From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has reshuffled his cabinet in a strategic move aimed at reinvigorating governance and positioning his administration for greater efficiency as it enters the electioneering phase.

The decision, announced at an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council in Calabar, saw some commissioners redeployed to new ministries while others retained their portfolios in recognition of their outstanding performance.

The Governor described the exercise as a deliberate recalibration of government machinery to consolidate the gains of his administration and accelerate the delivery of his People First agenda.

Addressing members of the Executive Council, Governor Otu emphasized that the reshuffling was neither punitive nor a reward system but a necessary leadership instrument designed to align talent with evolving governance priorities. “Government is a living institution; it must constantly adjust to new realities.

Otu maintained that the exercise is about injecting fresh energy, maximizing individual strengths, and ensuring that every member of this cabinet remains focused on the larger vision of transforming Cross River State. We have crossed the threshold of foundation-laying; this is the season of consolidation and accelerated delivery,” the Governor declared.

The Governor reminded council members that with the administration approaching another electoral cycle, the expectations of citizens had become even higher, insisting that only measurable performance, innovation, and unwavering commitment to public service would define the legacy of his government. “Electioneering must never distract us from governance.

The people will judge us, not by slogans, but by roads constructed, hospitals revitalized, schools improved, jobs created, and the quality of life we have enhanced. Every commissioner must see his or her ministry as a performance centre. There is absolutely no room for complacency,” he charged.

Governor Otu further urged members to regard their new assignments as opportunities for renewed service rather than personal victories or setbacks, stressing that collective success remained the administration’s ultimate objective.

“There are no superior or inferior ministries. Every portfolio is strategic because every ministry touches the lives of our people. Whether you have been reassigned or retained, your mandate remains unchanged to serve with integrity, discipline, creativity, and absolute loyalty to the people of Cross River State.

History will remember results, not titles,” he stated.

The Governor also called for stronger collaboration across ministries, departments, and agencies, noting that the complexities of modern governance demanded teamwork rather than institutional rivalry.

“This administration must continue to speak with one voice and work with one purpose. Let us eliminate bureaucratic silos, deepen inter-ministerial cooperation, and pursue every policy with urgency and accountability.

The confidence of our people is our greatest political capital, and we must justify it every single day through visible, impactful governance,” he said.

Members of the Executive Council welcomed the Governor’s decision, describing the reshuffle as timely and reflective of his determination to strengthen governance ahead of the next phase of the administration.

The renewed cabinet configuration is expected to inject fresh momentum into policy implementation, reinforce institutional efficiency, and sharpen the government’s development agenda, as Governor Otu reaffirmed his commitment to building “a stronger, more prosperous, and more united Cross River where performance remains the only enduring currency of public service.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday donated two vehicles and other medical equipment to Kaduna State College of Nursing Sciences in Pambegua and Tudun Wada.

Speaking at the handover event in Kaduna, the WHO official, Dr.

Furera Zakari, said the support was made possible through the generous funding of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Education and Skills for Health Transformation Initiative (ESHTI) project.

Zakari commended the sustained commitment of the FCDO to strengthening health systems and investing in the future of healthcare in Nigeria.

Zakari said a strong health system begins with a well-trained, competent and motivated health workforce.

According to Zakari, nurses and midwives remain the backbone of health care delivery, particularly at the primary healthcare level,where they provide essential services to millions of people every day.

“Recognising this important role, WHO and FCDO undertook comprehensive resource and risk assessment at the college of nursing science in Pambegua and Tudun Wada campuses.

“These assessments identified several gaps affecting teaching, practical skills acquisition, learning environments and institutional capacity.

”Based on these findings, a comprehensive package of interventions was developed to address the identified needs and support the colleges in meeting the required standards for nursing education.”

She listed the equipment donated to include two brand new school buses; one for each campus, medical simulation and clinical training equipment, ICT equipment, desktop computers, and solar power systems generators.

Others included, library furniture and educational resources, office furniture and equipment, classroom furniture, fire safety equipment and hostel furniture and fittings.

She said the investment represents more than physical assets and will significantly improve mobility for students and faculty during academic and clinical training activities.

According to her, the additional equipment will strengthen teaching and learning, improve practical skills acquisition and create a more conducive environment for producing competent nurses and midwives.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmed appreciated the partners for the equipment donated assuring them of proper utilisation.

She said proper deployment, maintenance and security will be given to the equipment for continuous benefits of future generations of healthcare professionals.

The commissioner assured them of continuous partnership in strengthening health systems, improving health workforce capacity, and advancing universal access to quality healthcare services.

In her speech, the Director Nursing Services, Naomi Kukah said the equipment are prerequisite to accreditation and for practicals.

Kukah said the vehicles will improve mobility for students and faculty academic and clinical training activities.

The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and death sentence of Abu Umar, for stabbing a man to death during a fight.

In the Certified True Copy of the judgment of the Supreme Court made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja, Justice Jummai-Hannatu Sankey, held that the appeal filed by Umar, lacked merit.

The panel affirmed the July 22, 2020 decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna State which upheld the death sentence handed down to Umar by the High Court of Justice, Kaduna State, on Dec.

14, 2017, about nine years after conviction.

The apex court agreed with the arguments of counsel to Kaduna State Government, Emmanuel Ekpenyong Esq.

of the law firm of Fred-Young & Evans LP.

In the respondent’s brief, Ekpenyong, who was granted a fiat to appear for the prosecution by the state’s Attorney General, argued that with the evidence led by the prosecution at the trial court, the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Umar, who was the appellant, had appealed against the unanimous verdict of the Appeal Court in Kaduna which affirmed the judgment of the Kaduna State High Court in charge number: KDH/KAD/29C/2016.

The state government charged Umar with culpable homicide punishable with death under Section 221(b) of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State.

Umar was alleged to have on June 25, 2015, at Tafa Town in Niger State, stabbed one Abdulkadir Abubakar, on the right side of his chest with a knife during a fight.

Abubakar was said to have died shortly at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Hospital in Sabon Wuse, Niger State, where he was taken to.

The appellant was apprehended at the crime scene and taken to the police station at Tafa, Niger State.

After the investigation at the police station at Tafa Town, the matter was later transferred to the Anti-Homicide Section, Kaduna State CID of the Nigerian Police Force, for further investigation.

Upon conclusion of investigation, Umar was charged at Kaduna State High Court on one count on Feb. 29, 2016 of the offence of culpable homicide and was arraigned before Justice G.I. Kurada.

In proving the charge, the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered three exhibits, including the knife which Umar allegedly used to stab Abubakar, before closing its case.

On his part, Umar, in line with his constitutionally guaranteed rights, decided to rest his case on that of the prosecution.

Thus, the defendant neither testified for himself nor did he adduce evidence through witnesses or other hard forms of evidence.

After evaluating the evidence presented before the court, Justice Kurada found Umar guilty as charged and proceeded to convict and sentence him accordingly.

The appellant approached the Appeal Court with his notice of appeal filed on Jan. 23, 2018.

In its judgment on July 22, 2020, the Appeal Court dismissed the appeal and upheld the judgment of the trial court.

Dissatisfied with the decision, the appellant, through his lawyer, Umar Galadima Esq., filed a notice of appeal on Aug. 19, 2020.

In his brief of argument marked: SC/CR/499/2022, Galadima raised a sole issue for determination.

The lawyer asked, “whether the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal were not wrong when they affirmed the decision of the trial court on the ground that the respondent proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.”

Delivering the lead judgment, which was unanimously concurred by other justices, Justice Sankey sustained Ekpenyong’s arguments.

She held that the prosecution, through the eye-witness’ accounts of the 2nd prosecution witness (PW2), a police officer; PW-3, the father of Abubakar, and Exhibit 1, the extra-judicial confessional statement of Umar, proved the three ingredients of the offence he was charged for.

The judge opined that “the appellant has raised a dust storm over the absence of a medical report to establish the death of the deceased.”

According to her, however, the law is since settled that where death was instant, or within a short time after, mostly within 24 hours after the incident leading to the death, the need for medical report becomes otiose.

Justice Sankey said: “In the circumstance of this case, medical evidence ceases to take a paramount place, the deceased having died a mere one hour and thirty minutes from his admission in the hospital.”

The judge held that the appellant sealed his fate and shot himself in the foot when he rested his case on that of the respondent.

“From the entire analysis of the case of the respondent at the trial court, it was clear that the prosecution had discharged the burden placed on it by law to establish the guilt of the appellant beyond reasonable doubt.

“Unfortunately, the appellant, who was all through the proceedings represented by counsel, was ill-advised to rest his case on the very evidence which conclusively established his guilt.

“It is for these reasons that I resolve the sole issue for determination against the appellant and in favour of the respondent.

“Consequently, I find this appeal sorely lacking in merit. It fails and is dismissed,” she held.