By Frank Ulom
Governor Bassey Otu has approved the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS).
This was part of the key resolutions of the 18th meeting of the Cross River State Executive Council held on Wednesday 6th December 2023.
Accordingly, the decision for the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at UNICROSS is to strengthen the medical doctors workforce in the state.
“…Council also approved the establishment of a Faculty of Medicine in the State-owned University of Cross River. The Governor said this is to enable the State to meet its need for Medical Doctors,” part of the resolution as contained in a press release signed by Erasmus Ekpang, Commissioner for Information stated.
CONVERSEER reports that the name of the state-owned university was changed by former Governor Ben Ayade from Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) to UNICROSS so as to entertain courses like Medicine, Law, and more.
Meanwhile, the SEC meeting presided over by Deputy Governor Peter Odey also approved in principle the establishment of a Cross River State Diaspora Agency.
According to the Governor, “…I am aware that as a State, we have a significant population of our indigenes living and working overseas. A lot of our Diasporans maintain strong ties with the homeland but many others do not.
“As a Government, there is a need for an institutional framework that coordinates engagements with our sons and daughters based overseas, other African Countries and even in other parts of the Country. There are mutual benefits in the existence of such governmental institutions partnering with Diasporans…”…as clearly enunciated in our People First Philosophy, Government entails the participation of all citizens, irrespective of their places of residence and businesses…”
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The SEC further approved the establishment and take-off of the Cross River State Agricultural Development Fund (Project Grow) with a collateral of N30bn by the State Government over a six-year period.
The Fund is expected to generate N150bn in finance for 100,000 small farmers with a special focus on five value chains; Rice, Maize, Cassava, Livestock and Fisheries.
“To this end, Council approved the release of N150m as take-off fund towards the implementation of the project,” the statement said.
Several other projects were approved by the SEC including road rehabilitation, beautification of Calabar, renovation of the State Judiciary headquarters building and the Moore Road Multi-Court Building, and several others.