COSON drags Calabar Carnival Commission to court

                                     

The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has filled a five billion naira legal action against the Cross River State Carnival Commission, the Governor of Cross River State and the Attorney General of the state.

Cross River Water Schemes Hits N5.4 Billion

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State said yesterday that his government has spent over N5.4 billion to construct, expand and modernize water works in Ikom and Itigidi communities in the central senatorial district of the state.

US-based medical professionals treat 4,000 patients free in C/River

No fewer than 4,000 people in Cross River State have benefitted from the free medical treatment
rendered by medical professionals from the state who are based in the United States.
The professionals, under the aegis of US-based Diaspora Medical Mission Volunteers, organised the
free treatment in conjunction with the Efik National Association.
Head of the medical team, Dr Patricia Bassey, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Calabar, that 4,000 patients were treated and given drugs for various ailments.
“However, many of the patients were referred while others were counselled during the two-week exercise which took place in the three senatorial districts of
the state,” Bassey said.
Another member of the group, Mr Paul Duke, said they embarked on the programme to assist the
patients who could not afford their medical bills in hospitals.

Imoke Flags off Construction of 105-bed Calabar Specialist Hospital

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has flagged off the construction of 105-bed Calabar Specialist Hospital which is billed for commissioning in March 2015. Located within Summit Hills, Imoke disclosed it is the realization of the state’s dream to provide first- class, world standard health care to Cross River and right across the state in partnership with UCL Health Care Services to achieve its drive, passion and commitment to the facility. According to Imoke: “We are acutely aware of the immense importance of this project, which will not only transform the medical landscaped of the state but will also ultimately enlarge the profile of healthcare delivery in the region and country at large. The ultimate aim is to make Calabar synonymous with the best quality health care available in the country, on par with anything which can be attained in any other part of the world at a substantially reduced cost.” The governor explained that the health care sector in the country has been much maligned over the years and is plagued with series of challenges related to professional competencies in infrastructural, operational and managerial capacities. He stated that as an additional implication to the death of health Care services, there is a vast increase in the importation of health care services not only in Europe, but surprising also from countries such as India, The UAE, South Africa and Egypt, adding that the problem is further compounded by the fact that even those who can afford to pay for healthcare cannot get the value for money that they desire. Imoke said: “Upon completion, the Calabar Specialist Hospital will offer a comprehensive package of secondary, gynaecology, obstetrics, paediatrics, internal medicine, General surgery, orthopaedics’ laboratory services, basic neology and basic cardiology with plans to extend to oncology in the near future. “In addition to resident specialization, the hospital is expected to offer health care through specialist missions in dermatology, urology, eye surgery as well as advanced dental surgery. There will also be gatekeeper clinic offering primary health care services and also to serve as a referral mechanism for the specialist hospital.” The cost of the hospital is N6.4 billion with the state government’s capital contribution set at N3.2 billion while the balance of the financial requirement will be sourced by the concessionaire, UCL HealthCare Services Limited, as its equity contribution to project in true spirit of Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Court convicts fake INEC staff in Cross River

A magistrate court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a 24 year old man, Obot Silas, to six months in jail with hard labour for parading himself as a staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Motorcycles completely banned in Calabar Metropolis

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross State has issued an executive order banning the use of motorcycles within the Calabar, the state capital, and its environs.
In a statement issued by the State Security Adviser, Mr. Rekpene Bassey, the governor said any violation of the order will attract appropriate and severe penalty.
It read, “Governor Liyel Imoke has issued an executive order of total ban on the use of motorcycles within Calabar and its environs. This order comes into full force with October 25.
“Consequently, any violation of this order will attract appropriate and severe penalties, including the
impounding of the bikes irrespective of whether or not the rider is wearing crash helmet.
“This action is in the interest of safety, security and welfare of all persons in the state capital, particularly following the persistent abuse of exemption accorded bike owners and users by the governor.”
The statement however pointed out that there were arrangements to grant special passes and identification to persons performing special duties requiring the use of motorcycles including courier services.

Happy Birthday to High Chief Edem Duke

High Chief, Edem Duke, the minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, turns 58yrs today. He hails from AKPABUYO LGA in Cross River State. He is a Recipient and fellow of NIPR President's Award for Excellence; and fellow Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria. He is also a recipient of several Awards from the NLC, NAEC, NUJ, NBA, NIA, OPEC, Mboho Nkparawa Ibibio, Annang Community and several other Institutions. In 1987, Edem Married Helen Essien at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church. They are blessed with four children, Edward, Ann, Henry and Desmond. He is An illustrious Efik son in whom we are well pleased. www.madeincalabar.com wishes you a happy birthday.

Mudslide cant stop Obudu Mountain Race- Commissioner

Cross River State State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, has debunked rumours making the rounds that the annual Obudu Mountain race scheduled to take place on Nov. 23 this year may not take place again due to last week’s landslide at the ranch.

Tourists, Villagers Stranded AsLandslide Blocks Obudu Resort

A landslide has blocked road access to the popular Obudu Mountain Resort located in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State.
On Thursday the residents of the surrounding communities said that the movement of the earth by the
side of the mountain on Wednesday had sent an avalanche of boulders and earth from the mountainous areas, which blocked the road leading to the top of the
mountain where the resort is located.
The incident occurred close to the bottom of the mountain, where three villages namely Anamkpe, Kejiko and Okumo are situated.
The situation, which has left several people stranded at the top of the mountain, however, recorded no fatalities, according to the source.
The source said no fewer than five noticeable slides occurred at different spots in the three villages
surrounding the mountain.
He said, “About five landslides have been noticed in the three villages around the mountain. Fortunately, there have not been reports of fatalities from the locals at the top of the mountain.”
Efforts were being made by the State Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Air Force to evacuate people from the mountain top as of the time this report.
Locals, familiar with the terrain of the mountains, were already finding their way down through the bush tracks.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Sandy Onor, said they were still trying to clear the area and take stock of the event.
Onor said, “It is not a situation that should create too much anxiety. Once we get all the facts together, we will speak to the press. What I can say for now is that it is not anything to create undue anxiety at all.”
The clearing of the debris is estimated to take two weeks, a local, who requested anonymity, said.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State Government has assured the general public that the Obudu Mountain Resort remains a safe environment to regular and intending tourists.
The annual Obudu Mountain Race is billed for the third week of November.

Council Polls hold today in Cross River-Court

                                 

The entire state is agog today, based on the ruling by The High Court in Calabar, yesterday, that it had the jurisdiction to entertain the case instituted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) for excluding them from participating in the local government elections, just as the electoral body insisted the election would go on. 

10 days to Cross River Movies Awards: Predict & Win!

                                             
       
www.madeincalabar.com is giving out FREEBIES to our readers who can guess winners at the forth coming Cross River Movies Award.

Cross River Movie Awards Unveiled in style

The organizers of the maiden edition of the Cross River River Movie Awards hosted a Press Briefing today, Saturday September 14th, 2013 in Calabar.

Igoni Archibong grabs City People Award

Imoke praised for Calabar camping of Golden Eaglets

                                                           

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as well as the Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Manu Garba (MFR), has described the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke (CON) as an exceptional father-figure following his tacit approval for the Golden Eaglets’ camping in the idyllic Calabar Municipality yet again.

Imoke turns pastor, as Calabar stands still for Youth Swagger Concert

                                                   

The main bowl of the Cultural Center was filled to overflowing for Youth Swagger, an annual concert organized by Her Excellency Barr. Obioma Liyel Imoke to tutor and mentor Cross River Youths.