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University of Cross River Community Defends VC and Management
By Joseph Bassey
Concerned members of the University of Cross River community across the four University campuses, have issued a stern warning against mischief-makers, who are scripting malicious news aimed at discrediting and distracting the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Austin Austine Angba whom they described as a ‘God sent’ leader to the institution of learning.
The warning which came in a press statement, by several members of the University community, cutting across Teaching and Non-teaching staff as well as students, claims that the faces behind the scandalous news items and actions are well known and will be called out, if they refuse to desist from such acts that are aimed at slowing down the VC and Management.
The statement wonders how any serious minded individual, will, for selfish reasons, set him or herself against an administration, “whose unrivaled performance, over the years is obvious to both the blind and the deaf”. The statement said, the University community, will not fold its hands and watch some few people drag the University back to the wood.
According to the group, rather than working at getting the young man lose focus, one had expected all hands to be on deck in raising the new banner of glory of the institution of learning.
“We, as concerned members of the University community will no longer tolerate these manufactured falsehood and concocted desperateness of these mischief makers to tarnish the image, character and personal integrity of Professor Austin Angba and his office as Vice-Chancellor of University of Cross River State”, the statement reads.
The heavily worded statement threw spanners on the alleged unpaid salaries and purported offshore livelihood published in the social/online media against Angba describing it further as concocted lies assembled by disgruntled elements who are not comfortable that, it is no longer ‘business as usual’ in the University.
“The arrears of unpaid salary is as a result of consistent strikes embarked upon by Staff which puts a complete stop to flow of IGR from students and had accumulated 3months (March, April and May 2022) because the subvention cannot pay all staff salary and subvention for the 8months strike period, Three months were arrears owed, one month of the arrears was paid long ago while the University started paying the second month Tuesday… A few of them perpetrating this mischief were still seen demonstrating on the street after being aware that the second month is being paid”.
“We are not unaware of the evil collaboration of few internal and external forces who are bent on tarnishing the hard earned reputation of the Vice Chancellor with a view to truncating his tenure. There has been no proper engagement with Management or Council over their welfare needs. Jumping to the streets negates internal dispute resolution mechanisms which conflicts with Union and labour laws”.
“Their desperate moves at causing disaffection in all their writing, did not escape our vigilant scrutiny, just as their intention to incite the University community against Angba and his Management remains crystal clear,” the statement reads in part.
“The university community berated the frantic attempt at playing down on the laudable achievements of the Vice Chancellor, saying such attempt is a manifestation of desperate wickedness that filled the hearts and minds of the conspirators. The action of going to the streets is an action taking against popular stand of Congress that the due process must be followed. Consequently, most of their members with the Union Chairmen backed out and did not participate. A few Staff took laws into their hands and incited a few members with similar personal interests or ignorance to the streets.
They described Professor Angba as a man with outstanding pedigree and strength of character, whom they encouraged to remain undeterred in his great vision and mission for the institution. Reiterating that spending Christmas vacation with his family abroad has nothing to do with owed salary as the VC travelled with personal funds.
“We know that, the mega sized humility of Angba coupled with his friendly disposition to staff and students alike are alien to us here, and this has kept the enemies of the professor of Agricultural Extension worrying. Hence their desperate moves to quell the joy and laughter that have pervaded this institution since when God sent Prof Angba to us,” the statement cleared.
The group commended Angba for his hard work at ensuring that several new academic programmes have been recently approved by NUC and successfully resource verification of 16 programmes and 26 accredited programmes for the University.
How about the recent University’s ranking of 7th position in Nigeria and 37th in Sub Sahara Africa by THE (Times Higher Education) Sub Sahara rankings. And list of uncountable achievements.
The perpetrators deliberately want to embarrass and provoke Unicross Management and the Government in power else they would have rather engaged all the internal stakeholders.
The group on a final note said they are beckoning on all good minded Cross Riverians to join forces with the Vice Chancellor, whom they said is the greatest gift of God to the University of Cross River State.
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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.
