Cross River State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Abubakar Robert Ewa, has passed away at the Arubah Specialist Hospital in Calabar.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture in Cross River State, Mr. Abubakar Robert Ewa, has passed away. Ewa died on Wednesday evening at the Arubah Specialist Hospital in Calabar, the state capital.

At the time of this report, members of the Cross River State Executive Council and other aides to Governor Bassey Otu had gathered at the hospital to mourn with the bereaved family.

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Ewa had attended the state’s executive council meeting earlier that same day, presided over by Governor Otu, making his sudden passing all the more shocking to those who worked closely with him.

Throughout his career, Ewa served in various important roles in Cross River State, including as Secretary and later Chairman of the Boki Local Government Council.

He also served as Special Adviser on Community Relations and Secretary of the Anti-Deforestation Task Force.

His death has left a significant void in the state’s leadership, and tributes have poured in from colleagues, friends, and members of the public.

The state government and people of Cross River mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant who played an important role in the state’s development.

Governor Douye Diri defends the relocation of Central Park in Yenagoa, highlighting the move as part of his urban renewal plan to modernise the state capital.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has strongly defended the recent relocation of the Central Park in Yenagoa, describing it as a key component of his administration’s urban renewal programme aimed at transforming the state capital into a modern city.

Addressing the state executive council meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa, Diri explained that the centralisation of motor parks, such as the recent relocation of inter-state commercial transporters to the new state-owned transport terminal at Igbogene, was a crucial step in modernising the city.

He stressed that this development aligns with global standards for urban growth and was necessary to ensure Yenagoa’s evolution into a modern metropolis.

“Centralised motor parks are features of modern cities, which Yenagoa is gradually turning into,” Diri said. He also warned against the practice of touting around the terminal’s vicinity, reiterating that all travellers must go directly into the terminal for vehicle bookings and boarding.

The Governor further emphasised the security benefits of the relocation, stating that the new terminal would help monitor passengers entering the state and curb criminal activities. “We have stopped those who come into Bayelsa to commit crimes with the movement to the new terminal,” he added.

Diri highlighted his pride in the terminal’s success, noting, “I visited the new terminal and saw its beauty. This is what every modern society does.

For those who play politics and are still criticising, I am very sorry for them. Bayelsans are however happy with what we have done.”

The Governor also commented on the peaceful and crime-free Yuletide period, thanking security agencies for their collaborative efforts that ensured safety during the festive season.

He expressed particular appreciation for dancehall star Enetimi Odon (Timaya), who held the annual Timaya Day concert on January 1, which attracted a large crowd of youths and highlighted the tourism potential of Bayelsa.

“From what I saw, I believe there is hope for this country and our state. We all need to do what is right,” Diri reflected on the success of the event.

In addressing an incident of violence in the Agbere community in Sagbama Local Government Area, the Governor praised the leadership for maintaining peace and assured that investigations into the murder of a chief in the area would continue to uncover those responsible.

Diri’s statements underscore his ongoing efforts to modernise Yenagoa and promote security and tourism in Bayelsa, demonstrating a commitment to creating a safer, more developed environment for residents and visitors alike.

A Spanish tourist was killed by a stressed elephant during a bathing activity at a Thai sanctuary, raising concerns about animal welfare.

A tragic incident at a sanctuary in southern Thailand has claimed the life of a 23-year-old Spanish tourist. The woman was killed while participating in a bathing activity at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in Phang Nga province, local authorities reported on Monday.

The tourist was struck by the elephant’s trunk during what police described as a moment of distress for the animal. “A female tourist was killed while bathing an elephant,” confirmed Jaran Bangprasert, the local police chief. Efforts are underway to confirm her identity with assistance from the Spanish embassy.

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The sanctuary has declined to comment on the specifics of the incident, highlighting the growing tension between tourism activities and animal welfare concerns in Thailand.

Thailand has witnessed a significant number of fatalities caused by elephants, with 227 deaths reported over the past 12 years, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

While wild elephant encounters are the most common cause, incidents at controlled environments such as sanctuaries are rare.

Just last month, a 49-year-old woman was killed by an elephant at a national park in northern Thailand’s Loei province.

These tragedies underscore the unpredictability of interactions with these majestic but potentially dangerous animals.

Bathing elephants remains a popular tourist activity in Thailand, where approximately 2,800 elephants are used in tourism.

However, animal welfare organisations, such as World Animal Protection, have raised concerns over the stress these activities may cause elephants.

Some sanctuaries have started prohibiting elephant bathing to minimise distress, advocating for more ethical tourism practices that respect the animals’ natural behaviour and well-being.

While the allure of interacting with elephants draws millions of visitors to Thailand each year, incidents like these highlight the urgent need for stricter regulations in the wildlife tourism industry.

Animal rights advocates are pushing for better protection measures for both tourists and elephants, calling for a shift towards practices that prioritise ethical and sustainable tourism.