Employment: C’River Approves 25 Newspaper Jobs, 30 Printing Press Workers

CALABAR – The Cross River State Government has approved the recruitment of 25 permanent staff for the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of the Nigerian Chronicle and Weekend Chronicle, as part of efforts to revive the state-owned media organisation and restore its operational capacity.

The government also approved the engagement of 30 ad-hoc workers to commence operations at the newly installed Government Printing Press located within the Corporation’s premises in Calabar.

Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, disclosed the approvals while briefing journalists in Calabar, describing the development as a significant milestone in the revitalisation of one of the state’s oldest public institutions.

He said the recruitment followed the comprehensive renovation and remodelling of the Corporation’s buildings, originally constructed in 1971, noting that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Cross River State Civil Service Commission.

Dr. Ekpang revealed that the Nigerian Chronicle currently operates with fewer than 10 staff members, making the recruitment crucial to restoring the organisation’s productivity and strengthening its workforce.

“I sincerely thank His Excellency, our ‘People First’ Governor for his direction and commitment to completing this remodelling of the Nigerian Chronicle. These new staff, I am confident when they come onboard, would truly boost the workforce of the Corporation and reposition it for better service delivery in their publications,” he said.

The Commissioner said Governor Bassey Otu’s approval of 30 ad-hoc personnel for the Government Printing Press would enable the facility to begin production ahead of its planned commissioning.

According to him, the ad-hoc workers are expected to manage operations at the press for an initial period of three months, after which the government may consider offering permanent appointments based on operational needs.

“This strategic intervention is expected to enhance efficiency, expand production capacity, boost the State’s revenue and ensure timely delivery of quality publications to the people of Cross River State and beyond,” Dr. Ekpang said.

He added that reviving the printing press would reduce dependence on external printing services while creating opportunities to generate additional internally generated revenue through commercial printing activities.

The Information Commissioner further explained that the rehabilitation of the Newspaper Corporation’s decades-old infrastructure represents part of the state government’s broader plan to modernise public institutions and improve service delivery across sectors.

He noted that restoring the Corporation’s facilities and expanding its workforce would strengthen government communication while preserving an institution that has served Cross River State for more than five decades.

The recruitment drive and reopening of the Government Printing Press are expected to reposition the Nigerian Chronicle as a stronger public media organisation and enhance its capacity to deliver news, public information and commercial printing services across the state.

The approvals come as the Cross River State Government continues efforts to upgrade public infrastructure and improve institutional efficiency through investments in both physical facilities and human resources.