The Governor of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, Senator Bassey Otu, has reiterated his pledge to protect and uplift vulnerable groups.
Governor Otu reiterated the pledge when he attended an emotion-laden celebration of his 66th birthday alongside a cross-section of widows in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
Otu, who appreciated the widows for the time to celebrate with him and his family, praised them for their resilience and support despite the numerous challenges of providing for their families.
The governor said, “I decided not to celebrate my birthday with anyone except with you widows. Your husbands may be no more, but God has not forgotten you. We share every pain you have gone through, and my government will always be there for you.”
He further said, “Women are the backbone of society, in acknowledgement of the sacrifices and strength shown through prayers in support of his administration’s successes.
“Women remain integral to the progress of society. Let me thank you for all the prayers you have offered for this administration. Cross River State has grown in content and character,” Otu said.
READ ALSO: Speaker Abbas Marks 60th Birthday with Humanitarian Service
Acknowledging the socioeconomic contributions of women entrepreneurs to the Cross River economy, Governor Otu warned that his administration would spare no effort to nip illegal collection of taxes in the bud.
He warned extortionists against preying on widows and women business owners, noting that failure to heed the warning would attract stiff punishment.
“Those who extort widows in markets and other places under the pretence of collecting tolls or taxes will be forced to return every kobo they took. We have set up a task force to address any complaints and cases,” he said.
In a remark, the wife of the governor, Mrs Eyoanwan Otu, expressed delight at the massive turnout of women for the birthday celebration, describing the occasion as a reflection of their implicit trust in the governor’s leadership and appreciated them for their prayers as well as loyalty.
Also speaking, the chairperson of the widows’ association in Cross River State, Mrs Uduak Spencer Efem, commended Governor Otu and his wife, Eyoanwan, for the support given to women across the state.
Efem noted that the statistics surrounding widowhood were alarming, saying, “It is rare to find leaders who remember us (widows). We are deeply grateful to Governor Otu for his compassion.”
The celebration featured goodwill messages from the wife of a former military administrator of the state, Mrs Florence Dan Archibong, Mrs Felicia Etaba and Mrs Linus Okom.
The climax of the birthday celebration was the distribution of cash gifts and food items to all the widows, with an assurance from the governor to deliver on his People First agenda for an inclusive Cross River State.