Key leaders in the southern senatorial district of Cross River State have given their backing to the perennial agitation of their northern brethren for the creation of Ogoja State.

They gave this backing yesterday when both communities converged in Calabar upon the return of the delegation of the movement for Ogoja State from the Senate zonal hearing on amendment of federal constitution held in Ikot Ekpene few days ago.

The movement led by Papa Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe, coordinator of Who Is Who in Cross River North, had presented their memorandum to the panel during the plenary at Ikot Ekpene.

It will be recalled that this agitation many decades ago in the days of the Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers (COR) accord, still remains the only province that has not become a state despite its sheer size.

During his visit last year to Ogoja, Gov Bassey Otu said he is in full support for the perennial agitation, adding that the resources at the government cannot effectively develop that part of the state.

“I will try my best to deplore the little resources towards Ogoja development. I indeed understand your reasons for the state creation movement., which I support.”

Speaking at his palace, The Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, told the movement, “Cross River State is too big. For instance, I was supposed to attend the thanksgiving ceremony of the chairmen of the Council of Chiefs but I couldn’t because of distance,

“We need an Ogoja State. We even need three states from present day Cross River.”

At the meeting yesterday, the critical stakeholders of both Cross River north and south resolved to remain at peace and unity if the federal government decides in its good intentions to give create Ogoja State.

Leaders of the northern district came from these nine LGAs, Obanliku, Obudu, Bekwarra, Ogoja, Yala, Boki, Ikom, Etung, and Obubra – nine LGAs out of the 18 LGAs of the State.

Some of these LGAs are two times bigger than some states in the country, observed Cklaimz.

He further said, “Subsequent to yesterday’s deliberations with our brethren from the southern Region in Calabar, we, the nine LGAs of the future Ogoja State have unanimously agreed to separate amicably, as brothers, while maintaining a relationship founded on familial ties and mutual respect.

Famous Canadian rapper, Drake has added his voice to the ongoing debate over the superiority of US and UK rap.
According to him, the UK has the best rappers, stressing that no rapper from anywhere in the world can defeat English rappers in a rap battle.

Drake spoke midway into his headline performance at the Wireless Festival in London on Saturday night.

“When I talk about my love for London and London rappers -the best lyricists in the world. Mark my words. I don’t care about what anybody says, nobody can out-rap London. Nobody,” he said.

“No disrespect to America, no disrespect to my country, but nobody in the world can out-rap London rappers. This is the best, highest level. And this is what I inspires to be.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said President Bola Tinubu’s hasty and thoughtless removed fuel subsidy has triggered widespread economic hardship, with inflation, hunger, and despair worsening the living conditions of Nigerians.

This is even as he also condemned the arrest and continued detention of labour activist Comrade Andrew Uche Emelieze.

Atiku said his continued detention is an affront to democracy, a slap in the face of every Nigerian worker, and a chilling reminder of the authoritarian drift of the Tinubu administration.

In a statement released on Sunday, Atiku said the Tinubu’s promise to pay a N35,000 monthly wage award to federal workers as a temporary measure pending the agreement on a new minimum wage has become a broken covenant.

Comrade Emelieze was said to have been arrested and detained for attempting to organize a peaceful protest to demand the payment of the overdue wage awards.

However, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party lamented that it took the Tinubu’s administration a staggering 10 months to arrive at a new minimum wage figure.

“While several state governments have shown commendable responsibility in managing labour affairs,” Atiku stated, “the Tinubu-led Federal Government has distinguished itself by its utter disdain for workers’ welfare.”

He therefore called for the activist’s immediate and unconditional release, warning that the government’s approach reflects a growing authoritarian trend.

“Nigerian workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or forgotten,” Atiku said. “The economic hardship is real, the hunger is biting, and the government has a duty to act—not to repress.”