By Orok Duke, PhD “Children of a lesser God” is a metaphor used to describe marginalized or misunderstood people—like the deaf protagonist in Mark Medoff’s 1979 play and 1986 film. The phrase originally comes from Alfred Tennyson’s 1859 poem Idylls of the King, where it describes a world degraded by war. It implies that if…
In the grand tapestry of Nigerian literature, specific geographic locales have long enjoyed intense focus. The political turmoils of the West, the tragic battlegrounds of the East, and the sprawling oral epics of the North frequently dominate the academic gaze. Yet, sitting quietly on the south-eastern coast is Calabar, a city whose historical weight as…
By Michael Eja Governments should not be judged only by what they start, but by what they are able to sustain, consolidate and turn into lasting institutions. That is why the debate over Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s second-term bid should go beyond politics. It should be about continuity and whether the foundations being laid across…
By Emmanuel Edok It is remarkable how quickly people forget both historical milestones and personal experiences. This tendency is illustrated in a recent article by Linus Obogo, Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor of Cross River State. In his commentary, The Ghost of a Vanquished Ambition, Mr. Obogo…
For some, a birthday is simply another milestone. For others, it is an opportunity to reflect on a life of purpose, service and enduring impact. As Rt. Hon. (Chief) Orok Otu Duke, PhD, the Cross River State Representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), celebrates his 65th birthday today, Cross River…
Ordinarily, the recent media attacks by Senator Sandy Onor do not deserve a response. It is difficult to attach political significance to the comments of a man who, as the sitting Senator representing Cross River Central and the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election, suffered a comprehensive rejection at the polls by losing…
By Philomena Modlin In Cross River State, there are 1,114 primary schools, 338 secondary schools, and 76 technical colleges across the 18 local government areas. These are all public schools. On record, each school should have no fewer than 30 to 40 teachers assigned to it. However, the reality is that only a handful report…
By Mr. John Offiong Chief of Party, DACRISS Community Development Initiatives In every democracy, criticism is not only inevitable but also necessary. Every responsible government requires the voices of critics to identify shortcomings, improve policies, and ensure that governance remains responsive to the aspirations of the people. Constructive criticism strengthens democracy because it keeps leaders…
Unity, not division, remains the indispensable foundation for peace, good governance and sustainable development. By Beatrice Akpala The enduring warning of Professor Emmanuel Ayandele, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, that “Cross River State must not become an atomistic society perpetually at war with itself,” is far more than an academic reflection. It…
By Comrade Amawu Cletus Albert Amawu Rev. Fr. Clement Agama’s latest publication, titled “The Ghostwriters of Compromise: A Philosophical and Theological Response to Amawu Cletus and Akpala Beatrice,” is undoubtedly eloquent in language and ambitious in philosophical and theological references. However, beneath the sophisticated prose lies a regrettable attempt to personalise an issue that ought…
