NEWS
Otu Inaugurates 10-year Development Plan for Cross River State
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has inaugurated a ten year development plan counting from the current year, 2024 to the year 2033.
The initiative is a product of the partnership between the State Planning Commission and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The event took place at the Metropolitan Hotel Calabar with the Deputy Governor Rt.
Hon. Peter Odey, representing the Governor.The Governor disclosed that the State Development Plan (SDP) is a clear-cut strategy aimed at promoting sustainable, equitable, and inclusive growth and development in Cross River State.
The four-section plan is designed to address the state’s unique challenges and improve the material well-being of its citizens.
The booklet, which is 130-pages, contains the State Plans; divided into nine chapters and four sections. The first section outlines the objectives of the State Development Plan, while the second section identifies the state’s development challenges, focusing on infrastructure, social welfare, governance, and environmental sustainability.
The third section provides an analysis of root causes and identifies bottlenecks, and the final section highlights the potentials, opportunities, and key pillars of the State Development Plan.
Vouching strongly for the plan’s anticipated results, Governor Otu noted the importance of leveraging existing planning documents, such as State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS), Local Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LEEDS), Growth and Development Strategy (GDS), the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), the National Development Plan, and the Human Capital Development (HCD) Vision 2030.
“This plan addresses our state’s developmental challenges, including non-inclusive economic growth, infrastructure deficits, climate change, poverty, limited fiscal space, unemployment, inequality, and other forms of human deprivation. The monitoring and evaluation framework built into the plan to assist in tracking progress over the plan period is highly commendable. I sincerely commend UNICEF for the great assistance rendered to the state in the formulation of this development plan, as well as other actors who have contributed in various ways to the drafting of the State Development Plan,” he added.
Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the State Planning Commission, Dr. Bong Duke, also applauded UNICEF for conceptualizing and initiating the idea of the State Development Plan and for providing the necessary support to bring it to fruition.
“We sincerely appreciate the contributions of the Heads of Local Government Areas (HOLGAs), Youth Groups, Farmers Associations, Women Groups, and everyone who played a role in formulating this Development Plan. Your input has been invaluable at every stage, and we look forward to the positive impact this plan will have on our state,” he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iran to conclude an agreement with Washington on its controversial nuclear programme, amid a series of Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities and military leaders.
“There is still time to make this slaughter come to an end,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday.
“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire,” Trump continued.
“JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”Observers consider it unlikely that Iran’s leadership would opt for a diplomatic approach in light of the Israeli attacks.
Israeli media reported that Tehran had retaliated with an attack involving about 100 drones, all of which were shot down.
“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal,” Trump wrote.
“The U.S. makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come and they know how to use it,” Trump wrote. (dpa/NAN)
The Federal Government on Thursday condoled the Indian government over the tragic crash of Air India Flight-171 in Ahmedabad.The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of theMinistry.Tuggar said, “Nigeria expresses profound sorrow and extends its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India over the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
“This devastating incident which claimed the lives of over 290 individuals has left the global community in mourning. “Nigeria stands in solidarity with India during this period of immense grief and unfortunate loss.“While initial reports indicate no Nigerian citizen was aboard the flight, the Nigeria High Commission in New Delhi remains in close contact with Indian authorities to verify this information and provide consular assistance where necessary.“In this moment of shared sorrow, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to global aviation safety and supports the call for thorough investigation into the crash with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future.”The minister further commiserated with the families of the bereaved and all those affected by this tragic incident. (NAN)
The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, has advised youths in the state to participate actively in the economic and political development of the country.Dajoh gave the advice in his Democracy Day message issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Terver Zamber, in Makurdi.
The speaker urged youths to show more interest in the economic and political development of the country. He said that they had the required education, exposure, and numerical strength to make a positive impact on both the economy and governance. Dajoh assured the youths that the assembly under his leadership would continue to enact laws to protect democracy and the rule of law.The speaker urged Nigerians to be more determined in ensuring that democracy worked in the country.He said that democracy remained the best option for the country.The speaker added that through the determination of the citizens and their active participation in the democratic process, Nigeria would be a great country.He saluted the heroic deeds of patriots who worked assiduously to actualise democratic rule in the country, especially the symbol of the June 12 struggle, the late M.K.O. Abiola.According to him, only a truly great, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria could be a befitting compensation for their sacrifices.He commended President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue for their roles in upholding democratic principles.Dajoh said that more sacrifices were required from the citizens to ensure that the country got the best of democracy. (NAN)
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