A humanitarian and sociocultural group, Mbea Mbea, has commended the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, for his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the state, as well as his consistent support for humanitarian causes, during a courtesy visit to his office at Government House, Calabar, on Tuesday.
In his opening remarks, the Public Relations Officer of the group, Dr. Cornel Elah, said the delegation, made up of like-minded friends drawn from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds across Nigeria, undertook the visit to formally appreciate the Deputy Governor’s people-oriented leadership and his supportive role in the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration, as well as to identify with Governor Otu’s vision for a more inclusive and progressive Cross River State.
He explained that “Mbea” is an Ibil word meaning friend, while Mbea Mbea signifies double friendship, symbolizing unity, loyalty, and collective responsibility. Although the Ibil people are located in Ogoja Local Government Area, he emphasized that the group’s membership transcends tribe, tongue, and religion.
The PRO further outlined the group’s key interventions, which include career and guidance counselling programmes in schools across the state, as well as civic enlightenment and voters’ rights education, aimed at empowering young people and strengthening democratic participation.
Also speaking, Dr. Edmund Odok, Chairman of Mbea Mbea and immediate past Head of the Department of Mathematics, University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), said the honour was in recognition of the Deputy Governor’s exemplary leadership, humility, and commitment to human capital development. He added that the group looks forward to strategic collaboration under his patronage.
In his response, the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, expressed gratitude for the honour and commended the group for its selfless service to society. Accepting the title of Grand Patron, he assured members of his readiness to continually support their humanitarian and enlightenment programmes across the state.
Odey also reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting synergy between public office holders and civic organizations in advancing unity, social responsibility, and sustainable development in Cross River State.
The high point of the visit, which was also attended by the Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Hon. Egbung Odama Egbung, among other dignitaries, was the formal conferment of the title of Grand Patron of Mbea Mbea on the Deputy Governor by the group's chairman.
