FG Hails Otu As C’River Revives Newspaper Corporation, Printing Press

The Federal Government has commended Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu for reviving the state’s newspaper corporation and government printing press.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the commendation on Thursday in Calabar during the official reactivation of the remodelled Cross River State Newspaper Corporation and commissioning of the newly installed Government Printing Press.

Idris described the development as more than renovation and equipment installation, saying it represented the restoration of an important public institution and renewed confidence in journalism.

He said the investment was significant at a time when many newspapers were struggling to survive, stressing that credible journalism remained essential to strengthening public trust and countering misinformation.

The minister congratulated Otu, the Cross River State Government and the management and staff of the reactivated corporation, expressing confidence that the revitalised institution would strengthen the state’s voice and preserve its history.

The facility, now known as the Cross River Information Hub, houses the remodelled newspaper corporation and government printing press.

The newspaper corporation, which publishes the Nigerian Chronicle and Weekend Chronicle, became an important platform for public communication in the state.

However, the corporation suffered extensive vandalism and looting during the October 2020 #EndSARS crisis, leaving parts of its facilities damaged and its operations severely weakened.

The Otu administration subsequently embarked on comprehensive rehabilitation of the complex and procured modern digital printing equipment for the government press.

The new printing facility is expected to improve production of government gazettes, white papers, tender journals, enacted laws and other official documents. It is also expected to create opportunities for commercial printing.

Governor Otu said the revival was part of his administration’s broader effort to strengthen information channels.

He urged the newspaper’s management and journalists to verify facts before publication and avoid sensationalism.

The state government had earlier approved 25 permanent staff for the newspaper corporation to support its operations.

The revival marks a significant effort to restore a major media institution while preserving Cross River’s documentary heritage.

The project is expected to improve public communication, preserve records and support efficient government documentation.