By: Our Reporter, Calabar
The Cross River State Elders’ Forum has overwhelmingly endorsed Governor Bassey Edet Otu for a second term in office, declaring that his administration’s strides in governance, security, healthcare, infrastructure and economic development have earned him the confidence and support of the elder statesmen.
The endorsement was contained in an address presented by the Chairman of the Forum, retired Colonel Pam Ogar, former Military Administrator of Kwara State, when the elders paid him a courtesy at the State Executive Council Chamber, Calabar.
Ogar said the Forum had carefully observed the administration’s performance and was convinced that Otu deserved another term to consolidate the gains already recorded and complete ongoing programmes. “The Forum hereby expresses its confidence in your administration and accordingly, wholeheartedly encourages you to present yourself for a second term in office,” he declared.
“This will enable you consolidate the gains already recorded, complete the numerous developmental programmes initiated under your administration and complete the uncompleted programmes initiated by your predecessor in office.”
The elders said their endorsement was anchored on what they described as the Governor’s demonstrated commitment to building “a prosperous, inclusive and united Cross River State” through collective responsibility, mutual trust and sustained citizens’ participation. They particularly commended his People First philosophy, noting that the administration had shown an uncommon willingness to listen to citizens, respond to their concerns and improve governance through continuous engagement.
According to Ogar, the establishment of the Cross River State Public Complaints Office, the Cross River State Live platform and the Governor’s consistent audience with the Elders’ Forum were “eloquent testaments” to the administration’s readiness to listen to the people.
The Forum also applauded the administration’s interventions in the health sector, particularly the upgrading of schools of nursing to Colleges of Nursing in Obudu, Ogoja, Itigidi and Calabar. The development, the elders noted, had expanded opportunities for professional nursing education, including National Diploma and Higher National Diploma qualifications, while enabling graduates to participate in the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
On security, they commended Governor Otu’s efforts in curbing robbery and kidnapping, but urged a more proactive security architecture to address the activities of cattle grazers, alleged illegal settlements and iron scavengers in parts of the state. They specifically expressed concern over reported activities in Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja, Ikom and Obubra.
Agriculture also featured prominently in the Forum’s assessment, with the elders commending the administration’s increased budgetary attention to the sector and efforts to raise improved oil-palm seedlings for distribution to farmers. They argued that sustained investment in agriculture would strengthen production, create employment and expand the state’s economic base.
However, the Forum appealed to the Governor to intensify efforts towards the payment of outstanding gratuities and harmonised pensions owed retired civil and public servants, stressing that many retirees continued to endure severe economic hardship. “It is our passionate appeal that government take a serious look into this problem to ameliorate the sufferings of retirees,” Ogar said.
The elders also congratulated Governor Otu as Vice Chairman, of the South-South Governors’ Forum and commended his role in the successful hosting of the Forum’s meeting in Cross River State, with the Pan Niger Delta Forum and BRACED Commission in attendance. Ogar described the gathering as one of the region’s successful meetings, citing the conviviality among the governors, the concrete decisions reached and the renewed commitment to regional development. He urged the Governor, if given a second term, to place industrialisation and the development of a productive economy at the centre of his agenda. “Cross River must move beyond consumption to production, value addition, job creation and sustainable economic growth,” he said.
Responding, Governor Otu expressed profound appreciation to the elders for their visit, counsel and endorsement, describing their experience and wisdom as invaluable assets in the task of state-building. He said sitting before the elders came with “a very heavy burden” because he saw in them men and women who had sacrificed enormously to sustain Cross River and lay the foundations upon which the present generation was building. “When I look at the faces here, I see people who have reached the peak in their different professions and who have had experiences which we still need in terms of nation-building and state-building,” Otu said.
He added that the state was privileged to have such a reservoir of experience and wisdom available to guide its present leadership.
The Governor said the relationship between his administration and the elders was one of constructive partnership, stressing that the wisdom of the older generation remained an indispensable compass even in an era of changing social dynamics and generational expectations. He thanked the Forum for its support, prayers and constructive counsel, assuring the elders that their interventions would continue to inform the administration’s policies and decisions. On the issue of retirees’ outstanding benefits, Otu disclosed that government had commenced arrangements for the release of the next tranche of gratuity to retired civil servants before December, assuring the elders that the administration remained sensitive to the plight of retirees and committed to progressively addressing the backlog.
Governor Otu further used the occasion to speak on the state’s renewed efforts to secure its economic interests, particularly the campaign for recognition of Cross River’s oil-producing assets and the recovery of its oil wells. Reflecting on the painstaking process behind the state’s advocacy, he said his administration would not relent in protecting the resources belonging to present and future generations. “These things were created by God and the universe. As a people, if there is something that we owe the next generation, it is to hand over what God has given to us,” he said. “We take care of it and then hand it over to the next generation.” He assured the elders that their support and experience would remain critical to the administration’s determination to build a stronger, more prosperous and united Cross River.
Former Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Esu, was among dignitaries in attendance at the meeting.
