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C’River Govt’ll Take Full Responsibility For Obsequies Of Dr Joseph Wayas
Cross River State Government has assured that it would take full responsibility for the Obsequies of the late former Nigeria Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas.
The Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Peter Odey gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of The Who Is Who Forum of Northern Cross River State, a pan regional forum of the nuclear old Ogoja area comprising Obanliku, Obudu, Bekwarra, Ogoja and Yala local government areas.
Odey, himself an aborigine of the area, expressed happiness and satisfaction with the forum and its effort to ensure that our late Elder statesman, Dr Joseph Wayas be laid to rest.
He informed the delegation of the State Governor’s willingness to partner with the pan Cross River North Forum to give the late Former Senate President a befitting burial. He however, admonished the Forum to also reciprocate the state government’s goodwill by ensuring that all gray areas be it from the family or otherwise, are clear to forestall a reoccurrence of the previous failed attempt by the former Governor to accord the deceased a befitting rite of passage.
Speaking earlier during introduction, Elder Agba Ebenezer Agba, a member of the delegation, described the delegation as an emissary from the Village Square of Cross River North, with a Community message of great importance and urgent attention. He however stated that the delegation is not a parallel body to the existing state government burial committee for the same purpose, but a community based body representing the interest of the good people of Cross River North. Elder Agba concluded by calling on the Chairman of the WWCRN burial committee to present the report of the committee’s findings.
The Chairman of the WWCRN Burial Committee of late Dr Joseph Wayas, His Lordship, Rtd Chief Justice of Cross River State, an Eminent Jurist, Justice Maurice Eneji, briefed the Deputy Governor of the findings of the Community based Committee on the Burial that, the Committee’s delegation has verified and confirmed that the Corpse of our dear Elder Statesman, Dr Joseph Wayas GCON, is still preserved in a private Morgue in UK. Also that one of the major reasons for the failed attempt to conduct the burial was family feud and assured the Deputy Governor that the Committee has been able to allay the fears of marginalization by some key family members.
Justice Maurice Eneji also informed the Deputy Governor that sum financing will be needed to repatriate the corpse back to Nigeria for Burial.
The Committee Chairman presented the hard copy of the report to the Deputy Governor.
In a vote of thanks, Prof. Joseph Akawau Ushie, another front line member of the Forum, extolled the virtues of the Deputy Governor which he said is founded on his humble disposition. He charged him to remain steadfast in such a worthy Frame of mind so that everybody from Cross River North will see a rallying point in him just as it is with the case of the late Senate President Dr Joseph Wayas whose name became synonymous with the Ogoja people. He assured the Deputy Governor of the unalloyed cooperation and loyalty of the delegation towards the actualization of the immediate project of the region and even any other one in the future.
Other Members of the Burial Committee resident in Calabar who were part of the delegation to the Deputy Governor include; Chief Dr Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe, Convener of the Forum, Chief Dr Peter Ojie, Mrs Catherine Agba-Ajibike, Sir Jude Ogar, Mr Emmanuel Adarikwu, Dr Oshie Okang, Ms Dorathy Igbodor, Comrade Ben Ogrinya and Mrs Alice Achi.
As a prelude to the courtesy call on the Deputy Governor, a meeting of the WWCRN members resident in Calabar held on Tuesday, 5th of March, 2024 at Rtd Justice Maurice Eneji’s residence to appraise the Committee’s work so far and restrategize for optimal success.
It would be recalled that the late former Senate President died on November 30, 2021 in a London medical facility. He was aged 80 years.
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NDDC At 25: Cross River’s Cynthia Oloko, 19, Emerges Second Place Winner At Miss Niger Delta 2025
...Deputy Governor, APC Chairman, and Senators Celebrate Her with Generous Cash Gifts
Miss Cynthia Iyowogoga Oloko, a 19-year-old from Cross River State, has emerged as the first runner-up (second place) at the Miss Niger Delta 2025 beauty pageant. The event, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Cynthia, a final-year student of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where she studies Human Anatomy, competed alongside nine other contestants representing the nine states of the Niger Delta—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
Crowned with the title “Pride of the Niger Delta”, Cynthia received a cash prize of ₦7.5 million for placing second in the pageant.
In recognition of her achievement and the pride she has brought to Cross River State, several political leaders and dignitaries extended their support. The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Dr Peter Odey, gifted her ₦3 million, the APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, contributed ₦1 million, while the state’s two Senators jointly supported her with another ₦3 million—bringing her total cash reward to ₦14.5 million.
According to the organisers, all nine contestants underwent intensive training and were empowered with skills and starter kits to help them become self-reliant and impactful in their communities.
The Miss Niger Delta pageant is designed not just as a beauty contest, but as a platform to empower young women across the region. It aims to nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development among participants. The initiative is rooted in the belief that empowering women is key to building stronger families, communities, and society at large.
Many past participants have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders. The programme, sponsored by the NDDC, is part of its commitment to identifying and nurturing young talents in the region.
This year’s overall winner received a brand-new car and ₦10 million, while the second runner-up (third place) received ₦5 million. The remaining six contestants each received ₦1 million as a consolation prize.
Miss Cynthia Oloko was born in 2005 to Engr. and Mrs Cosmas Oloko Ekawu. She attended Trailblazers Academy in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Her hobbies include swimming, running, networking, and travelling. She aspires to build a career in entrepreneurship and politics, with a strong passion for leadership and community development.
Congratulations Miss Cynthia
The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, Hon Dr Fred Okem has dissolved all revenue agencies operating in the Council with effect from 31st December 2024.
Hon Dr Fred Okem, Chairman Yala Local Government Area
This was contained in a release on Monday 6th January 2025 by the Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unah.
The Chairman also cautioned that anyone who flouts the directive would be handed over to the security agencies for proper action in line with relevant laws.
The local government helmsman is expected to reposition the revenue agencies with the aim of boosting internally generated revenue in the council for adequate measures towards the development of Yala in line with the People First Agenda of the State government.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Ms. Grace Ike, has been named Nigeria’s Media Personality of the Year 2024. This prestigious recognition was conferred by the Editorial Board of Good Governance Today Nigeria at a grand ceremony held at the National Merit House, Abuja.
NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike
In addition to the honour, Ms. Ike was inducted into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame—a testament to her exemplary contributions to leadership and professional journalism in Nigeria.
The award acknowledges Ms. Ike’s uncommon leadership qualities and her unwavering commitment to advancing journalism as a tool for national development. Her selfless service to humanity, her state and the nation has made her a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.
Speaking at the event, the organiser and the managing editor of Governance Today , mr Sylvester Abudu Omose commended Ms. Ike’s visionary leadership and her remarkable strides in reshaping the landscape of journalism in Nigeria. Her relentless dedication to using journalism to advocate for transparency, justice, and public enlightenment was described as both inspiring and transformative.
“Ms. Grace Ike’s achievements transcend the ordinary. She has redefined what it means to serve humanity through journalism. Her work exemplifies the power of the media in fostering societal progress and governance,” the board stated.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Ike represented by one of her media aides, mr Ademola Adepoju expressed her gratitude for the recognition and attributed her success to the collective efforts of her team at NUJ FCT Council and the support of stakeholders in the journalism community. She reiterated her commitment to promoting ethical journalism and upholding the values of truth, accountability, and service to humanity.
“This award is not just a recognition of my efforts but a call to do even more. Journalism is the lifeline of democracy, and we must continue to use it to uphold justice and transparency for the betterment of our society,” Ms. Ike remarked.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the media, government and civil society, who lauded Ms. Ike’s achievements and pledged continued support for initiatives that promote good governance and ethical journalism in Nigeria.
As Ms. Grace Ike steps into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame, her legacy as a leader, journalist, and advocate for humanity continues to inspire a new generation of professionals committed to making a difference in their communities and the nation at large.
