Elder Dr. Esu Effiong Esu

24/09/2025

REJOINDER ON THE PROTEST IN IKOT ISHIE, CALABAR MUNICIPALITY
Calabar, Cross River State, Wednesday, September 24, 2025

My attention has been drawn to the demonstrations recently staged in Ikot Ishie, Calabar Municipality, over my removal as Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Out of regard for truth, for the Governor I serve and for the people who look up to me, I consider it necessary to put the record straight.

I must make it known that I had no hand in organizing, sponsoring, or encouraging that protest. I was not present, I did not send emissaries, and I did not give my blessing to it in any form. Whatever was done on that day sprang entirely from the decisions of individuals who chose to express themselves in their own way. Those actions, however passionate, should not be mistaken as mine. My public life has always been guided by calm judgment, not agitation.

My devotion remains with His Excellency, Apostle Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, and with Her Excellency, Bishop (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu. My commitment to them is not conditional or fragile; it is a matter of principle and conscience. Just as bonds in nature hold firm under strain, my allegiance does not dissolve when circumstances change.

To my kith and kin in Calabar Municipality, I say this: I hear your voices, and I do not take your affection for granted. It moves me deeply to know that men, women, and youths would stand out in the sun on my account. At the same time, the same passion which drives protest can also, if not carefully guided, be misread or misapplied. Government is not a vessel tilted until it spills; it is a measured blend in which many interests must be balanced for the good of the state at large. Decisions that may appear harsh in the moment often serve a far-reaching design that only the leader entrusted with the helm can fully see.

The strength poured into chanting and marching can serve us better if directed toward cooperation with the Governor’s plans. Energy, when properly channelled, powers great achievements. When thrown about without focus, it dies away like embers in the rain. I therefore appeal to my sons and daughters: let us place our strength where it truly counts in partnership, not protest.

I distance myself completely from the events of those days. I did not raise those placards, I did not author those slogans, and I do not endorse the sentiments shouted in the streets. My respect for the Governor’s authority is whole, and my faith in his vision for Cross River State remains firm. My concern has never been to fan division but to strengthen the ties that hold us together as one fold.

Public service is not defined by the title one holds but by the spirit one brings to the task. The office of SUBEB Chairman was an avenue through which I served; its conclusion does not end my duty. When one door closes, another form of service opens. Just as reactions in nature often give birth to new compounds, I believe fresh opportunities will emerge for me to contribute to education, to youth, and to the progress of our State.

In that spirit, I also extend my best wishes to Mrs. Fidelia Okpo Ene in her new assignment. May her leadership bring continued growth to the Board and to the future of our children.

To those who may feel wounded by my removal, I say this: no single leader embodies the destiny of a people. Our true power lies not in clinging to one appointment but in standing together with the government we elected. I ask you to remain loyal in supporting His Excellency’s “People First” agenda, for in it lies the advancement we all desire.

In closing, let me assure everyone that my path remains firmly aligned with His Excellency, Apostle Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and Her Excellency, Bishop (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu. I continue to offer them my devotion, my prayers, and my support. My story is not one of rebellion but of service, and I intend to keep it so. I remain, as always, a servant of Cross River State, ready to contribute wherever duty calls.

Signed,
Elder Dr. Esu Effiong Esu
Ward 6, Calabar Municipality.

09/08/2025

09/08/2025

Cross River State Rounds Off Statewide Jolly Phonics Teacher Training with Central and Northern Senatorial Districts
By Dr. Pam
Date: 9 August 2025

In Cross River State, the final stage of a major literacy drive has concluded, a clear step forward for foundational learning in public schools. Over the past week, teachers from the South, Central and North Senatorial Districts attended rigorous training in Jolly Phonics, a well-established synthetic phonics method now central to the state’s early years literacy plan.

Jolly Phonics trains teachers to present the 42 essential English sound units sequentially, building phonemic awareness and teaching pupils to blend and segment words accurately. The method goes beyond letter naming, equipping children to decode unfamiliar words and to encode spoken language into correct written form. Each phoneme is tied to a kinaesthetic cue that supports recall, such as a hand movement that imitates a snake for the /s/ sound or outstretched arms for the /n/ sound. Those physical prompts, together with oral modelling, visual prompts and repeated practice, engage several sensory channels to help pupils remember and apply sounds.

The programme also tackles high-frequency irregular words known as tricky words, which cannot be decoded using standard phonics rules. Teachers learn visual association techniques, focused recall drills and frequent practice within actual reading and writing activities. Typical lessons combine storytelling, choral repetition, kinaesthetic participation, dictation and classroom games to keep young learners active while building confidence and reading fluency.

The 2025 Jolly Phonics Teacher Training was delivered by Universal Learning Solutions in partnership with the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the State Government. The programme targeted teachers in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), Primary 1 and Primary 2, with a focus on sharpening classroom practice, pacing lessons well and strengthening day-to-day classroom routines for early literacy.

Training began in the Southern Senatorial District from 4 to 6 August at Government Primary School State Housing Estate, Calabar. Teachers from Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Biase, Odukpani and Akamkpa participated. Sessions included demonstrations of lesson sequencing, guided practice in blending and segmenting routines, and methods for incorporating tricky words into daily literacy lessons. By the end of the 3rd day, many teachers had prepared full phonics timetables to use in the new term.

From 7 to 9 August, the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts completed the training programme. In the Central District, Asu Egbe Primary School, Ikom, hosted teachers from Ikom, Boki, Etung, Yakurr and Abi. Work there focused on microteaching, collaborative lesson design, formative checks on pupil progress and ways to adapt instruction to mixed-ability classes without slowing the pace.

In the Northern District, St. Theresa’s Primary School, Abakpa, Ogoja, welcomed teachers from Ogoja, Bekwarra, Yala, Obanliku and Obudu. The sessions combined phoneme articulation drills with classroom games and story-based activities intended to keep learners attentive while reinforcing target sounds. Facilitators also coached teachers on adding multi-sensory elements into the daily literacy block to support comprehension and long-term retention.

Attendance records for August 2025 show the reach of the programme:

Government Primary School State Housing, Calabar South — ECCD: 56, Primary 1: 110, Primary 2: 110
Army Primary School, Akamkpa, South — ECCD: 55, Primary 1: 110, Primary 2: 111
Asu Egbe Primary School, Ikom, Central — ECCD: 54, Primary 1: 111, Primary 2: 111
St. Theresa’s Primary School, Abakpa, Ogoja, North — ECCD: 59, Primary 1: 110, Primary 2: 111
St. Charles Primary School, Obudu, North — ECCD: 26, Primary 1: 59, Primary 2: 57

In total, 1,250 teachers completed the training, including 250 in ECCD, 500 in Primary 1 and 500 in Primary 2.

All facilitators were certified Jolly Phonics trainers with classroom experience in early literacy teaching. Sessions combined demonstration, guided practice, peer feedback and reflective discussion so that each participant left with classroom-ready techniques. Even in large groups, facilitators kept participation high and preserved instructional quality.

This success reflects clear leadership at every level. Elder Dr. Esu Effiong Esu, Executive Chairman of SUBEB, described the programme as “a turning point for early literacy in Cross River State. We have given our teachers the tools to ignite a reading culture from the earliest stages, and the impact will be seen in every classroom.” His attention to planning, quality and measurable outcomes gave the programme practical direction and urgency.

Tony Horsfall, Project Manager for Jolly Phonics in Cross River State, said, “The dedication shown by teachers across all districts has been remarkable. Our aim was to ensure each participant left confident, skilled and ready to transform literacy lessons into engaging, productive learning experiences, and we achieved that.”

Governor Apostle Senator Prince Bassey Otu reaffirmed his administration’s stance on education, noting, “Foundational literacy is not negotiable. If we get reading right in the early years, every other subject follows. This is why we will continue to invest in teacher training and make sure no child is left behind.” With UBEC’s national support, his policies have turned early literacy into a flagship achievement for the state.

With the final sessions on 9 August, Cross River State has completed the 2025 Jolly Phonics Teacher Training across all 18 local government areas. The result is a motivated and highly skilled group of teachers, ready to bring advanced phonics practice to ECCD and lower primary classrooms so that every child has the chance to gain solid reading and writing skills.

06/08/2025

Apostle of Learning: SUBEB’s Bold Literacy Journey Under Elder Dr. Esu.

Date: 6th August 2025.

Cross River State is gradually taking its place again as a national reference in basic education delivery. With the renewed implementation of the Jolly Phonics Teacher Professional Development (TPD) program in August 2025, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), under the pragmatic leadership of Elder Dr. Esu Effiong Esu, has begun writing a new chapter in early-grade literacy reform. This reactivation, timely and intentionally designed, reflects a purposeful learning agenda that matches the “People First” vision of His Excellency, Governor Apostle Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.

In 2018, Cross River was among the first implementing states of Jolly Phonics through a partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission and Universal Learning Solutions. The state recorded the training of 550 classroom teachers and 1,050 head teachers, bringing the total to over 1,600 educators, well beyond the commonly quoted figure of "more than 1,000." That milestone created a strong instructional base for the current Jolly Phonics reintroduction, which has now been redesigned for expanded reach and long-term sustainability. This time, the training is systematically organised across the three senatorial divisions of the state, providing targeted teacher engagement and improved logistics. What began as a promising intervention is now advancing into a coordinated teaching and learning reform.

The program resumed formally on August 4, 2025, beginning with the Cross River South Senatorial District. SUBEB commenced the training activities at Government Primary School, State Housing Estate, Calabar. Teachers from all seven local government areas within the division, including Calabar Municipal, Calabar South, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Biase, Akamkpa and Odukpani, participated in three days of interactive methodology sessions focused on phonics-based literacy instruction. The training concluded successfully on 6th August 2025, with full delivery of content, total teacher turnout and excellent facilitator performance. Reports from field observers confirmed that participant engagement was high, lesson simulations were effective and educators left with a clear understanding of how to implement synthetic phonics in diverse classroom settings.

The next training phase begins on August 7 in Ikom and targets teachers from the Central Senatorial District. The participating local governments include Ikom, Obubra, Boki, Etung, Abi and Yakurr. This second group will also undergo three days of training, concluding on August 9. The final division, covering Cross River North, remains in planning with official dates yet to be announced. Local government areas such as Obudu, Obanliku, Bekwarra, Ogoja and Yala are expected to participate once the next schedule is released. This intentionally designed, phased approach reflects SUBEB’s commitment to equitable training access, decentralised implementation and continuous learning support across all 18 local government areas in Cross River State.

Jolly Phonics is a globally endorsed synthetic phonics approach recognised by education ministries in over 100 countries. It has been validated through rigorous classroom studies and adapted effectively across Nigeria. States such as Lagos, Kano, Zamfara, Ekiti and Kwara have recorded measurable improvements in early reading fluency, word recognition and writing competence through this model. It blends auditory, visual and kinesthetic strategies that allow pupils to learn how to decode and construct language with confidence from the earliest levels of primary schooling. By returning to this research-backed program, Cross River is signalling its determination to reposition its schools for measurable reading success.

This program rollout under the supervision of Elder Dr. Esu is not about compliance, but about professional learning accountability. His leadership continues to reflect what quality education leadership should embody. From the planning stages to delivery, the approach taken has been anchored in practical pedagogy, built on instructional relevance and designed to achieve instructional clarity. Under his watch, the SUBEB team has promoted inclusive participation, reaching both remote and urban-based educators. Facilitators were carefully selected and training feedback loops are already being integrated for real-time program evaluation. This represents the best practices of teacher professional learning design, where impact is not assumed, but documented and improved upon.

Governor Bassey Otu’s administration has equally demonstrated support for education as a core lever of state development. Through consistent budgeting and policy coherence, the government has enabled SUBEB to function at full capacity. This renewed investment in early-grade teacher competence confirms that the state understands what global education experts agree on. When teachers are empowered, learning outcomes improve. When reading is established early, every other subject becomes accessible.

Cross River is not waiting for external validation. It is taking intentional steps to change the direction of learning. From Calabar to Ikom and soon to the northern districts, the evidence of reform is visible. Teachers are not simply attending workshops. They are gaining instructional tools that have been tested, proven and contextually adapted. Children will not just go to school. They will come out reading, writing and understanding, as defined by the expected literacy standards in the Nigerian education system.

This is what strategic leadership delivers when it reflects shared direction, professional values, realistic timelines and classroom realities. This is what happens when an educational vision is reinforced with planning, reflection and action. Elder Dr. Esu Effiong Esu, SUBEB, Jolly Phonics partners and the Cross River State Government are showing what it truly means for literacy to become not just a priority, but a professional mission with measurable outcomes.

06/08/2025

BREAKING NEWS

01/08/2025

📢 August Greetings from Elder Dr. Esu Effiong Esu, Executive Chairman, CR-SUBEB

A new month is here, and I just want to say thank you.

To our instructional leaders, head teachers, support staff, and every hand helping to lift basic education in Cross River State: your work matters. Deeply.

August gives us one more chance to keep things moving forward. To get sharper, more focused, more intentional about the future we’re shaping in our classrooms.

To the parents, caregivers, and community heads walking this journey with us, your support is the glue holding many things together.

And to every educator, linguist, and silent builder of minds, you may not always see it, but the impact you’re making will outlive you.

Let’s walk into this month with purpose, clear eyes, and grounded commitment. What we’re building isn’t just about now, it’s about who comes after us.

📘 Forward, always
Elder Dr. Esu Effiong Esu
Executive Chairman, CR-SUBEB

24/07/2025

: 25/7/2025

13/07/2025

Birthday Felicitation to Elder Dr. Esu Effiong Esu
Executive Chairman, Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board

The entire Board, Management, and Staff of the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR SUBEB) extend our warmest felicitations to our Executive Chairman, Elder Dr. Esu Effiong Esu, on the occasion of his birthday.

This day presents an opportunity to recognize your exceptional leadership and your consistent pursuit of excellence in the basic education sector of Cross River State. Your focus on quality assurance, transparency, and tangible results has strengthened the systems that drive effective teaching and learning across the state.

Through your purposeful leadership, CR SUBEB has recorded visible improvements in school development, teacher capacity building, and the effective implementation of educational initiatives. These efforts are aligned with the vision of inclusive, relevant, and high-quality education for every child.

On this special occasion, we join your family, colleagues, and stakeholders in the education ecosystem to celebrate your dedication and far-reaching contributions. We wish you continued good health, sound judgment, and even greater achievements in the years ahead.

Happy Birthday, Elder Dr. Esu Effiong Esu.

From all of us at
Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR SUBEB)

08/07/2025

PRESS STATEMENT

One Year of Strategic Leadership in Basic Education: Elder (Dr.) Esu Effiong Esu's Service Delivery Impact Across Cross River State
8th July 2025 | Calabar, Cross River State

On 8th July 2024, Elder (Dr.) Esu Effiong Esu assumed office as the Executive Chairman of the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board. Exactly one year later, the result of his tenure is reflected in a clearly structured implementation of the state's Basic Education Infrastructure Recovery Plan, driven by physical evidence, onsite monitoring, and direct coordination with the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs). Under his direction, the Board has executed a state-wide basic education restoration strategy, guided by physical rehabilitation, equity-based project delivery, and operational discipline.

All three senatorial districts recorded targeted school infrastructure interventions within this period. In the Southern Senatorial District, education access equity, and physical learning environment recovery were prioritized. Bakassi, Akpabuyo, and Akamkpa experienced full classroom reconstruction in identified cluster schools under the Education Access Recovery Plan, while in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality, upgrades were conducted in high-density areas where classroom congestion had directly impacted learning. SUBEB interventions in these areas ensured compliance with service delivery standards for safe and inclusive learning environments. In Odukpani, key schools were rehabilitated with improved roofing, structural stability, and school fencing.

In the Central Senatorial District, project delivery was based on field-level school condition assessments and enrolment pressures. In Abi, Biase, and Yakurr, classroom blocks were rehabilitated with sanitation units, addressing WASH-related gaps and removing infrastructure-based barriers to attendance. In Obubra, Etung, Ikom, and Boki, learning environments were improved with reinforced roofing, classroom furniture, and restored water supply. These areas had experienced infrastructure fatigue, directly affecting instructional time and learning outcomes.

In the Northern Senatorial District, interventions targeted physical disrepair and access constraints, particularly in remote communities. In Obudu and Obanliku, schools previously marked as structurally unsafe were reconstructed and brought back into public use. In Yala, Ogoja, and Bekwarra, rehabilitation works focused on structural stabilization, improved classroom arrangement, new toilet construction, and perimeter wall restoration. These improvements were based on verified needs from school visits and infrastructure audits.

These results were achieved through efficient engagement with the Universal Basic Education Commission. Elder (Dr.) Esu led the timely submission of project proposals, ensured transparent fund retirement, and maintained full procedural compliance. Cross River State adhered strictly to national education infrastructure standards, procurement regulations, and reporting guidelines, restoring institutional credibility with UBEC and related agencies.

Institutional support from His Excellency, Governor Apostle Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, was a key enabler throughout the reporting period. His policy consistency, timely budget clearance, and education-focused governance approach allowed SUBEB to implement its recovery programme without bureaucratic delay. Elder (Dr.) Esu utilised this support to ensure that project implementation remained focused and uninterrupted.

Within the Board, performance improved across departments. Monitoring, Evaluation, and field supervision systems were reactivated, resulting in improved project verification and reporting. Submissions and activity timelines were enforced across technical units, and project status updates were consistently reviewed at the executive level. Internally, the Board's operational structure became more responsive, and field teams were held to measurable standards.

At the school level, relationships between the Board and education personnel improved significantly. Head Teachers in public primary schools and Principals in junior secondary schools reported increased contact with SUBEB through inspection visits, needs assessments, and follow-up monitoring. Teachers and administrators acknowledged the transformation in engagement style, from passive reporting to direct involvement, with visible changes in school infrastructure and working conditions.

Over 200 classrooms were rehabilitated or reconstructed across the state. More than 60 schools received new toilets and water facilities. Learner furniture was supplied to schools with verified shortages based on enrolment data. Schools previously considered unsafe or unsuitable for learning were restored to operational standards. Every Local Government Area received attention during the year: Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Odukpani, Abi, Yakurr, Biase, Ikom, Obubra, Etung, Boki, Obudu, Obanliku, Ogoja, Bekwarra, and Yala.

All project locations were selected using school condition data, enrolment trends, infrastructure risk, and field-level verification. Delivery schedules and contractor performance were reviewed in person, ensuring physical confirmation before completion certificates were issued.

As Elder (Dr.) Esu enters his second year in office, the Board is preparing to deploy a digital school infrastructure tracking platform, strengthen continuous teacher development, and expand inclusive access for children with special needs. Emphasis will also be placed on community-level monitoring, school-based management committee training, and sustainability protocols for completed projects.

The performance of SUBEB under his leadership over the past year confirms that institutional reform is possible within Nigeria's basic education system. Elder (Dr.) Esu has shown that strong leadership, technical consistency, and direct project supervision can deliver visible, lasting change. The Board is now operationally stable, field responsive, and structurally equipped to drive the next phase of public education development in Cross River State.

Issued by the Office of the Executive Chairman
Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)
8th July 2025

01/07/2025

A New Month Greeting to the Good People of Cross River State and Nigeria
From the Executive Chairman, Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board CR SUBEB
1st July, 2025

Dear Citizens of Cross River State and Fellow Nigerians,

As we step into the month of July 2025, I extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes on behalf of the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board.

This new month arrives not just as a turn of the calendar but as a renewed occasion for reflection and purposeful momentum. July offers us a moment to consider our collective journey, to deepen our intentions, adjust our focus, and press onward with vision and determination.

At CR SUBEB, we are guided by a deeply held conviction that foundational education is not only a public duty but a lasting legacy we owe to every child. It is through education that we prepare the minds that will one day shape our state and country. We continue to advance systems that empower learners, uplift teachers, and support families in every local government area of our dear state.

To the devoted educators whose hands build futures, to the parents and guardians whose encouragement nurtures growth, and to the children whose dreams inspire all our labour, we celebrate you. Your efforts sustain the mission. Your enduring spirit gives meaning to our shared progress.

May the month of July bring calm to your hearts, clarity to your paths, and fulfillment in all your endeavours. May it also awaken fresh ideas, deeper collaborations, and the will to move forward together, not only in Cross River State but throughout Nigeria.

Happy New Month.

With sincere appreciation
Elder (Dr.) Esu Effiong Esu
Executive Chairman
Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board CR SUBEB

11/06/2025

June 12 Democracy Day Message
From Elder (Dr.) Esu Effiong Esu
Executive Chairman, CR SUBEB

Today, as we commemorate June 12, we honour the enduring strength of our democracy, a legacy born of sacrifice and sustained by the collective will of the Nigerian people.

Democracy is not just a system of governance; it is the voice of the people made manifest through participation, justice, and equality. At CR SUBEB, we recognize that the foundation of any thriving democracy lies in education. Informed citizens are the bedrock of informed choices and responsible leadership.

On this historic day, we are called not only to reflect but to recommit ourselves to the values that bind us together as a nation. Unity, accountability, and inclusion must guide our efforts at every level. Let us continue to educate, uplift, and empower every child, for in their growth lies the future of the democracy we celebrate today.

Long live democracy. Long live Cross River State. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed
Elder (Dr.) Esu Effiong Esu
Executive Chairman
Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR SUBEB)

06/06/2025

🌙🕌✨ Eid ul Adha Mubarak ✨🕌🌙

As the crescent moon ushers in the sacred days of Eid ul Adha, we extend our heartfelt felicitations to our Muslim brothers and sisters across Cross River State and beyond. In this solemn yet joyous season, may the enduring virtues of sacrifice, devotion, compassion, and unity, reflecting the resolute faith of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), find renewed expression in our collective hearts.

Let this divine occasion not only rekindle the sacred bonds of kinship and spiritual fellowship but also summon forth the deeper call to selflessness and reflection that lies at the very core of this celebration.

May your prayers ascend, your homes be filled with peace, and your hearts overflow with joy. As we stand in solidarity with the Ummah in faith and fellowship, we wish you and your loved ones a profoundly blessed and joyous Eid.

Eid Mubarak 🌙🕊️
ELDER (DR.) ESU EFFIONG ESU
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN CR-SUBEB