..as Archbishop Isong Warns Against Divisive Rhetoric
Cross River State Governor, Sen Bassey Edet Otu, has called on Nigerians to remain committed to peace, unity, and the collective responsibility of building a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit.
The Governor made the call through the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, at an Interdenominational thanksgiving Service held at the Christian Central Chapel, Ikot Eneobong, 8 Miles, Calabar, to commemorate Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary.
Describing the anniversary as an opportunity to appreciate God's faithfulness and reflect on the sacrifices of past heroes, Otu said: "Independence is more than the remembrance of a date in our history. It is a reminder of the sacrifices of those who came before us and of the responsibility placed on our generation to build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit."
He noted that despite the challenges Nigeria has faced since 1960, the national spirit has endured. "Nigeria has travelled a long road since 1960. Yet, through it all, the Nigerian spirit has endured. Our people remain resilient, enterprising and deeply committed to the hope of a better country," he said.
The Governor said his administration remained conscious of the work required to improve lives through opportunities for youths, stronger education and healthcare, support for enterprise, improved infrastructure, and increased investment. Reaffirming his People First agenda, he stated: "We will continue to work deliberately towards a state where our people can live in peace, work with dignity and look to the future with confidence. But the government cannot do this alone."
He called for collective effort from the Church, traditional institutions, the private sector, civil society, young people, and citizens at large to advance the development of Cross River State and Nigeria.
Otu further called for prayers for wisdom for leaders, peace in communities, protection for security personnel, and comfort for struggling families. "As we pray for Nigeria today, let us pray for wisdom for our leaders at every level. Let us also pray for greater unity in our country," he said.
On the subject of diversity, the Governor urged Nigerians to embrace their differences as a source of strength rather than division. "Our diversity should not divide us. We may come from different ethnic groups, speak different languages and practise different faiths, but we share one country and one collective destiny," he said, calling on citizens to reject violence, uphold the rule of law, and remain hopeful and committed to nation-building.
In his sermon, titled "Using Your Past Testimonies to Unlock Your New Miracle," the President of Christian Central Chapel International Faith Mansion World Centre, Archbishop Emma Gospel Isong, drew on Exodus 15:22–27 to recount the Israelites' experience at Marah following their crossing of the Red Sea.
He noted that although the Israelites encountered bitter water in the wilderness, God provided a solution through Moses, transforming the water into a source of sustenance, an account, he said, that demonstrates how past testimonies can strengthen faith in difficult moments.
The Archbishop encouraged Nigerians to remember God's faithfulness, remain hopeful, and continue praying for wisdom for leaders, peace across communities, protection for security personnel, and greater opportunities for young people. Cautioning against divisive rhetoric that castigates and criminalises leaders, he urged citizens instead to engage government through constructive, solution-oriented criticism, and to remain united, reject hatred and violence, and speak positively about Cross River State and Nigeria at all times.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the service, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Hon Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, who read the second Bible lesson, from Hebrews 11:23–29, urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and focused, cautioning against comparing individual progress with that of others without regard for differing circumstances. "We see some of our peers that started with us that are ahead of us. We fail to understand that it could have been worse. Every child has his own time, and we are moving at our own pace and time within the confines of God's covenant with us," he said.
Cobham said Nigeria had sufficient reason to celebrate its progress despite prevailing difficulties, expressing confidence in the country's economic recovery. "The prospects are enormous, and we have cause to thank God, in spite of all the challenges we might have," he said, adding that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had brought renewed hope and placed the country on a path of economic revitalisation. "All the indicators, economically, show that Nigeria is on the path of revitalisation and recovery," he said.
On developments in Cross River State, the Commissioner said the Otu administration had brought significant change, with increased economic activity and growing confidence in the state's future, citing rising air travel through Calabar as one indicator of expanding movement and economic activity. He urged Cross Riverians to remain focused and confident in the direction of the State.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, said the Independence anniversary offered an opportunity to give thanks to God for sustaining Nigeria's unity despite its diversity. "For me, it is all glory to God because, despite our diversity in religion, politics, culture and tradition, and our multiplicity of languages, Nigeria has remained united since independence," he said. He urged Nigerians to continue praying, remain hopeful, promote national unity, and support their leaders in advancing the country's development, acknowledging the nation's challenges while maintaining that sustained progress remained achievable through unity and peace.
The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Akon Ikpeme, read the first Bible lesson, from Exodus 15:22–25. The service was attended by leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), senior government officials, traditional rulers, and service commanders, and featured a unity dance-drama presentation by youths in praise of Cross River State, Nigeria, and its citizenry.
By Nakanda Iyadim, Daniel Bebia and Daniel Nsa
