Commendations have continued to pour in for the Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, with community and political leaders praising his strong grassroots connection, selfless service and impactful leadership.
Agbor’s country home in Etomi, Etung Local Government Area, has been a beehive of celebratory activities since his arrival in the community, with various groups, including women, youths, religious leaders and other community stakeholders, visiting to celebrate with him and pledge their support for the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commendations were made on Friday during a reception held at Agbor’s country home in Etomi to celebrate the Etung New Yam Festival, an annual cultural celebration observed every September 4.
Speaking at the reception, the Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Hon. Effiong Effiom Effiong, who joined the Etomi community to celebrate the festival, said Agbor had distinguished himself by recognising that leadership was not an individual endeavour, but a responsibility made possible by the support and sacrifices of the people at the grassroots.
Effiong noted that, unlike many political appointees who become disconnected from their communities after attaining positions of authority, Agbor had remained accessible and committed to his people. “When you see somebody who recognises that he alone cannot get it right, and that he cannot, from his comfort zone, take himself to the top, he appreciates the push and support of the people back home and returns to them,” he said.
The Akpabuyo chairman said Agbor had also distinguished himself by translating the opportunities afforded him in government into tangible benefits for his people, stressing that his contributions to the community went beyond his official remuneration.
According to him, Agbor’s commitment to his people was driven by genuine passion and love rather than the privileges associated with public office. He said the Special Adviser had remained closely connected to the grassroots, listening to the concerns of the people and supporting initiatives that promoted their wellbeing.
Effiong also commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for creating opportunities for young people to serve in his administration, urging political appointees to reciprocate such opportunities by returning to their communities and using their positions to bring hope and development to the people.
He said grassroots communities were not necessarily seeking political appointments, but leaders who would remain close to them, listen to their concerns and support their livelihoods. “You can only see this in the house of somebody who truly loves his people,” he said, urging the people to continue supporting and praying for Agbor.
Also speaking, elder statesman and political leader of Etomi, Ntufam Gabriel Odu Oji, described Agbor as a loyal and service-driven leader who had remained humble despite the authority entrusted to him. He said Agbor was different from leaders who become disconnected or carried away after attaining positions of power.
“Gilbert is not that kind of person. He is a man who wants to work. He is a man with power; he is not a man who is carried away by power. For him, power is service,” Odu Oji said, expressing confidence in Agbor’s character and commitment to public service.
In a separate remark, former Vice Chairman of Etung Local Government Area, Hon. Obi Obi, thanked Agbor for his leadership and contributions to Etomi, Etung and the wider political community. He also commended the Akpabuyo chairman for demonstrating friendship and good neighbourliness by attending the celebration.
Obi said Effiong’s presence at the reception was a meaningful demonstration of solidarity and friendship, adding that it had further enriched the celebration. He expressed appreciation for the support given to the community and called for continued collaboration among leaders and stakeholders towards the development and wellbeing of the people.
In his response, Barr. Gilbert Agbor attributed his modest contributions to his community to the leadership and opportunities provided by Governor Bassey Edet Otu, thanking the Governor for giving him the opportunity to serve in his administration and contribute his quota to the development of society. He said, as an appointee of government, he was duty-bound to bring the presence and impact of government closer to the people, particularly because the Governor could not be everywhere at the same time.
Agbor assured residents of Etomi and the larger Etung community that the Otu administration remained committed to delivering infrastructure and other development projects in the area in due course. He therefore solicited their continued support for the administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing the importance of sustained collaboration between the government and the grassroots in consolidating the gains of the administration.
