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High Chief Higgins Peters Buries Younger Sister, Juliana Amidst Tears, Tributes In Cross River
By Ebriku John Friday
The CEO of Opal Group and notable stakeholder of Cross River State project, High Chief Higgins Peters (the Emoma and Akpa Owo of Yala land) has buried his younger sister, late Mrs Juliana Akpowu Ezekiel (Nee Peters) amidst tears, prayers and tributes.
Late Mrs Juliana who passed away on January 3 , 2024 after battle with brain cancer was buried on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Oba-Okpoma, Yala Local Government Area of the state.
Born on September 22, 1966, the late Mrs Juliana lived a remarkable life of devotion and selfless service to God and humanity through the children’s ministry wherein she served for the last 38 years of her life in different capacities as teacher, minister, coordinator and counselor until her demise.
At the funeral service held at the ancestral home in Oba-Okpoma, Yala LGA, Cross River State Governor, Sen Prince Bassey Otu and his deputy, Rt Hon. Peter Odey, who were represented by Ntufam Dr. Peter Ojie (former Senior Special Adviser on Political Affairs to former Governor Ben Ayade), while commiserating with High Chief Higgins Peters and other members of the family, said that her entrepreneurial spirit, motherly role and commitment to community development would be missed.
Noting that her memory will undoubtedly be cherished, and her impact on the lives she touched will forever remain source of inspiration and that the deceased a devout Christian, her moral conduct was such that other Christians are proud of and extended their heartfelt condolences to High Chief Higgins Peters and the entire family as well as the people of Yala. And urged the family to be comforted that Mrs. Juliana is resting in the bosom of Abraham.
High Chief Higgins Peters in his tribute titled ‘An Ode to Juliana’ said, “Juliana you knew the battle was intense , your soldier were strong, our courage and resolve to win was firm. You fought alone, we fought collectively as a family, we fought in silence, we fought in prayers and we fought in science. We assembled the best arsenals in medical science in our country, we confronted death and made it look weak but the call form your home.coming came from an authority we could not confront.”
He said, my younger sister died very young. Her mother is still alive, he mother’s elder sister is still alive and her mother’s younger sister is still alive. I her elder brother and other siblings are still alive. It is on this note that we make the burial a very solemn one.
Speaking during the funeral service, Pastor Matthew Sani Ochejoh described the late Mrs Juliana as a wonderful woman, who loved and served God unreservedly and that she lived a life of impact and touched everyone whose path crosses with her positively.
The funeral attracted dignitaries and political leaders from within and outside the State. Notable attendees included Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Deputy Speaker Hon. Sylvester Agabi Jnr, Senator Eteng Jones Williams, representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, H.E Amb. Sony Abang, Chief Chris Agara, Chief EJ Williams, Ntufam Dr Peter Ojie, Hon Odey Brian Minority Leader Cross River State House of Assembly and member representing Yala 1 State Constituency, Hon Victor Abang House of Representatives member representing Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency, Senator Stephen Odey, former Senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Commissioner for Education, Dr Mrs. Beatrice Igwe, Commissioner for Housing, Mrs Agnes Atsu Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Hippolatus Lukpata, and Mr. Patrick Egbede commissioner for wealth Creation and Employment
Others are Hon. Dr. Thomas Aruku member of Cross River State House of Assembly representing Ogoja State Constituency, Hon Cyril Omini, Signor Omang Idiege Ada Bekwarra 2, Nice. AVM Clement Ogbeche, AIG John Abang, AIG Paul Odama, Chief Martin Ojeka.
High Chief Thomas Udam, former VC of UNICAL Prof. Zana Akpagu, Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata as well as former and current members of the State Executive Council, National/State Assembly Members and other former and present government appointee and others too numerous to mention
The funeral buried political difference across the state as all politicians across political lines sent in their condolences including Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe senator representing Cross River North, Hon. Godwin Offiono House of Representatives member representing Ogoja Yala Federal Constituency, and Hon Peter Akpanke representing Obanliku Bekwarra Obudu Federal Constituency.
Also in attendance were Traditional and Religious leaders and various high-ranking government officials and friends from business community.
The funeral was marked by solemnity, heartfelt tributes, and testimonies celebrating a life well lived for God.
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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.
