Negroid Haven (2026)

13/12/2025

PHEDC Says It Cannot Give Advance Notice of Outages Due to Vandalism Risks

The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) says it cannot issue advance public notices for power outages in Calabar, warning that doing so could expose electrical infrastructure to vandalism.

This was disclosed by Engr. Tom Udofia, PHEDC’s Regional Network Manager for Calabar, during the town hall meeting convened by Hon. Stanley Nsemo at the Cross River State House of Assembly to address tariff hikes and electricity supply issues.

Responding to complaints from residents who asked for timely updates whenever faults occur, Udofia said announcing outages on radio or social media could give criminals an opportunity to sabotage facilities.

“If I make the mistake of announcing outages publicly, you only know yourself—you don’t know the next person standing by you,” he said.
“We have seen situations where just one night without supply leads to vandalism. That is why we don’t announce outages.”

Udofia cited a recent incident in Federal Housing Estate where supply was out for one night, and by the next morning, vandals had removed a major component from the power line.

Residents had argued that PHEDC’s silence during prolonged outages leaves entire neighbourhoods unprepared and unable to plan alternative power sources. But Udofia insisted the company must weigh public communication against rising cases of transformer theft and cable cutting.

To address the communication gap, he proposed a controlled information channel through ward liaison officers, youth leaders, and community representatives, who would receive updates directly from PHEDC and relay them responsibly.

“We will create a central information pool. Communities can contact their ward leaders, who will have direct communication with our technical team,” he said.

The disclosure sparked debate among residents, with some insisting that PHEDC must develop safer ways of communicating outages without endangering infrastructure. Others accused the company of using vandalism as an excuse for poor customer relations.

The town hall continues to generate reactions as the House of Assembly considers next steps on oversight of electricity distribution operations in the state.
https://www.negroidhaven.com/2025/12/in-calabar-phedc-says-it-cannot-give-advance-notice-of-outages-due-to-vandalism-risks/

13/12/2025

Unity in Diversity: How Bunyà Wà Efut Brings Together Calabar’s Tribal Kings

Calabar’s cultural calendar is set to witness a historic moment this December as the maiden full-scale edition of Bunyà Wà Efut (Efut Day 2025) brings together the city’s frontline traditional rulers in an unprecedented show of unity.

For years, Efut celebrations were modest and community-centered. But the 2025 edition, organizers say, is designed to project a strong message of cohesion, collaboration, and peace among the major ethnic groups in Calabar. The Muri Tata-Ribu I, Prime Minister of Efut Nation and Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, HRH High Chief Efeffiong Nta Eke, Ph.D, emphasised that this gathering is as much political as it is cultural.

“This festival is about positioning the Efut people not only in the traditional landscape but also within the political and social fabric of Cross River state,” he said. “It is a statement of unity among our people, and it is a testament to the collaboration that exists with our neighbouring tribes.”

Indeed, the event is expected to host the three traditional rulers of old Calabar: the Muri Munene of the Efuts, the Obóng of Calabar, and the Ndidem of the Quas. Their joint presence signals a renewed commitment to mutual respect, collaboration, and conflict resolution across ethnic lines.

Chief Charles Offiong Obo, Secretary of the Planning Committee, highlighted the festival’s historical significance: “Far and near, we are putting our heads together to build a formidable Efut people. But this is also about celebrating peaceful coexistence with our neighbours. The presence of the Obóng of Calabar and the Ndidem of the Quas shows that tradition and diplomacy can go hand in hand.”

The festival also reflect the evolving role of traditional institutions in modern governance. By uniting these leaders under a single cultural platform, organizers hope to reinforce the Efut’s visibility in the state’s political and social spheres, while promoting broader community cohesion in the ancient port city of Calabar.

High Chief Nta Eke described Bunyà Wà Efut 2025 as a historic benchmark: “It is going to be very impactful. It will stand the test of time, showing that under certain leadership, we were able to bring together our kings, our people, and our heritage in a way that fosters peace, progress, and unity.”

As Cross Riverians and tourists prepare to witness the festival, Bunyà Wà Efut promises more than dance, music, and cultural displays. It is a bold statement: unity in diversity remains a defining strength of Calabar, and tradition can coexist with modernity to shape a peaceful, cohesive society.

Bunyà Wà Efut (Efut Day) celebration which is billed to hold on Saturday, December 13 is the homage to the Efut King, The Muri Munene, Tribal King, Natural Ruler and Grand Patriarch of Efut Nation to intensify a collective ideology of the Efut people and heighten the unity, peace and love amongst the Efuts of Calabar.

https://www.negroidhaven.com/2025/12/unity-in-diversity-how-bunya-wa-efut-brings-together-calabars-tribal-king

12/12/2025

Lawmaker Nsemo Pushes PHEDC for Direct Answers on Billing, Arrears Meter Faults

The Member representing Calabar Municipality State Constituency, Hon. Stanley Nsemo, on Tuesday pressed the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) for clear, direct explanations on persistent complaints regarding arbitrary billing, unexplained arrears, faulty meters and migration errors during a heated town hall held at the Cross River State House of Assembly NEGROIDHAVEN can report.

The meeting—convened by Nsemo following widespread public outcry—became tense as residents repeatedly demanded straightforward answers from PHEDC officials. At several points, the lawmaker had to intervene to keep the discussion focused.

“Please, let us hear the specific answers to the questions,” Nsemo insisted. “We don’t need them to dance left and right. We invited them here to answer directly.”

Residents had raised multiple grievances, including:

* Debts and arrears appearing on newly installed meters
* Two or more households being forced to share one meter
* Preloaded debts on meters registered under unknown names
* Bills rising from ₦35,000 to ₦106,000 after tariff reclassification
* Unresolved complaints lingering for months
* Cases where abandoned accounts from previous occupants were revived and transferred to new tenants.

Each time PHEDC’s representatives veered into general explanations, Nsemo redirected them, demanding specific clarifications on behalf of his constituents.

“We brought them here so they can answer these exact issues,” he said.
“Let them finish their explanations one by one. We cannot take 100 questions, but the ones raised must be answered properly.”

PHEDC’s Regional Customer Service Manager, Leo K**i, eventually conceded that some new meters were being installed with old, abandoned account debts, and admitted such cases must be handled “case-by-case.”

“We must establish whether the arrears are genuine,” he said. “If they are not, we have a reconciliation mechanism. But if they are valid debts, they must be paid.”

Nsemo also extracted key commitments from PHEDC region:

* No customer should pay for a meter going forward
* Anyone who already paid must receive the amount back as energy credit
* Complaints of wrongly assigned debts must be investigated individually
* Households sharing meters must be separated once meters arrive

Despite the disorderly atmosphere, the lawmaker maintained composure and urged patience, reminding residents that they had “waited this long for engagement” and should “wait a little longer for the answers that matter.”

The town hall ended with Nsemo promising continued oversight until every unresolved billing and metering issue is addressed.

https://www.negroidhaven.com/2025/12/lawmaker-nsemo-pushes-phedc-for-direct-answers-on-billing-arrears-meter-faults/

11/12/2025

AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CROSS RIVER STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON TUESDAY 9TH DECEMBER IN CALABAR
..Tension was very high during the Calabar Municipality State Constituency Town Hall/Roundtable Discussion on Recent Hike in Electricity ⚡ Tariff, and Persistent Issues of Poor Energy Supply with Post Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC).

09/12/2025

BREAKING: Okoyong Indigenes Raise Alarm Over ‘Stranger Elements’ Hijacking Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Compensation

Odukpani, Cross River –Serious tension is building in the Okoyong axis of Odukpani Local Government Area following allegations that non-indigenes, described as “stranger elements”, have infiltrated and hijacked the official compensation list for the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway Project NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.

In an exclusive interview with NEGROIDHAVEN, Christ Ambassador Effiong Ekpo Ekpo, President and Founder of the Association of Concerned Indigenes of Okoyong Community, warned that the development poses a major threat to peace and stability in the area.

Speaking partly in Efik and English, Ekpo, who doubles as the Vice Chairman of Eyo Ekpo Family, and Chairman, Lands Committee of the family, said the community is alarmed that individuals with no ancestral ties to the 13 Okoyong villages affected by the project have been inserted into the compensation register, displacing genuine landowners whose farmlands and economic trees fall within the 65km project corridor.

“Stranger elements are taking over the compensation meant for original owners. They are receiving millions, while our people, whose ancestors settled in this land, are completely sidelined,” he said.

Ekpo disclosed that although he appears as Beneficiary No. 1768 captured at Nkita village, “hundreds of legitimate landowners” have been removed and replaced with outsiders allegedly backed by compromised traditional rulers, political appointees, and influential individuals.

He warned that unless the situation is addressed promptly, the tension could escalate into a full-blown crisis.

“This is a ticking time bomb. If government does not intervene now, the real owners will react, and the consequences will not be good for anyone,” he cautioned.

The Association says it is preparing to petition the Commissioner of Police, the DSS, and the State Security Adviser, accusing some external interests of using security operatives as well as gangsters to intimidate vulnerable community members and farmers.

Ekpo accused certain government appointees of “capturing community rights” and colluding with outsiders to exploit the multi-billion-naira federal project, alleging that a stranger element and government appointee captured at Kaifa, Esuk Ekom, and other adjoining communities in Okoyong, who are all affected, received up to ₦7 million each, despite having no historical claims to the land.

He also noted that the community leadership has repeatedly requested for transparency from Hi-Tech Construction company and state officials but “has been ignored.”

Further findings by our correspondent suggests that the construction company recently cleared a new road outside the corridor of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in order to access the village river's sand at Esuk Ekom without the consent of the Eyo Ekpo Family, the owner of the community.

The Association is therefore calling for:

* An urgent audit of the compensation list
* Removal of all “stranger elements”
* Immediate recognition of original landowners
* Government-mediated dialogue to avert a potential conflict

Meanwhile, there are ongoing efforts to reach relevant authorities.

This is a developing story.

https://www.negroidhaven.com/2025/12/okoyong-indigenes-raise-alarm-over-stranger-elements-hijacking-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway-compensation/

08/12/2025

C’River NDDC Rep vows prosecution for anyone vandalising electricity installations

Cross River representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD has issued a stern warning to vandals to steer clear of the Commission's infrastructure in the state.

Duke gave the warning on Sunday following the recovery of a significant cache of stolen solar-powered street lighting equipment by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Cross River State Command over the weekend.

The NDDC Rep vowed that individuals, regardless of their status, found vandalising or complicit in the theft of public infrastructure provided by the Commission to complement the effort of the state government will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"This is a clear act of sabotage, and we will treat it as such. Whoever that is involved in this despicable act of vandalism is trying to sabotage the efforts of the state government and NDDC to provide critical infrastructure such as street lighting that would assist in fighting criminality and make our streets safer at night," Duke declared.

The operation, carried out by NSCDC operatives on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in the Calabar Municipality area, led to the successful recovery of eleven (11) solar poles and four (4) solar panels that had been dismantled and stored.

The most shocking element of the incident is the alleged involvement of a traditional ruler, His Highness Michael Inyang, the Village Head of Ikot Abasi Obori in Calabar Municipality. He has been directly implicated in the suspected vandalisation.

Accordingly, the State Command of the NSCDC has issued an invitation to the Village Head to report to the command headquarters on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 10:00hrs for questioning.

The NDDC’s solar streetlight projects are a vital component of its regional development agenda, aimed at improving security and quality of life in areas historically plagued by darkness and criminality. The commission has been expanding its solar footprint across the nine mandate states, making the protection of these assets crucial for achieving sustainable community development goals.

https://www.negroidhaven.com/2025/12/criver-nddc-rep-vows-prosecution-for-anyone-vandalising-electricity-installations/

08/12/2025

Efut Nation to Host First Large-Scale Bunyà Wà Efut day Celebration on December 13

The Council of Efut Nation has announced plans to hold the first large-scale edition of Bunyà Wà Efut (Efut Day)celebration on Saturday, December 13, 2025, marking a major shift from previous low-key commemorations of the annual cultural event.

This event is the homage to the Efut King, The Muri Munene, Tribal King, Natural Ruler and Grand Patriarch of Efut Nation to intensify a collective ideology of the Efut people and heighten the unity, peace and love amongst the Efuts

Speaking during a briefing in Calabar, the Secretary of the Planning Committee, Chief Charles Offiong-Obo, said the Efut Nation has “come of age to launch its cultural brand,” adding that the 2025 edition represents the first time the festival will be hosted with extensive publicity, community mobilisation, and high-profile attendance.

According to him, the event, scheduled to hold at Atu Field, Mayne Avenue, in Calabar South Local Government Areais expected to attract a large turnout, including traditional rulers, government officials, and Efut sons and daughters from home and abroad.

Chief Offiong-Obo noted that the celebration aims to showcase the heritage and identity of the Efut people while expressing gratitude to God for preserving the community as a distinct nationality. He added that this year’s event also reflects renewed unity among Efut clans after years of internal divisions.

Also speaking, the Muri Tata-Ribu I, Prime Minister of Efut Nation and Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, HRH High Chief Efeffiong Nta Eke, Ph.D, described the event as a “maiden high-profile edition” designed to reposition the Efut Nation within the cultural and traditional landscape of Cross River state. He said the festival will feature cultural displays, conferment of chieftaincy titles, and the unveiling of a model for a proposed modern palace for the Muri Munene, the Grand Patriarch of the Efut Nation.

The organizers also confirmed that the three royal fathers of Old Calabar—the Obóng of Calabar, the Ndidem of the Quas, and the Muri Munene of the Efuts—are expected to attend the event in a show of unity.

The annual celebration, which the Efut Nation intends to sustain every December, is part of the ongoing efforts to revive cultural consciousness, strengthen communal ties, and preserve the tribe’s historical origins traced to the Balondo people of southern Cameroon.

https://www.negroidhaven.com/2025/12/efut-nation-to-host-first-large-scale-bunya-wa-efut-day-celebration-on-december-13/

05/12/2025

GADA Details Proposal for 74 Reserved Seats for Women at National Assembly, 180 at State Level

Calabar — Gender and Development Action (GADA) has briefed journalists in Calabar on the provisions of the proposed Special Seats Bill for Women, outlining plans for 74 reserved seats at the National Assembly (NASS) and 180 seats across State Houses of Assembly as part of a nationwide strategy to improve female political representation.

Speaking during a media roundtable organised by GADA in partnership with UN Women and Canada Aid, Programme Manager Nnenna Ugbor explained that the Special Seats Bill is designed to address Nigeria’s longstanding gender imbalance in governance by guaranteeing at least one female representative per state at both chambers of the National Assembly.

Under the proposal:
– Each of the 36 states and the FCT will produce one woman senator, totalling 37 seats.
– Each state and the FCT will also produce one woman member of the House of Representatives, bringing the number to another 37 seats.
This amounts to 74 special seats at the federal level.

At the state level, the bill provides for three reserved seats for women in each State House of Assembly, corresponding to the three senatorial districts in each state. This totals 180 seats nationwide.

Ugbor said the design is intended to boost women’s representation from the current 4 percent to a more inclusive and equitable level.

“In Cross River today, only one woman sits in the House of Assembly,”she noted.
“This bill will ensure balanced representation, not just for women, but for democracy.

She added that the reserved seats are part of a temporary 16-year corrective framework, intended to enable women, including young women and women with disabilities, to gain a foothold in political decision-making spaces.

Gender advocate and event facilitator, Dr. MacFarlane Ejah, reinforced the need for deliberate mechanisms to improve women’s representation, citing examples of countries like Rwanda that have achieved over 60 percent female parliamentary participation through similar approaches.

“Nigeria ranks 181 globally in women’s representation. Without deliberate action, the numbers will not improve,” Ejah said.
“The Special Seats Bill offers a practical path toward reversing decades of exclusion.”

The media roundtable forms part of ongoing advocacy efforts ahead of the National Assembly’s scheduled vote on the bill on December 9 and 10. GADA urged journalists to sustain high-quality, factual reporting to keep the issue in public focus and pressure lawmakers to act.

https://www.negroidhaven.com/2025/12/gada-details-proposal-for-74-reserved-seats-for-women-at-natl-assembly-180-at-state-level/

05/12/2025

C/River: UN Jubilee Fellowship Receives 307 Applications; 56 Selected for 1st Batch

Calabar— The State-Level UN Jubilee Fellowship Internship Programme in Cross River has recorded a total of 307 applications, with only 56 graduates shortlisted for the first batch of the scheme, according to an evaluation report submitted to the Ministry of Youths and Skills Development.

The report, prepared by the Programme Consultant, Dr. MacFarlane Ejah, outlined the outcome of the assessment for Batch A, Set One of the initiative. Dr. Ejah said the selection followed a rigorous evaluation process designed to identify qualified candidates for the 12-month paid internship programme.

The UN Jubilee Fellowship, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to enhance the employability of young graduates by placing them in public and private sector organisations where they will acquire market-ready skills, mentorship, and professional coaching. Successful interns are expected to earn a ₦100,000 monthly stipend during the programme.

In forwarding the list of selected applicants, Dr. Ejah requested the Commissioner’s approval to publish the names and commence onboarding into relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as corporate partner organisations. He also sought approval to convene a joint meeting with desk officers and the successful interns on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Ministry’s Conference Hall.

Observers have noted that the screening report reflects the competitive nature of the programme, with less than 20 percent of applicants making the first cut. Additional batches are expected in subsequent phases of the state-level implementation Dr Ejah informed our correspondent yesterday.

https://www.negroidhaven.com/2025/12/c-river-un-jubilee-fellowship-receives-307-applications-56-selected-for-1st-batch/

04/12/2025

Nigerian Army Rescues Four Kidnapped Victims in Bakassi Cross-Border Operation

BAKASSI– Troops of the 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, successfully rescued four kidnapped civilians during a waterborne operation in the restive Bakassi Peninsula, Cross River state, on Tuesday.

The victims were being transported by armed militants in a speedboat toward the Isangele area of Cameroon when soldiers on routine patrol intercepted them along the waterways. An exchange of gunfire ensued, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee into surrounding creeks.

All four victims were recovered unharmed along with their personal belongings. No casualties were recorded among the troops.

In a statement by Major Yemi Sokoya the Assistant Director Army Public Relations of the Headquarters 13 Brigade Nigerian Army on Wednesday, the Commander of 13 Brigade, Brigadier General P.O. Alimikhena, praised the soldiers for their courage and tactical effectiveness.

“This operation reflects our high level of operational readiness and our resolve to safeguard the people of Cross River State,” Alimikhena said. “We remain committed to dismantling criminal networks in our coastal and riverine communities.”

The Bakassi Peninsula—a region of dense mangrove swamps and complex waterways bordering Cameroon—has long been a hotspot for kidnapping, piracy, and cross-border criminal activities.

Tuesday’s rescue underscores continued military efforts to secure the area, which was formally ceded to Cameroon in 2008 but remains economically and socially tied to Nigeria.

https://www.negroidhaven.com/2025/12/nigerian-army-rescues-four-kidnapped-victims-in-bakassi-cross-border-operation/

02/12/2025

BREAKING

12th UNICAL Vice Chancellor Prof. Offiong Effanga Offiong (The Home-Grown Reformer) reopens VC Gate previously shut...

02/12/2025

World AIDS Day: Orok Duke calls for stronger collaboration to tackle HIV transmission, stigma in Cross River

Cross River State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Rt. Hon. Otuekong Orok Duke, PhD, has called for inter-agency collaboration between government and partners, to curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS.

In a message to commemorate the World AIDS Day, Orok expressed deep concerns over what he described as "continuous spread" of the disease, while calling for a stop to the stigmatization of persons those that tested positive.

"Today, I join the government of Nigeria and the global community, to lend my voice to this decades-long pandemic. It is also worrisome to see that with government's efforts to end spread, the prevalent rate is still high. Stigmatization is also high and this is responsible for the continued spread because, infected persons out of fear of stigmatization, rather remain discrete about their status", Orok added.

Findings by UNAID indicates that there are over 1.3 million new infections in 2024. This figure remains ulmost unchanged from the year before.
The recent surge is also caused by sudden withdrawal of funding which has disrupted treatment and prevention programmes around the world in early 2025 and those mostly affected are the low and middle-income countries.

UNAIDS modelling shows that if the funding permanently disappears, there could be an additional 6 million HIV infections and an amazing additional 4 million AIDS-related deaths by 2029.

This year’s theme “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” is a call to urgent action.
The world must come together to restore funding, strengthen health systems, and prioritize community-led approaches that have consistently proven effective. Without renewed commitment, the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 will slip further out of reach.

https://www.negroidhaven.com/2025/12/world-aids-day-nddcs-orok-duke-calls-for-stronger-collaboration-to-tackle-hiv-transmission-stigma-in-cross-river/

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