CRN-Update

THREE YEARS OF IMPACT, PROGRESS AND PURPOSE: MY JOURNEY AS CROSS RIVER STATE’S PIONEER HOUSING COMMISSIONER

August 16, 2026

Three years ago today, I took the oath of office as the first Honourable Commissioner for Housing in Cross River State.

It was a historic responsibility, not just because I was the pioneer Commissioner of a newly created Ministry, but because I understood from the very beginning that housing is about people. It is about dignity, security, opportunity and giving families a place they can truly call home.

The creation of the Ministry of Housing by the administration of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, was a deliberate step in advancing the administration’s People First agenda. I am grateful for the confidence reposed in me to pioneer this ministry and help build the structures and direction needed to move the housing sector forward.

Expanding Social Housing Opportunities

One of the areas I have remained particularly committed to is social housing, especially for vulnerable women and low-income earners.

At Adiabo, Calabar, the State facilitated the provision of land for housing development in partnership with Family Homes Funds Limited. The intervention is targeted at providing affordable homes for indigent women and other low-income beneficiaries, while also creating opportunities for skills development and participation in the construction process.

We also commenced the 50-unit social housing project for indigent women in 2025. The project is still ongoing, and when completed, it will provide decent homes for beneficiaries who may otherwise find home ownership difficult to attain.

For me, this project is more than the construction of houses. It is about giving vulnerable women a greater sense of security and dignity.

Renewed Hope Housing Scheme

We have also continued to explore opportunities through the Federal Government’s housing programmes.

In Adiabo, 25 acres of land was made available for the construction of 250 housing units under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.

This is part of our efforts to expand access to affordable housing for low- and middle-income families in Cross River State, while also creating opportunities for employment and economic activity around housing development.

Our continued engagement with federal housing agencies has also opened up more opportunities for collaboration and investment in the State.

Rejigging Our Housing Delivery Approach

Over the past year, we have also rejigged our approach to housing delivery.

We are looking beyond individual projects and working toward a model that can be replicated across the State through stronger partnerships with the private sector, communities and relevant institutions.

One of the major plans emerging from this approach is the 1,500-unit housing programme, with 500 units planned for each of the three senatorial districts.

The vision is to take housing development beyond Calabar and ensure that more Cross Riverians across the State have the opportunity to benefit from decent and affordable housing.

The first major expression of this model is the 500-unit Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu Housing Estate at Okuni in Ikom, which was flagged off in July 2026.

This is an important step in our determination to make housing development more inclusive and spread opportunities across the State.

Building Stronger Partnerships

Housing delivery cannot be achieved by government alone, and this has informed our continued engagement with key institutions within and outside the State.

Over the past three years, the Ministry has strengthened its working relationships with the Federal Housing Authority, Family Homes Funds Limited and the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, among others.

I have also had the opportunity to represent Cross River State at national housing engagements, where we have shared ideas and explored opportunities around affordable housing, public-private partnerships and sustainable housing delivery.

These engagements are important because they help us bring more opportunities, partnerships and investments into Cross River State.

Laying the Policy Foundation

While we continue to pursue housing projects, we are equally concerned about putting the right policies and structures in place.

The development of the Cross River State Housing Policy Framework is one of the steps we are taking to provide clearer direction for housing development, urban growth, infrastructure and private-sector participation.

For a Ministry that was created just three years ago, establishing a strong policy foundation is critical to ensuring that the work we have started can continue and grow beyond individual projects.

Three Years On

Looking back, I am grateful for how far we have come.

Three years ago, I was given the responsibility of pioneering a new Ministry of Housing. Today, we have a Ministry that is steadily finding its footing, building partnerships, facilitating housing projects and developing policies that will shape the sector for years to come.

From social housing interventions for vulnerable women, to the ongoing 50-unit indigent women housing project, the 250-unit Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, stronger federal partnerships and the emerging 1,500-unit housing plan, we have continued to pursue different avenues of expanding housing opportunities for our people.

The 500-unit Okuni Housing Estate is another significant milestone and the first major expression of our wider plan to develop 500 housing units in each senatorial district.

I am particularly grateful to His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for creating the Ministry of Housing and giving us the opportunity to build a more focused approach to housing development in Cross River State.

I also appreciate the dedication of the staff of the Ministry, our partners, contractors, stakeholders and everyone who has contributed in one way or another to the progress we have recorded.

Most importantly, I remain committed to the people of Cross River State.

Three years have passed, but the work continues.

We have laid a foundation. We have started projects. We have built partnerships. We have developed plans. And there is still much more to do.

Our goal remains simple: to contribute to a Cross River State where more people can have access to decent, affordable and sustainable housing.

Thank you, Cross River State, for the trust and support.

Three years of service.
Three years of learning.
Three years of building.

And the journey continues.

People First. Housing for All.

Dr. Beatrice Igwe
Honourable Commissioner for Housing
Cross River State

2026 YALA NEW YAM FESTIVAL: PLANNING COMMITTEE CONSULTS HIGH CHIEF HIGGINS PETERS IN ABUJA

The Central Planning Committee (CPC) for the 2026 Yala New Yam Festival has continued its stakeholder consultation and engagement with a courtesy visit to the Natural Leader of the North and Chief Executive Officer of Opal Networks Limited, High Chief Higgins Peters, at his Abuja office.

The delegation, led by the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and former Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Hon. Mike Usibe, formally briefed the renowned businessman and community leader on preparations for the forthcoming festival and outlined the programme of activities aimed at promoting unity, preserving Yala's rich cultural heritage and advancing community development across the local government area.

Speaking during the visit, Hon. Usibe disclosed that this year's celebration will feature a Unity Football Tournament involving teams from all 14 wards of Yala Local Government Area. The tournament will climax with a grand finale on 30 August 2026 at Christ the King Primary School, Okpoma, the main venue for the festival.

The committee further announced that the festival will include the ceremonial planting of an apple tree, a comprehensive medical outreach across the 14 wards, and the enrolment of 100 vulnerable residents into the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme. The beneficiaries will receive continued healthcare support through the sponsorship of the Ogar Okrache Save Alive Foundation.

In addition, the foundation stone for the construction of the first classroom block of a secondary school in Itega-Ekpudu will be laid during the festival as part of efforts to expand access to quality education within the community.

According to the committee, the theme for the 2026 edition, "Unity in Diversity," reflects its commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence, strengthening communal harmony and promoting collective development among the people of Yala.

The committee also revealed that the Unity Football Tournament will officially commence on Saturday, 8 August 2026, with members of the Central Planning Committee, officials of Yala Local Government Council and other distinguished guests expected to grace the opening ceremony.

The 2026 Yala New Yam Festival is being organised by Yala Local Government Council and the Yala Traditional Rulers Council in collaboration with the Ogar Okrache Save Alive Foundation.

Members of the delegation included the President of the Ogar Okrache Save Alive Foundation, Dr Christopher Ogar; Barr. Roland Ipuole; the Secretary of the Central Planning Committee, Sir Johnny Odo; Hon. Sunday Oko Ebeku Otolo; Hon. Eddie Achi; Barr. Ogar Wodah; Sir Francis Peters; Dominic Ogbeche (JackSolo); Joseph Odey (BobT); and Ebriku John Friday, JP.

Responding, High Chief Higgins Peters commended the committee for its foresight and commitment to promoting Yala's cultural identity. He assured the delegation of his full support and encouraged the committee to sustain its wide-ranging consultations and introduce innovative ideas that would make the festival more attractive, impactful and nationally recognised.

He expressed optimism that, with proper planning and sustained collaboration, the Yala New Yam Festival would attain the stature of other leading cultural festivals in Cross River State, such as the Leboku Festival, and ultimately earn a place on the state's official calendar of cultural events.

THANK YOU, YOUR EXCELLENCY: I REMAIN COMMITTED TO DELIVERING ON THE PEOPLE FIRST AGENDA

Tuesday July 28, 2026

I wish to express my deepest appreciation to His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, for the confidence he has once again reposed in me by retaining me as the Honourable Commissioner for Housing following the recent cabinet reshuffle.

This renewed trust is one I do not take for granted. It is both a great honour and a solemn responsibility that inspires me to rededicate myself to the vision of the People First administration. I remain grateful for the opportunity to continue serving alongside a visionary leader whose unwavering commitment to the growth and development of Cross River State continues to inspire excellence in public service.

As I continue in this capacity, I reaffirm my commitment to delivering on the mandate of the Ministry of Housing through policies and programmes that promote affordable, sustainable, and inclusive housing for our people. With renewed determination, integrity, accountability, and the fear of God, I will continue to work diligently in support of His Excellency’s vision of building a stronger, more prosperous, and economically vibrant Cross River State.

To the good people of our dear State, I assure you that this renewed confidence will only strengthen my resolve to serve with greater dedication and passion. By the grace of God, we will continue to build thriving communities, create lasting opportunities, and deliver impactful results that improve the lives of our people.

Dr. Beatrice Ifeanyi Igwe
Honourable Commissioner for Housing
Cross River State

Dr. Beatrice Igwe

MISSIONARY DIOCESE OF OGOJA _ ANGLICAN COMMUNION

ONGOING 1ST COUNCIL OF THE MISSIONARY DIOCESE OF OGOJA.
24|07|2026 - Day 1.

Theme: ARISE AND BUILD.
Text: Nehemiah 2:8
Venue: The Cathedral Church of St.Peter , Extreme Bansara Street Igoli Ogoja, Cross Rivers State.