The Cross River State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has held its mid-year meeting, with the Commissioner, Dr. Helen Isamoh Egodo, charging staff to sustain their commitment to excellence, embrace continuous self-development and maintain a positive attitude towards work.
The meeting, held on July 7, 2026, was convened to mark the successful completion of the first half of the year and set the tone for improved performance in the second phase of the year.
The gathering was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Andy Akpotu-Adeshi; Director of Administration, Mrs. Stella Achu; directors and staff of the ministry.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Egodo, fondly referred to as the “Humanitarian Queen” by staff, appreciated the dedication and contributions of workers towards achieving the ministry’s goals in the first half of the year.
She commended their commitment and positive work ethic, urging them to sustain the momentum while warning against attitudes that could undermine productivity and attract disciplinary measures.
The Commissioner encouraged staff to invest in personal growth through continuous learning and self-improvement, stressing that knowledge acquisition remains a lifelong process.
“Instead of spending time in idle talks or loitering about, read books and study to develop yourself so that even when you retire from active service, you can still be consulted by people,” she advised.
Dr. Egodo urged employees to consistently strive for excellence and develop themselves professionally, mentally and intellectually, noting that individuals who improve their capacity remain valuable within and beyond the workplace.
The Commissioner also appreciated the role of staff in the successful hosting of the first National Humanitarian Council Meeting in Nigeria, which took place in Calabar from January 27 to 29, 2026.
She described the historic event as a milestone that projected Cross River State positively and opened new opportunities for humanitarian interventions and partnerships.
During the meeting, issues bordering on budgeting, funding allocation and administrative operations were discussed, with the Commissioner providing solutions and assurances towards improving the ministry’s effectiveness.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Egodo reminded staff members to embrace responsibility, remain appreciative of opportunities and maintain open communication with her office whenever they require support.
The Director of Administration, Mrs. Stella Achu, in her vote of thanks, appreciated the Commissioner’s leadership style and described her as a mother figure who has demonstrated care and commitment towards the welfare of staff.
“Thank you for being our mother here even though all our ages may be different,” Achu said, while also commending staff members for their cooperation, patience and dedication.
By Owa Patience Egbara
