The Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has called on Abuja-based Cross Riverians to unite with the state government in the collective task of advancing the state.
He accused some elites from the state resident in Abuja of undermining the government’s efforts to reposition Cross River.
The governor made these remarks at the Cross River Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF) Day and the launch of Panorama Magazine, held in Abuja.
Represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Media, Abuja, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, Governor Otu said any house divided against itself cannot stand.
“We have individuals working tirelessly against the state’s interest, even instigating crises back home,” Prince Otu said.
He highlighted some of the remarkable achievements recorded by his administration in the last two years, including the rehabilitation of key infrastructure such as the Cross River State Library, State Cultural Centre, Cross River Newspapers Corporation, as well as the revival of Carnival Calabar’s sponsorship by major brands.
“Cross River State is on the move,” he said, citing projects such as the revamping of TINAPA and the ongoing upgrades of general hospitals and health centres across the state.
The governor also disclosed that the state has recorded about a 106 per cent increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), even as it remains Nigeria’s most media-friendly state.
He stressed that his administration is committed to sustainable development.
“Hold us to account; we are not afraid of scrutiny,” he said, adding that the government would enjoy a “resounding return come 2027” based on ongoing reforms and positive performance.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Building the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs in Cross River State”, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, urged young Cross Riverians to embrace innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.
He charged the youth to be diligent and hardworking in shaping the economic future of the state and Nigeria at large.
He described Cross River’s rich cultural, creative and natural resources as fertile ground for enterprise, stressing that the fast-changing global economy, technological disruptions and emerging sectors such as renewable energy, agri-tech, tourism technology and digital services demand problem solvers and innovation-driven entrepreneurs.
“Traditional career paths alone cannot absorb the aspirations of our young people,” he said, adding, “The next generation of business leaders will not come from inherited structures, but from those who can innovate, adapt, and collaborate.
“What happens in Cross River does not stay in Cross River. Innovation here has a ripple effect across Nigeria,” the minister stated, as he encouraged youths to start small, dream big and seize available opportunities to excel in different fields.
Mr Enoh further noted that with the abundance of human and material resources, Cross River and Nigeria must embrace new waves of innovation and enterprise to drive sustainable economic growth and development.
He commended journalists for their resilience and courage in uncovering facts despite challenges and urged them to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among young people, particularly creativity, innovation and risk-taking.
Chairman of the CROSSJOF Day event, Mr Hiliard Eta, advised Cross Riverians to be more assertive in the quest for political relevance.
“Nigerian politics does not reward gentility. If you stay silent, others will act as though you do not exist. We have been too gentle, too docile, too unengaged as Cross Riverians,” Mr Eta said.
He urged citizens to step out of their comfort zones, speak up and reject political exclusion.
“If we must create an environment where the next generation can thrive, whether in business or national leadership, then we must abandon certain habits and confront issues boldly,” he added.
The Chairman of CROSSJOF, Mrs Francisca Ogar, said the award initiative is designed to encourage Cross River lawmakers who have distinguished themselves through quality performance, effective representation and meaningful constituency engagement at the National Assembly.
She said there is widespread discontent among Cross Riverians at home, particularly in some constituencies where elected representatives remain distant from the people and fail to openly provide information on constituency project execution and performance.
Mrs Ogar singled out Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and Hon. Peter Akpanke, noting that under scrutiny, they were bold and confident enough to open their doors and publicly acquit themselves with people-driven investments, impressive performance and positive outcomes that met and, in some cases, exceeded their constituents’ expectations.
She also commended the Governor Bassey Edet Otu administration for what she described as constructive actions in development and the significant increase in internally generated revenue.
Mrs Ogar assured that the Forum would remain part of the solution through agenda-setting and effective reportage of activities across the state while holding leaders accountable in line with their mandates and campaign promises.
She reaffirmed CROSSJOF’s commitment to promoting accountability, responsible journalism and development-focused reporting.
“We desire to be part of the solution by setting the agenda through effective reportage and by holding our leaders accountable to the people,” she said, stressing that journalists have a duty to track political promises and ensure that elected officials remain connected to their constituencies.
She lamented the poor response of many elected officials to CROSSJOF’s recent scorecard project, which assessed lawmakers’ performance and constituency interventions.
“Only Senator Jarigbe Agom and Hon. Peter Akpanke were confident enough to open their doors to the team and provide information on their constituency projects,” she noted.
Highlights of the occasion included the conferment of the Excellence in Representation Award on Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North in the National Assembly, and the unveiling of The Panorama magazine, available in both online and print formats.