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Cross River APC Demands Return of Nat’l Women Leader Position, Meet Ganduje
…want Tinubu’s intervention
By Ebriku John Friday
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Cross River State led by Dame Senator Florence Ita-Giwa on Thursday, had an exhaustive meeting with the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and strongly appealed for the return of the position of the National Women Leader back the state.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the state Chairman of the Party in Cross River State, Barr Alphonsus Ogar Eba, said a letter has been written to the leader of the party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and noted that they have received assurance from the national chairman that the issues would be amicably resolved.
Eba also called members of the party in the state to remain calm, noting that the state governor, Sen Prince Bassey Otu, has been fully briefed and has cut short his holiday to return to the country and he is on top of the situation.
He Eba, said: “We the leadership of the Cross River State All Progressives Congress, APC, make our stand known on the purported move by some party chieftains to take away the National Women Leader position from Cross River State to Edo and Delta States.
“Yesterday (Wednesday) the National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, came out and against due process for the Office of APC National Women Leader, which hitherto was occupied by Dr Mrs Betta Edu, was purportedly zoned to Edo State with Absolute disregard to Article 31.5 of APC Constitution, which is our guiding rules.
“But in a civilized democracy aggrieved persons can only channel their grievances through the appropriate quarters.
“Today, we have come to the National Chairman to inform him of this infraction and we have also written to Mr President to say that the National Women Leader position is commonly shared between Cross River and Akwa-Ibom. Edo and Delta presently have an NWC position, which is the National Publicity Secretary.
“You cannot take our position to over-rate us and overenriching Edo State, and by the grace of God the National Chairman of our party has assured us and asked us to be patient that this matter will be resolved.
“Our Governor is leaving his holiday and vacation to return back so that we can resolve this issue, we don’t want trouble, and Cross River State is the only APC State in the entire South-South, we are providing leadership, and we are using this opportunity to appeal to every Cross Riverian that this matter would be resolved amicably.
“They are comparing the in comparables; Government position has nothing to do with party position, it is the APC Constitution that guides the issue of zoning, it is the Nigerian Constitution that guides issues of ministerial appointment. Most States in the South-South have had two ministers we are only lucky that for the first time Cross River State now have two ministers and we are thankful to Mr President who found them worthy.
“But this cannot take the place of our rightful entitlement and I have explained you are taking woman leadership from Cross River and Akwa-Ibom to add to Edo and Delta that have National Publicity Secretary and Assistant Treasurer and other NWC positions, it’s like ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’, and this is a party of equity and justice and injustice cannot stand, and we trust in the principles of Mr President, he would not allow this to happen.”
It will would be recalled that a delegation of Cross River Stakeholders, led by the indomitable Dame Senator Florence Ita Giwa, were on a solidarity visit to the National Chairman of the APC, HE Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
The purpose of the visit was to address the ongoing saga involving the ceding of the office of National Women Leader of the party reserved for Cross River and Akwa Ibom to Edo state. The delegation maintained that, after the elevation of Dr. Betta Edu to the office of Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the president had approved that another Cross Riverian in the person of Hon Dr Mrs Stella Odey Ekpo should replace her. But the state was arm twisted and the office zoned to Edo State without due process and the name of Dr Stella Odey Ekpo was replaced with Dr Mary Alile Alele. This, they believed, is an infraction and an attempt to deprive Cross River state of its right and as stakeholders, they were there to ensure that justice is served.
In the delegation were other notable stakeholders of the party and top government functionaries of Cross River State along with the State Chairman of APC, Cross River State, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, the Senator representing the Central Senatorial District, Sen. Williams Eteng Jones and the chief of staff to the governor of Cross River State, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, and Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey, House of Representatives member representing Calabar South/Akpabuyo/ Bakassi Federal Constituency.
Others include, member representing Ikom /Boki federal constituency, Hon. Victor Abang, High Chief Higgins Peters, honourable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Helen Isamoh Egodo, Honourable Commissioner for Information, Hon Erasmus Ekpang, former Commissioner for LG Affairs, Hon. Stella Odey, Rt Hon Regina Anyogo, Chief Victor Effiom Ekpo, High Chief Tony Undiandeye and Hon Gabriel Bravo Oluohu amongst others.
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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.
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