Gov Otu inaugurates Elders Advisory Council of Cross River State Consultative Forum

By Kelvin Obambon

Governor Bassey Edet Otu on Thursday inaugurated the Elders Advisory Council of the Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSCF), a body established to provide guidance and a feedback mechanism for the state’s administration.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Peter Odey, emphasized the significance of the new council, assuring that its advice would be paramount to the success of the current administration.

“Governments that have this quality of advisors cannot fail, and will not fail,” the Deputy Governor declared, adding that the administration of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is a “people centered administration, an administration that believes in the people of Cross River State.”

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Odey used the occasion to disclose the Governor’s aggressive focus on asset recovery, stating that the Governor’s absence was due to his determination “to reclaim all assets of Cross River State.” He specifically vowed, “let it be on record that our oil wells will be restored.”

Earlier, the Chairman of Cross River State Consultative Forum, Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, explained that the council was established to ensure the continuity of relationships across the state’s elite and to build support for the Governor’s second term bid.

Barr. Ekpo noted that the Elders Advisory Council will act as a “filter, as a feedback mechanism to monitor the application of government interventions and projects down the line of the ordinary citizens.” He also highlighted the administration’s achievements, including the completion of over 200 kilometers of roads, the employment of over 8,000 Cross Riverians, and the successful reclamation of the Tinapa resort from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

In his address, Chief Clement Ebri, the newly inaugurated Chairman of the Elders Advisory Council, expressed his commitment to the role and the readiness of the council members.

“I want to assure you that I’m fully committed,” Chief Ebri said. He expressed pleasure that the administration is “ready to listen to other people,” citing the Deputy Governor’s promise that their advice “will not be taken for granted.” Chief Ebri concluded by assuring the audience of the council’s national influence, stating, “If we constitute a body here to go to Abuja, we will not feel inferior.”

The inauguration also marked the launch of the Coordinating Committees of the Forum across all the 18 Local Government Areas.

The event also highlighted the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Otu for a second term, and the celebration of Ebri’s 73rd birthday.

There were goodwill messages from Chief Johnson Ekpo (Central), Prof. Stephen Odey (North) and Etinyin Dr Asuquo Ekpenyong (South).

Several dignitaries, including Sen. John Owan-Enoh, Minister of State for Industry; Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, member representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency; Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly; Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, Chief of Staff to the Governor, and a host of others attended the event.