…30 ad-hoc hands engaged to launch new Government Printing Press
Governor Bassey Edet Otu has given the green light for 25 new employees to join the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of the Nigerian Chronicle and Weekend Chronicle, in a move aimed at reinforcing the outfit’s operational strength.
Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, announced the development in Calabar, noting that it comes on the heels of a major renovation of the Corporation’s premises — structures that have stood since 1971. He explained that the hiring process would follow due procedure through the Cross River State Civil Service Commission, the body constitutionally empowered to handle employment into the state’s civil and public service. He further disclosed that the Corporation currently manages with fewer than ten staff members, making the new intake especially significant.
Describing the refurbishment as more than cosmetic, Dr. Ekpang said it represents a fresh start for the state-owned media house, positioning it to better project Cross River’s cultural identity and serve as a trusted information channel. He commended the Governor’s “People First” approach and expressed confidence that the incoming staff would strengthen output at the Corporation’s publications.
Beyond the newsroom hires, the Governor has equally sanctioned 30 ad-hoc workers to get the newly installed Government Printing Press up and running. Situated within the Corporation’s complex, the press is set for commissioning shortly. According to Dr. Ekpang, this addition is designed to sharpen efficiency, widen production capacity, and grow state revenue while guaranteeing prompt delivery of publications. Ad-hoc staff will oversee press operations for an initial three-month period, after which the Governor may consider absorbing them into permanent civil service roles.
Reactions from within the media and communications community have been largely commendatory, with many describing the initiative as a genuine effort to restore public trust in state institutions. The recruitment and infrastructure upgrade are being read as part of a broader pattern in the Otu administration — one that spans roads, schools, hospitals, and now, the media sector — all under the banner of inclusive, forward-looking governance.
With new hands set to resume and the printing press preparing for its debut, the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation looks positioned to reclaim relevance in Nigeria’s media space, reinforcing the Governor’s message that no sector of the state will be neglected.
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