The Cross River State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ambassador Soni Abang, has pledged that Cross River would take the “driving seat” in political and grassroots mobilisation.
Ambassador Abang who is also the Executive Director of Finance and Administration for the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), made the pledge during a meeting with the 18 Local Government Coordinators, with a charge to take the Renewed Hope message to every community, describing their appointments as the foundation of structured grassroots engagement across the state. The maiden meeting of the coordinators held on Wednesday at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, Cross River.
Abang told the coordinators that their appointments were personally endorsed by Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu and should be seen as both an honour and a responsibility.
“This appointment came from the very highest level of our state. The governor personally made this appointment and he knows each and every one of you here today,” he said, noting that they were chosen for proven loyalty, competence, and leadership capacity.
He explained that the coordinators represent the pioneer class of a deliberate structure designed to build long-term political and leadership strength in Cross River State. Abang highlighted that the Renewed Hope Movement is a direct initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to communicate government policies and achievements directly to Nigerians, beyond conventional media channels. While the President initially proposed governors anchor the structure, Governor Otu nominated him without prior notice.
Outlining their mandate, Abang said the coordinators are to articulate federal policies, counter misinformation, project key achievements, and serve as a feedback mechanism on federal and state projects. He announced the distribution of a “Major Milestones” document detailing the Tinubu administration’s achievements to support fact-based engagement.
Abang further urged the coordinators to highlight Governor Otu’s “People First” achievements, noting that the administration inherited over ₦250 billion in domestic debt and nearly $230 million in foreign debt, alongside salary and pension arrears, but has since reduced local debt significantly and recovered Tinapa, previously used as loan collateral. Coordinators were empowered to inspect projects in their local government areas and report accordingly.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. (Chief) Emmanuel Ironbar, praised Abang’s “dogged and resilient” spirit as a predictor of successful task completion. He urged the coordinators to work closely with local government chairmen, deliver on their responsibilities, and aim for a significant increase in the state’s voting strength, warning that performance would be closely monitored.
Speaking on behalf of the three senatorial districts, Victor Ofum Agbor (Boki), Mr. Kennedy Ubi Ibiang (Yakurr), Mr. Amissine Usetu Ogban (Biase), Barr. Ene Cobham (Bakassi), Engr. Martin Abraka Itim (Obanliku), and Mr. Udey Clement Ikawu (Ogoja) pledged their commitment to actualising the Renewed Hope and People First agendas of both the federal and state governments. They promised effective mobilisation, strengthened ward structures, and clear communication of government policies across their local government areas.
The 18 Local Government Coordinators include: Pastor Daniel Isang (Abi); Hon. Charles Ikpeme (Akamkpa); Hon. Etim Bassey Effiong (Akpabuyo); Hon. Chief Barr. Ene Cobham (Bakassi); Hon. Agabi Ignatius Adida (Bekwarra); Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong (Calabar Municipal); Elder Archibong Ironbar (Calabar South); Engr. Martin Abraka Itim (Obanliku); Cmrd. Ekpenyong Obo (Odukpani); Mr. Canice Aniah (Obudu); Hon. Uchuod Marcellus Ebi (Yala); Mr. Udey Clement Ikawu (Ogoja); Mr. Marshal Dickson Ayo (Obubra); Mr. Emmanuel Ndum (Etung); Mr. Mbissang Abung (Ikom); Mr. Amissine Usetu Ogban (Biase); Mr. Kennedy Ubi Ibiang (Yakurr); and Mr. Victor Ofum Agbor (Boki).
Also present in the meeting were: Statesman Ntufam Peter Ojie; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk; Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Oden Ewa; Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba; former Commissioner for Power, High Chief Timmy Tom Udam, among others.
The maiden meeting concluded with plans to inaugurate local government and ward structures, formally setting the Renewed Hope grassroots machinery in motion across Cross River State.
Kingsley Agim
