July 16, 2019
By Nelson Bond | For Biafra Writers
Cross River State (the people's paradise) is a coastal state located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, with Calabar as its capital, is a land endowed with bountiful natural resources, rain forest, tour sites, and rich cultural heritage; a land of true hospitality and peace; a land full of different ethnic groups, traditions and languages such as Efik, Ejagham, Yakurr, Bette, Yala, Igede, and Ukelle.
The state was created in May 1967. Cross River State occupies a total area of 20,156km2 (7,782 sq) and has a population of about 3,737,517. Created from the former eastern region (Biafra) by Gen. Yakubu Gowon regime, the present day Akwa Ibom State was exited from it in the state creation exercise of September 1987 by the then regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. Its capital city is Calabar which also served as the first capital territory of Nigeria. Other major cities in Cross River include Akampka, Ugep, Obubura, Ikom, and Ogoja.
Ogoja is one of the oldest provinces of Nigeria, and by right should have been declared a State. The failure to declare Ogoja a state is seen by the people of the area as a deliberate attempt to deny the people of Cross River State the opportunities for speedy development due to the vast land mass the current state encompasses.
The state from time immemorial has been an integral part of Biafra and would continue to be as seen in the role the people of the region played during the Nigeria/Biafra war. The spirit of oneness inherent in the people of Cross River asserted itself as they teamed up with their brothers in the hinterland to function as one family during the war.
In the three years of war that Biafra existed, people of Cross River occupied sensitive positions in Biafra government. For instance, Gen. Philip Effiong was the Deputy Head of State, while Dr. N. U Akpan was the Head of Government Affairs.
In 1975, barely five years behind the war, the Nigerian military visited genocide upon Cross River, killing, raping and burning down houses in Ugep. The sustained government crimes and marginalization against the people of Cross River left them no choice than to ask for the restoration of Biafra.
In a free state of Biafra, the people of Cross River are certain to enjoy safety, equal rights, justice, employment, and massive infrastructural development. Proper health care would be ensured for the people. Our educational system would become upgraded to Western standard or even more, and our farming mechanized.
It is therefore apparent that the fate of Cross River State will be great and enabling to all the citizens of the land. The people will have a true sense of belonging.
THE BIAFRA TIMES
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Edited By Nelson
Ofokar Yagazie
Publisher: Charles Opanwa
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