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Eight Years After: Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Calabar Community in Land Dispute

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Ndifereke BASSEY  After nearly a decade of legal contention, the Supreme Court has delivered a landmark judgment in favour of the Ikot Ansa community (Nkonib) in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, affirming their ownership of a disputed parcel of land. In Appeal No. SC/CV/295/2021, the apex court unanimously dismissed the appeal filed by Ntoe Ededem Okon Ayito, bringing finality to a protracted land tussle that has passed through all levels of Nigeria’s judicial system. The panel of Justice including Uwani Musa Abba Aji (Lead Justice), Mohammed Salawa, Stephen Adah, and Abubakar Sadik Umar upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal, which found that the appellant, Ayito, failed to sufficiently prove his title to the land based on traditional history as originally pleaded. The Supreme Court agreed with the appellate court that while Ayito later relied on acts of ownership and long possession, such claims could not substitute the requirement to establish title by tradit...

C'River North Senator, Jarigbe Agom Emerges "Hero of Democracy" in Cross River State

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By Benjamin GBOR, Calabar  As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day in honour of the historic June 12, 1993 elections, THE BEAGLE NEWS has announced Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as the recipient of its maiden prestigious 2025 Hero of Democracy award in Cross River State. Senator Jarigbe Agom  The award, which celebrates outstanding commitment to democratic values and impactful public service, was conferred on the senator following a rigorous editorial review and an independent opinion survey among readers across the state. In a formal notification dated June 10 and signed by the newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Judex O. Okoro, and Executive Editor, Dr. Anthony Bassey Ekpo, the editorial board praised Senator Jarigbe for his “resolute defence of democratic principles,” “remarkable contributions to human capital development,” and “numerous empowerment initiatives” that have uplifted lives, particularly in Cross River North Senatorial District. “This honour reflects your continued ...

Teenager Commits Suicide Over Poor JAMB Scores

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  19-year-old, Opesusi Faith Timilehin, has taken her own life in Ikorodu, Lagos State, after scoring 190 in 2025 UTME. Faith Timilehin took her own life in Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos State on Monday The Deceased Teenager  The teenager, originally from Abeokuta, had been living with her elder sister in Ikorodu. According to family and neighbours, Timilehin was a calm and respectful young woman with high academic hopes. She had applied to study Microbiology and was deeply disappointed by her score of 190, which she considered lower than her 2024 result. “She said her last year’s result was better than this year’s,” a close friend told News Central on the phone. After ingesting a substance known locally as Push Out-a common rodent poison Timilehin reportedly went to her sister’s office and asked for palm oil to ease the pain. Her sister, unaware of what had happened, initially ignored her request. Moments later, she raised an alarm when Timilehin’s condition worsened, attracting ...

Newly Elected Pontiff Makes Maiden Speech,Seeks To Build Bridges

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 In his first public address as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics around the world to embrace a mission of unity, dialogue and compassion. Pope Leo XIV Standing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica today, the newly elected pope outlined his vision for a Church that “builds bridges” and fosters open conversation. “We have to seek together to be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges and dialogue,” Pope Leo XIV declared to the cheering crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square. In remarks translated into English, the pope also urged the faithful to show  charity to others and “be in dialogue with love,” and unveiled his commitment to compassion and outreach across the world. Pope Leo XIV’s message signals a desire to strengthen ties both within the Catholic community and with the wider world, setting a tone of openness and reconciliation at the start of his papacy. Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States was  selected as the nex...

Prof Okokon to Deliver UNICAL 139th Inaugural Lecture

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The University of Calabar is set to host its 139th Inaugural Lecture on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the UNICAL International Conference Centre by 3:00 PM. The lecture, titled "Healthcare for Senior Citizens: Before Death and Beyond the Grave," will be delivered by Professor Ita Bassey Okokon, an esteemed Professor of Family Medicine in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, will serve as Chairman and Chief Host of the event. Members of the university community, health professionals, and the general public are invited to attend what promises to be a deeply engaging and intellectually stimulating session. See you there!

C'River Govt. Declares War on Illegal Mining, Urges Citizens To Ensure Environmental Protection

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   The Cross River State Government has issued a call to action while urging residents to join the fight against illegal mining activities that are threatening the state's environment, economy and public safety in mining communities in Cross River State. In a statement released on Friday  by Comrade Joseph Ekemoti Agbor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals expressed deep concern over the rise of unregulated mining operations across the state. Comrade Joseph Ekemoti Agbor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals  According to the governor's aide, these illegal activities are causing severe environmental degradation, polluting rivers, destroying farmlands and jeopardizing the livelihoods of extractive communities across the state. “Illegal mining is not just a crime against the state it’s a direct assault on our people, our economy, and our future. We must come together to protect our land from this exploitation.” Comrade Agbor described how a t...

Unical AAS Training Workshop: The Modules, The Gains

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Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) operations play a crucial role in various fields, including environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals, and food safety. Demonstrating AAS  This analytical technique is used to determine the concentration of specific elements in a sample, making it an essential tool for researchers, scientists, and industry professionals. The accuracy and reliability of AAS results are critical in making informed decisions, and therefore, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the technique and its applications. It is in recognition of the importance of AAS that the University of Calabar staged a comprehensive workshop on AAS operations, focusing on calibration, analyses, and heavy metal interpretations. The training brought together participants from various industries, government agencies, and academic institutions, highlighting the university's commitment to promoting collaboration and innovation. The workshop covered essential topics such as indu...