The Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has called on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to give government more opportunities for deliberations.
Governor Otu made the appeal through his deputy, Mr. Peter Odey, during a special thanksgiving service held the at The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Hope Waddle Parish Calabar, to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary.
According to the governor, his administration was resolute on its decision “to prioritize the welfare and well-being of our citizens. We have promised a ‘People- First’ approach to governance and I want to assure you that your commitment to the development of our state remains unwavering and we are determined to create an environment where businesses can thrive and create job opportunities for our people.”
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Collective responsibility
Earlier, the Prelate, Dr. Ekpeyong Akpanika, described the celebration of this year’s independence anniversary as fraught with mixed feelings, noting that the state of the nation called for reflection since the task of nation building was the collective responsibility of all Nigerians.
Akpanika urged Nigerians to embrace brotherly love rather than the pursuit of selfish interest, noting that “greatness is not a function of possession, but a function of service to God and humanity. Know also that the service you render today maybe the harvest of your child’s tomorrow.”
He commended the Senator Otu’s led administration for the achievements recorded within the past four months particularly in the environment sector and interventions in the area of security as well as applauding the wife of the governor, Reverend Eyoawan Otu’s remarkable contributions to the welfare of the aged, motherless and other vulnerable persons in the society.
The service was attended by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, the Cross River State Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme, the Obong of Calabar and his cabinet, executive council members, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh, Service Chiefs, top government functionaries, elder statesmen and a host of other dignitaries.
Independence baby
Meanwhile, the wife of the governor, Reverend Eyoanwan Otu has presented cash gift and other items to the first baby born in October otherwise called “Independence Day baby” born at the General Hospital Calabar at midnight, weighing a healthy 2.8kg.
Represented by the wife of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mrs. Nelly Ayambem, she congratulated the mother and baby Linda Egbe for the safe delivery, which she noted symbolized great blessings to the family.
Also reacting to the birth of the Independence Day baby, the Cross River Commissioner for Information, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang, urged Linda’s parents to take advantage of the state government’s free medical treatment for pregnant women and children under five years.
The parents of the newborn baby expressed appreciation to the wife of the governor and the state government for the care given to the mother and child.
