BANNER NEWS

Year: 2026

  • PadBank Distributes Sanitary Pads To School Children In Calabar

    PadBank Distributes Sanitary Pads To School Children In Calabar

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    A group, PadBank Mobile Outreach, has intensified its monthly campaign on young women’s health by distributing sanitary towels to about 300 girl students of West African People’s Institute, WAPI, in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State.

    Coordinator of the Non-governmental organization, Archibong Bassey noted that many young women in the state still grapple with inability to access some health services vices, especially availability of sanitary towels.

    She said sanitary products remains critical to the dignity, confidence and wellbeing of women and girls.

    Bassey said she took up the challenge singlehandedly by undertaking to assist the girl children with the pads.

    So far, Bassey said her initiative which started early in 2025, has reached several schools and communities.

    She further explained that the PadBank Mobile Outreach was created to address menstrual hygiene challenges by directly supporting girls who are unable to afford sanitary pads, thereby helping them remain confident and active in school.

    She encouraged the students to remain focused on their education and make responsible choices capable of shaping their future.

    “Whatever you do today reflects in your tomorrow. Do not play with your future. Discipline and commitment will always matter,” Bassey said.

    She explained that the February 2026 edition of the outreach also served as part of activities to mark birthday, adding that she invited members of her class set ” WAPI 94″ to join her in giving back to her alma mater.

    Before the distribution of the free sanitary pads, health talks and how to use the pads, how to dispose them and how to tackle the side effects of menstrual cycle, were given by National Health Fellows.

    Receiving the team, the school’s principal, Gertrude Egbelo, commended the group for its consistency and concern for the welfare of the students.

    “This gesture will go a long way in supporting our girls. It addresses an important need and shows that people truly care about their wellbeing,” the principal said.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Assistant Head Girl, Goodness Udo, expressed appreciation for the initiative.

    “We are grateful for the sanitary pads given to us. This support means a lot to many girls who find it difficult to afford them,” she said.

    The PadBank Mobile Outreach said it would continue its monthly interventions aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene and supporting vulnerable girls and women across Cross River State.

     

     

  • Unqualified Practitioners Driving Fake News, Media Quackery — UNICAL Don

    Unqualified Practitioners Driving Fake News, Media Quackery — UNICAL Don

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    The Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Calabar (UNICAL), Dr. Ukam I. Ngwu, Esq., has blamed the rising wave of fake news and quackery in Nigeria’s media space on the growing invasion of the profession by unqualified persons.
    Dr. Ngwu made the assertion during an orientation programme organised by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies for newly admitted students, held on January 4, 2026, at the University of Calabar International Conference Centre.
    He lamented that accurate, credible and reliable information had become increasingly scarce in the country, warning that the trend poses serious threats to societal development and democratic governance.
    According to him, the erosion of professional standards in journalism has allowed misinformation to thrive, thereby undermining public trust in the media.
    The university don urged students, particularly those in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, to take full advantage of their academic training to acquire the knowledge, ethics and technical competence required to restore professionalism to the media sector.
    He said the responsibility of rebuilding public confidence in journalism rests largely on the next generation of trained practitioners.
    Dr. Ngwu also called for stricter regulation of Nigeria’s media space, advocating legislation that would address the growing porosity in journalism practice.
    He stressed that journalism should be restricted to licensed and properly trained professionals in order to curb quackery and effectively combat the spread of fake news.

  • Police Rescue 81-Year-Old Pensioner From Fraud Syndicate in Uyo

    Police Rescue 81-Year-Old Pensioner From Fraud Syndicate in Uyo

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued an 81-year-old pensioner from a fraud syndicate allegedly using diabolic means to defraud unsuspecting members of the public in Uyo, the state capital.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, confirmed that the octogenarian was rescued unhurt during an intelligence-led operation, adding that suspects arrested in connection with the crime had confessed to their involvement.

    According to the police, the syndicate specialised in luring victims with a tricycle lacking a motor number, which was used to convey them to isolated locations before dispossessing them of money and other valuables.

    DSP John said the operation followed credible intelligence provided by a concerned and public-spirited individual, which exposed the activities of the group within Uyo metropolis and surrounding areas.

    The suspects were said to be members of a local fraud network popularly referred to as “Utotoh,” known for deceiving victims through deceptive and diabolical practices.

    “Operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, successfully dismantled a suspected fraud syndicate operating within Uyo and its environs,” the police spokesman stated.

    Those arrested were identified as Otoabasi Ekpeyong, 52; Ubong Sylvanus, 42; and Sunday Akpan, 60. Police said investigations were ongoing to identify additional victims and apprehend other members of the syndicate.

    The Command reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property and urged residents to continue to support the police with timely and credible information to enhance public safety.

  • Mob Lynches Man After Killing Father’s Ex-Wife in Taraba

    Mob Lynches Man After Killing Father’s Ex-Wife in Taraba

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    A mob has lynched a man in Nanguru village, Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, after he allegedly killed his father’s former wife.

    The incident occurred on Tuesday when the suspect, identified as Ubaido Tanimu, reportedly attacked and killed the woman during a visit to the village.

    A resident, Habibu Bello, told reporters that the victim, who hailed from Tella town, had separated from Tanimu’s father several years ago and relocated to her family home in Tella.

    According to the source, the woman had returned to Nanguru to attend a marriage ceremony when the suspect allegedly carried out an earlier threat to kill her should she ever set foot in the village.

    It was gathered that Tanimu monitored her movements, followed her to the venue of the ceremony and attacked her.

    After the killing, the suspect reportedly fled to Garwa, a neighbouring village, to evade arrest.

    However, youths from Nanguru village, joined by relatives of the deceased woman, later mobilised, traced him to his hideout and brought him back to his father’s house, where he was lynched.

    The body of the woman was subsequently taken to Tella, where she was buried on Wednesday evening.

    Sources said no arrests have so far been made in connection with the mob action, adding that many youths in the area had deserted the village.

    Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said the command was aware and investigations were ongoing.

  • Sagamu, Ashaka Plant Expansions to Boost Lafarge Africa’s Cement Capacity to 5.5m Tonnes

    Sagamu, Ashaka Plant Expansions to Boost Lafarge Africa’s Cement Capacity to 5.5m Tonnes

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Cement availability in the Nigerian market is expected to improve significantly following the expansion of Lafarge Africa Plc’s Sagamu Cement Plant in Ogun State and Ashaka Cement Plant in Gombe State.

    The company said the projects would raise its combined cement production capacity to 5.5 million metric tonnes per annum, a development that could also ease price pressures in the market.

    Company Secretary, Adewunmi Alode, disclosed that the Ashaka plant expansion would deliver an additional 2 million metric tonnes per annum, while the Sagamu plant would add 3.5 million metric tonnes annually upon completion.

    She explained that both facilities are being upgraded as modern dry-process plants equipped with preheater kilns, vertical raw mills and roller presses for cement mills to enhance energy efficiency and operational performance.

    Lafarge Africa reaffirmed that the expansion aligns with its strategy to strengthen local cement production and improve supply reliability across key markets in the country.

    In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the investing public, the company said the projects are expected to improve product availability and enhance its ability to serve customers more efficiently nationwide.

    The expansion follows the 2024 acquisition of 83.81 per cent of Lafarge Africa Plc by Huaxin Building Materials Group, a move the company said underscores the new majority shareholder’s long-term commitment to Nigeria’s infrastructure development.

    Commenting on the development, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said the projects reflect the company’s confidence in Nigeria’s growth prospects and its determination to support the country’s construction and infrastructure needs.

    He added that beyond increasing capacity, the investments would deliver operational and sustainability benefits, create value for customers and shareholders, and stimulate economic activity and job creation within host communities and the wider construction ecosystem.

  • Kogi Shuts Schools for Two Weeks Over Security Threats

    Kogi Shuts Schools for Two Weeks Over Security Threats

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    The Kogi State Government has ordered the closure of all schools across the state, including tertiary institutions, for an initial period of two weeks over rising security concerns.
    The decision, aimed at safeguarding students, teachers and school infrastructure, was announced on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, in Lokoja.
    Fanwo described the measure as temporary and purely preventive, explaining that it was based on credible intelligence reports and the need to strengthen protective measures around educational institutions.
    According to him, the action was not taken out of panic but responsibility, stressing that the government opted to act proactively rather than wait for avoidable incidents.
    He commended security agencies for providing timely and actionable intelligence, noting that their collaboration reflects the effectiveness of the state’s security architecture.
    The commissioner reassured residents that the government remains firmly in control of the situation, adding that security operatives are working round the clock to identify, locate and dismantle criminal hideouts across the state.
    “The safety of our children, teachers and educational institutions is non-negotiable,” Fanwo said, adding that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all relevant agencies to put modalities in place to ensure schools reopen as soon as it is safe, without disrupting the academic calendar.
    Meanwhile, the Kogi State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Pastor Reuben Jimoh, has directed all private schools to comply immediately with the closure order.
    Jimoh said the midterm break had been brought forward, with resumption now fixed for February 16, 2026, warning that no school should flout the directive.
    Several parents and guardians also confirmed receiving official notices from schools, informing them of the emergency break and advising students to continue studying at home pending a new resumption date.
    The development comes amid intensified security operations by the state government, which recently launched sustained offensives against bandits’ hideouts in forest areas, reportedly neutralising scores of the criminals.

  • Another Customs Officer Killed in Smugglers’ Ambush in Ogun

    Another Customs Officer Killed in Smugglers’ Ambush in Ogun

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Another officer of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has been ambushed and killed by suspected smugglers in Ogun State.

    The officer, whose identity had not been released as of press time, was reportedly attacked in the line of duty on Tuesday.

    Confirming the incident, the Controller of FOU Zone A, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, said the officer was killed during an ambush by suspected smugglers in the state.

    “The Command lost one of its promising officers this morning, February 3, 2026, who fell in the service of our fatherland,” Aliyu said, adding that the loss had been formally communicated to the Service’s high command.

    The latest killing comes barely 48 hours after suspected smugglers shot and injured two customs officers in a similar ambush in Ogun State.

    In another related incident last weekend, one person was killed while four others — including two customs officers — sustained injuries when smugglers attacked a customs patrol team.

    Despite the repeated attacks, Aliyu said the unit has intensified its operations against organised crime, particularly drug trafficking syndicates operating within its area of responsibility.

    He disclosed that the command recently intercepted 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud,” weighing about 1,431 kilograms, a move he said significantly disrupted illicit drug supply networks amid rising insecurity nationwide.

  • Welfare, Security Issues – Bane of Upcoming Magistrates Strike in Cross River 

    Welfare, Security Issues – Bane of Upcoming Magistrates Strike in Cross River 

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    Magistrates in Cross River State have said that lack of welfare and their security are some of the key issues forcing them to plan for another strike.
    They have announced that the impending strike will be indefinite and will commence from Monday, February 9, 2026.
    The decision was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the Chairman of MAN in the state, Godwin Onah and the General Secretary, Solomon Abuo and issued at the end of a General Congress of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN).
    The comunique was also copied to key judicial, security, and government authorities, including the Chief Judge of Cross River State, the Attorney-General, the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner of Police, and the Nigerian Bar Association.
     It would be recalled that MAN had resolved to embark on an indefinite strike following a communiqué issued on November 5, 2024, but suspended the action after the personal intervention of Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
    According to MAN, they suspended the strike to allow the governor time to address their demands, even as they remind him that seven other critical demands remain unattended to.
    The association said several reminder letters dated November 11, 2024, July 10, 2025, and October 2, 2025, were sent to the state government, but no concrete action has been taken on the remaining demands.
    MAN noted that the outstanding issues, which border on welfare, security, and conditions of service, have continued to cause hardship and disaffection among magistrates, with implications for the effective administration of justice in the state.
    “In view of the foregoing, the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter, has resolved to resume the suspended indefinite strike action after the expiration of seven days,” the communiqué stated.
    The association expressed hope that the state government would act swiftly to forestall the looming industrial action and ensure the smooth operation of the justice system in Cross River State.
  • Cross River Reaffirms Health Partnerships as Measles–Rubella Campaign Takes Off

    Cross River Reaffirms Health Partnerships as Measles–Rubella Campaign Takes Off

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Cross River State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining strong partnerships with development agencies and stakeholders to deepen healthcare delivery across the state.

    The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Odey, stated this at the official flag-off of the Measles–Rubella Vaccination Campaign on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Ikot Ansa Primary Health Centre, Calabar. He was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk.

    Dr. Ayuk said the administration of Governor Bassey Otu considers collaboration with both governmental and non-governmental partners, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), as central to building a resilient and responsive health system.

    He assured development partners of a conducive environment for effective engagement, stressing the government’s resolve to rebuild confidence and sustain existing health partnerships across the state.

    Highlighting sectoral milestones, the commissioner noted that Cross River recently became the first state government to procure family planning commodities for community use, describing the move as a landmark policy intervention.

    Dr. Ayuk underscored the role of community participation in improving vaccine uptake, calling on traditional rulers, community leaders, market women and caregivers to mobilise support to ensure optimal utilisation of the vaccines.

    “This campaign is a system-strengthening effort aimed at preventing vaccine wastage and ensuring that our children are fully protected,” he said.

    In a goodwill message, Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, Nutrition and Food Security,  Hilary Bisong described vaccination as one of the most effective tools for preventing childhood deaths and cervical cancer.

    He said the integration of the Measles–Rubella campaign with HPV vaccination for adolescent girls and strengthened routine immunisation reflects a comprehensive public health strategy under Governor Otu’s leadership.

    Also speaking, the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, described the flag-off as historic, noting that the state is among the Phase 2b implementers of the newly introduced Measles–Rubella vaccine in Nigeria.

    She explained that the campaign targets children aged nine months to 14 years, aims to prevent Congenital Rubella Syndrome, and strengthen herd immunity across communities.

    “By vaccinating our children today, we are protecting unborn children from lifelong disabilities such as blindness, deafness and heart defects,” she said, assuring parents that the vaccines are safe, potent, government-funded and free.

    Dr. Otu added that vaccination teams would be deployed to health facilities, schools, religious centres, markets and other public spaces to ensure no child is missed.

    In a goodwill message delivered on her behalf by Dr. Comfort Oko, the First Lady of the state, Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, urged parents and caregivers to embrace immunisation as a proven and effective way to secure a healthier future for children and communities.

    The Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, also encouraged parents to present their children for vaccination, noting that Cross River recently emerged Nigeria’s best-performing state in routine immunisation in the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey. He reaffirmed the Otu administration’s commitment to expanding health policies that attract international support and pledged continued collaboration to boost public awareness, while also calling for improved access to anti-snake venom to curb preventable deaths.

    The event featured goodwill messages from the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, and representatives of the NPHCDA, UNICEF, WHO and other partners, who commended the state government’s sustained health reforms and pledged continued support.

  • 500 Out-of-School Girls Re-Enrolled, Trained in Cross River — NGO

    500 Out-of-School Girls Re-Enrolled, Trained in Cross River — NGO

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    No fewer than 500 adolescent girls who dropped out of school due to unplanned pregnancies are benefiting from a structured reintegration programme in Cross River State, spearheaded by the Her Voice Foundation.

    Statistics from the initiative show that 350 of the girls have been re-enrolled through second-chance education pathways, while another 150 are currently undergoing entrepreneurship and skills acquisition training.

    The intervention is being delivered under the foundation’s Girls to Women: Stronger, Bolder project, designed to restore access to education and economic opportunities for vulnerable adolescent girls.

    Founder of Her Voice Foundation, Favour Abatang, said the project was developed to address the social stigma that permanently excludes young mothers from the school system.

    According to her, data from the programme indicate that stigma, rejection and lack of family support remain the biggest barriers preventing pregnant girls and young mothers from returning to classrooms.

    Abatang explained that the initiative combines school re-enrolment support with psychosocial counselling, mentorship and life-skills training, enabling beneficiaries to rebuild confidence and reintegrate into formal learning.

    She added that the figures recorded so far reflect the foundation’s broader commitment to protecting girls’ rights and reducing the number of permanently out-of-school adolescents in the state.

    The project was implemented across Obudu, Bekwarra and Obanliku Local Government Areas, where community leaders report a gradual shift in attitudes toward girls’ education.

    In Ablesang community, Chief Shikishong Jeremiah said the programme has helped change parental perceptions, noting that he now actively mobilises families to enrol their daughters in literacy and numeracy programmes.

    One beneficiary, 17-year-old Eneji Margaret, said the intervention helped her return to school after dropping out at 15 due to pregnancy and financial hardship. She said the training and educational support have revived her ambition to become a nurse and contribute meaningfully to society.