Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have commended the State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, for devoting ₦708.43 billion, representing 71.72% of the 2027 budget estimates, to capital development and ₦279.38 billion, representing 28.28%, to recurrent expenditure.

Lawmakers gave the commendation during Tuesday, 3/11/2026 plenary as they passed the Cross River State 2027 Appropriation Bill for second reading, earlier presented by Governor Otu to the Assembly for consideration and passage.

The Bill scaled second reading following robust deliberations by members at the Assembly Complex, Calabar.

Leading the debate, the Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Davis Etta (Abi), described the 2027 budget estimates as people-oriented, development-driven and reflective of the Governor’s ‘People First’ mantra. He particularly commended the Governor for devoting a substantial percentage of the total budget to capital expenditure rather than recurrent expenditure, noting that it marks a clear shift from a consumption budget to a production and growth budget.

According to Etta, Governor Otu’s decision to prioritize capital projects demonstrates a clear commitment to infrastructural development, economic expansion, job creation and the industrialisation of the State.

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Contributing to the debate, majority of the members took turns to applaud the Governor for his fiscal discipline and focus. They noted that the high capital component will fast-track the completion of ongoing projects, open up new roads, boost agriculture, improve healthcare delivery, strengthen human capital development, and reposition Cross River as an investment destination.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, who presided over the session, commended his colleagues for their painstaking analysis of the budget and also lauded Governor Otu for sustaining a fiscal policy that places premium on infrastructure over frivolities.

He thereafter referred the Appropriation Bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for detailed budget defence and further legislative work, with a mandate to report back within three weeks.

In a related development, members of the Assembly commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, for organising the just-concluded Budget Retreat for members of the Assembly.

Members noted that the retreat was timely, highly educative and impactful, as it widened their scope and deepened their understanding of budget analysis, scrutiny, legislative oversight and fiscal discipline.

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They observed that the knowledge gained from the retreat was evident in the quality, depth and professionalism of the debate on the 2027 Appropriation Bill, adding that it has better equipped the House to discharge its constitutional duty of thorough budget consideration.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has paid outstanding retirement gratuity arrears owed to retired local government workers, bringing relief to pensioners who have waited for nearly two decades to receive their entitlements.

The development has sparked excitement among beneficiaries, including Nze EC Aneke, a retired Head of Personnel Management (HPM) from Amokwe in Udi Local Government Area, who received his gratuity payment on Monday, November 2, 2026, after 19 years of waiting.

Aneke, who retired from the local government service in June 2007, said successive administrations had failed to pay his gratuity despite repeated promises.

In a video expressing his appreciation, the elderly pensioner described the payment as a moment of joy and relief, saying he initially doubted Governor Mbah’s promise to clear outstanding gratuity arrears because of his previous experiences.

He said he was surprised when a bank alert he initially thought was his October monthly pension turned out to be payment of his long-awaited gratuity.

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“I retired as HPM in local government in June 2007. Since then, I have not been paid my gratuity. Many governors have come and gone. But now we have this efficient and, in fact, humane governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah,” he said.

Recounting his experience, Aneke said: “Recently, he promised that we would be paid our arrears of gratuity. Personally, I thought it was just like previous governors who had been promising and failing. But suddenly, unexpectedly, yesterday, November 2, I got an alert from my bank.

“I was thinking it was our monthly pension, the October pension. But behold, it was my gratuity arrears, 19 years plus. In fact, I couldn’t believe it. But it was real; it was true.”

The retiree praised Mbah for fulfilling his promise, declaring that the governor had achieved what previous administrations failed to accomplish.

“So I want to express my joy and happiness to His Excellency for showing us that ‘Our Tomorrow Is Here’. Our tomorrow is now. May God bless him. He has done what his predecessors failed to do,” he said.

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Aneke added that he believed other retired local government workers who had received their outstanding entitlements were equally celebrating the development.

He also prayed for God’s blessings upon the governor and expressed support for his continued leadership, saying he wished Mbah would remain in office until May 2031.

The pensioner further expressed his desire to meet the governor personally to appreciate him for the payment.

“I wish I could see him face-to-face and shake him. In fact, I lack words to express my happiness. Thank you very much, and may God bless you, Your Excellency,” he said.

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Enugu Air has secured regulatory approval to commence direct flights between Lagos and London Gatwick in December 2026, with bookings for the international route now open.

The state-owned airline announced the development in a statement on Wednesday, describing the approval as a major milestone in its international expansion and efforts to strengthen air connectivity between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

The Lagos-London Gatwick service will be operated in partnership with Omni-Blu Aviation (OBA), which has been appointed as the designated operating partner for the route.

“Enugu Air has received approval for its Lagos-London Gatwick route, with Omni-Blu Aviation (OBA) appointed as the designated operator under a strategic partnership.

“Bookings are now open, and flights will commence in December 2026,” the statement said.

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The airline described the development as a significant step towards expanding its international operations, improving passenger connectivity and creating new opportunities for trade and investment between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

It also credited Governor Peter Mbah’s strategic aviation agenda, saying his administration’s vision was positioning Enugu as an emerging gateway for international connectivity, investment, tourism and economic growth.

The announcement comes barely six weeks after Enugu Air operated its maiden international flight to Douala, Cameroon, on September 23, 2026.

Launched in July 2025 with an initial fleet of three Embraer aircraft comprising the E170 and E190 series, the airline was established as part of the Mbah administration’s integrated plan to develop a modern, multimodal transport system.

The initiative is also aimed at positioning Enugu as a major aviation hub in West and Central Africa.

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Since its launch, Enugu Air has expanded its fleet and route network, with the latest regulatory approval representing another step in its international expansion drive.

The proposed Lagos-London service is expected to offer passengers additional travel options while strengthening business, trade and other economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Bookings for the December 2026 service are available through the airline’s online booking portal.

By Emeka Ozumba

In the legislative world where noise is easily mistaken for substance, Hon. Dozie Nwankwo, Onyendozi stands apart as a new charismatic model of quality representation. Onyendozi cultivates silence, moves in silence and wears silence like a robe of humility, dignity and honour. His persona is a rejection of the archetypal Nigerian politician; full of noise and fury, signifying nothing.

Indeed, Onyendozi is cut from a different cloth. He does not perform for applause. He does not speak except it is obvious that his speech would improve the silence, offer a fresh perspective or highlight the evil of not speaking out. But more often than not, Dozie Nwankwo lets his actions speak for him.

Truth be told, Onyendozi’s actions have continued to speak for him, through two terms of highly effective representation of Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, through years of passionate philanthropy that has impacted over 44,000 people across 22 communities and through decades of entrepreneurial excellence that made him an outstanding business leader in his own right.

Happily, among Ndigbo, a man is respected for what he does and not what he says. Onyendozi is a doer! He rewrote the manual of legislative representation in the National Assembly, bringing his wealth of experience to bear on critical sectors such as Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure and Petroleum. In specific terms, he sponsored and co-sponsored bills pushing for education reforms, access to healthcare, youth empowerment and community development.

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But his actual worth came from the members of his constituency whose confidence he gradually earned with a stellar performance. In keeping with his constitutional obligations, Onyendozi facilitated the citing of the Enugwu-Ukwu Campus of the Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu. He constructed ultramodern Primary Healthcare Centres along with two-bedroom Doctors’ Quarters in his constituency, and also built and rehabilitated community link-roads. He also sank solar-powered boreholes with reticulation across many communities and built proper quarters for school principals in the constituency. In addition, he installed solar-powered streetlights across communities in the zone, bringing a touch of modernity closer to areas that are denied priority attention by governments.

As Onyendozi, Dozie Nwankwo understands the importance of touching lives directly across the communities. He believes that no investment is greater than the investment made in the lives of human beings. That is why his interest in public service began with the establishment of the Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo Centre for Development and ICT (for digital and vocational skills) in 2007, long before he decided to seek a political office. As would be expected, Onyendozi set out fixing lives with his foundation; impacting 44,000 people in over 22 communities in the senatorial zone.

In granular details, the Foundation offered critical support to over 5,000 widows and empowered over 1,140 constituents with cash grants to 560 artisans. He donated cars, motorcycles, tricycles, sewing and grinding machines, hair dryers and wheelchairs to 580 youths, including men and women. Onyendozi also offered free Medicare, including surgeries, dental and eye-care to over 4,000 people in addition to building and equipping many primary healthcare centres.

And what’s more? Onyendozi awarded scholarships to hundreds of students and equipped several schools with ICT tools, libraries, teaching aids. Several youths from Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia constituency also got federal jobs with strong recommendations from Onyendozi. Many women and youths were equipped with vocational skills like tailoring, ICT, agriculture and small scale businesses and subsequently offered startup grants and tools to stand on their own feet.

Truth be told; Dozie Nwankwo’s scorecard reads like that of a man on a mission. To people who know him at close quarters, it is hardly surprising. They know that Onyendozi has a deeply nuanced view of leadership. One of his deepest thoughts on leadership is that “Leadership is not about power; it is about purpose. When people trust you with their mandate, you owe them progress.”

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Without a doubt, Onyendozi has returned the trust his people vested in him in manifold. There is a glut of evidence to confirm this claim. And guess what? Even with all his high achievements, Onyendozi remains firmly grounded in humility. He has become even more accessible, more involved in the lives of his people, listening to their anxieties, answering with care and delivering stunning results.

Needless to say, Onyendozi has become the enduring standard for grassroots-centred leadership, a quintessence of legislative high performance and a leader to reckon with.

Some passionate fans have aptly christened him “The Dependable Choice.”

Ka ana ejegodi!

Ozumba is Director of Media and Publicity, Hon Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo Campaign Organization.

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A former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, has called on northerners to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections, citing infrastructure development and ongoing economic reforms.
Shagari, who also served as Minister of Water Resources and is currently Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, made the call while congratulating Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and other party stakeholders on the successful flag-off of the party’s presidential campaign in Kaduna State on Saturday.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Musa Ubandawaki, on Monday, Shagari described the event as a demonstration of the APC’s organisational strength, unity and determination to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.