Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has urged Cross Riverians to embrace unity, patriotism and self-reliance, saying collective effort is essential to building a stronger and more prosperous state.
Otu made the call in his goodwill message to the people of the state on Thursday to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
He described the anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of Nigeria’s past nationalists and activists, whose patriotism and commitment contributed to the country’s attainment of independence.
The Governor said Independence Day should go beyond official ceremonies and fanfare, stressing that it should provide an opportunity for Nigerians to assess the nation’s social, economic and political journey and reflect on the responsibilities of citizenship.
He urged citizens to uphold patriotism, integrity, self-reliance and religious tolerance, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, describing the values as essential to national cohesion and development.
Otu said his administration had continued to promote these principles in Cross River through religious tolerance, equitable distribution of public amenities, respect for human rights and inclusive governance.
He said the state’s drive for self-reliance also included youth apprenticeship programmes, support for local entrepreneurs and interventions aimed at strengthening the capacity of young people to become economically productive.
The Governor said agriculture remained central to Cross River’s pursuit of self-reliance and food security, noting that farmers were being supported with loans, grants and mechanised equipment, while rural feeder roads were being graded to facilitate the evacuation of farm produce.
Otu also called on Cross Riverians to reject distrust, ethnic bias and other tendencies capable of undermining the state’s unity, likening governance to an orchestra in which government and citizens must work in harmony. He said the state belonged to everyone and that the convergence of ideas and collective action remained necessary to build a united and progressive Cross River, while wishing Nigerians a rewarding 66th Independence Anniversary.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, said Cross River State Government is experiencing a remarkable re-engineering and restoration of its lost glory under the People First agenda of Governor Bassey Edet Otu. He noted that 66 years ago the founding fathers raised the flag with hope and conviction despite imperfect conditions, and that it remains a collective responsibility to keep that faith alive under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the Otu administration has drastically reduced the State’s domestic debt, boosting investor confidence, while recording giant strides in transportation, security, health, education and the digital economy. In agriculture, hundreds of farmers and riverine families have received tractors and fishing boats, and coffee and cowpea programmes are laying the foundation for a sustainable agrarian economy. Cross Riverians are also training in China for a new electric vehicle and urban mobility ecosystem. He further commended the Governor’s strategic push to restore the State’s oil wells and reaffirm its littoral, oil-producing status. Congratulating President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Otu and Deputy Governor Rt Hon Peter Odey for steering the State from hopelessness to visible productivity, the Commissioner cited Galatians 6:7 to assure citizens that their sacrifices will not be in vain. He urged Nigerians to believe in Nigeria, and to think about, invest in and jealously protect Cross River for a brighter future. The event featured inspection of Guard of Honour mounted by the Nigeria Police Force, traditional display and match past by school children, where Charles Walker Int’l Nursery took 1st, Madonna Montessory Nursery, 2nd and PCN Primary School, Big Qua came 3rd in the primary school category. In the secondary school category, Chilion Int’l Schools came 1st, Holy Child Secondary School, 2nd and Edgerley Memorial Girl Secondary School came 3rd.
By Nakanda Iyadim, Daniel Bebia and Kingsley Agim
