Cross River State Governor, Bassey Edet Otu has urged Abuja-based Cross Riverians to unite behind his administration’s drive for accelerated development, saying the state needs the collective strength of its citizens at home and in the diaspora to move forward.
He made the call in Abuja at the Cross River Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF) Day and the launch of Panorama magazine.
The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Abuja, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, said that any house divided against itself cannot stand.
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“We have individuals working tirelessly against the state’s interest, even instigating crises back home,” Governor Otu said.
He noted that among remarkable achievements recorded in the last two years include; the rehabilitation of key infrastructure such as the Cross River State Library, State Cultural Centre, Cross River Newspapers Corporation and the revival of Carnival Calabar’s sponsorship by major brands among others.
” Cross River State is on the move” with projects like revamping TINAPA as well as ongoing upgrades of general hospitals and health centres across the State,” he said.
The Governor pointed out that the State has recorded about 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”, and would certainly enjoy a “resounding return come 2027” based on ongoing reforms and positive performance,” he added.
The NIgerian Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, in his keynote address titled “Building the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs In Cross River State,” urged young Cross Riverians to embrace innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.
Enoh also advised the youth to be diligent and work hard to shape the economic future of the State and Nigeria in general.
He described Cross River’s unique cultural, creative, and natural resources as a fertile ground for enterprise, stressing that the fast-changing global economy, technological disruption, and emerging sectors like renewable energy, agri-tech, tourism tech, and digital services demand problem solvers and innovation-driven entrepreneurs.
The Minister said; “Traditional career paths alone cannot absorb the aspirations of our young people…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.. So I encourage our youths to start small, dream big, and seize the opportunities before them to make exploits in different field.
Enoh also pointed out that with the abundant 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 the journalists for their resilience and courage in uncovering facts despite challenges, while urging them to always celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship, especially in the youth populace, which includes creativity, innovation, and risk-taking.
The Chairman of the CROSSJOF Day event, Mr. Hiliard Eta, advised the people of Cross River to be more pushy to attain 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 the citizens to step out of their comfort zones, speak up, and reject political exclusion.
The CROSSJOF Chairman Mrs. Francisca Ogah appreciated the Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s administration for its constructive actions, in terms of development and increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
She said the Forum would be part of the solution through agenda setting and effective reportage of activities across the state while holding leaders accountable to the people, in line with their mandate and electioneering campaigns promises.
She reaffirmed CROSSJOF commitment to promoting accountability, responsible journalism, and development-focused reporting in the state.
“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 elected officials remain connected to their constituencies“. Mrs Ogar said
She lamented the poor response of many elected officials to CROSSJOF’s recent scorecard project, which assessed lawmakers’ performance and constituency interventions.
Highlights of the occasion were the conferment of an Excellence 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.