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Tag: Prince Bassey Otu

  • Senator Otu inspires me to contentment, resilience – New APC scribe

    Senator Otu inspires me to contentment, resilience – New APC scribe

    …Says Party’ll be propelled above adverse effects

    Newly appointed State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State, Pastor (Hon.) Patrick Asikpo Okon has described his political trajectory as a product of contentment and resilience inspired by the tutelage and mentorship of the State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu.

    Pastor Okon also said during his tenure as the State Secretary of the party he will be committed to the implementation of strategic plans that reform the political process while working with the Government in areas that align the best interest of the Cross River people.

    Presenting an address shortly after his inauguration last weekend,Pastor Okon said “I stand before you today, humbled and grateful, not just to the Almighty God for the gift of life and this momentous day, but also to His Excellency the esteemed Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu. His mentorship has taught me the virtue of contentment and the power of resilience. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”

    He emphasized that though the political process is replete with eroded values and is marked by desperation and cunning devises which compound the challenge of leadership, yet the mission to truly transform the polity “has led us to admire individuals of high moral standing;who rise above the deceit and the duplicity often found in politics.”

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    The APC Scribe said by reason of integrity, perseverance and dedication to the course of transforming the polity,the new responsibility assigned him, though seemingly impossible, will be turned around.

    “As your State Secretary,I pledge to implement strategic plans of action for the benefit all. I will work hand-in-hand with the party and the Executive Governor of the state to ensure that our actions and decisions align with the best interest of our people,” he maintained.

    Furthermore, he said, he is out to serve with integrity and promote effective management principles while working with the State Chairman and other Exco Members to oversee the daily operations of the party, and ensure that “we stay true to our principles and objectives.”

    While pledging his unwavering loyalty to the Governor, the Party Scribe affirmed his commitment and support to the Sen. Otu led administration particularly in its dedication to inclusive governance adding that during his tenure,he will promote ideals and programmes that will bring out the full potentials in the youths and the women.

    The APC Chieftain called for more support and cooperation with the present administration stating that “the transformative leadership of our Governor has not only brought about positive change but has also broken barriers, inspiring countless individuals especially our youths, to strive for excellence and assume leadership roles.”

    He expressed confidence that the party will continue to wax stronger; rise above adverse effects and stand out as a force to reckon with.

  • Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture, Prof Shiyam, lauds gov Otu’s strategic agricultural devt initiative

    Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture, Prof Shiyam, lauds gov Otu’s strategic agricultural devt initiative

    …Enumerates giant steps already in motion

    By Mark Eneng

    The Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture, Prof. John O. Shiyam, has commended the laudable and innovative Agricultural Development initiatives of Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu. He made this known upon his assumption of office. According to the University Don, Prince Bassey Otu has kept his pledge through massive investment in the sector, by developing a strategic roadmap and enunciating strategic policies and initiatives, to boost Agricultural production in the State.

    In an official address, the renowned Professor of Agriculture, Prof. Shiyam, enumerated several achievements and policies put in place for the People’s First administration to bring about Agricultural advancement in the State.

    “Cross River State government under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, has demonstrated strong commitment to better the lives of the people through his People’s First Development Agenda Since he assumed office, massive investment in key agricultural value chains for which the state has relative advantage.

    “To achieve achieve this objective, the government has prioritize agriculture in recognition of key potentials in catalyzing  economic transformation, food and nutritional security, wealth creation, employment generation and rural livelihood improvement and agro-industrializaton.”

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    Some of the Successes enumerated includes setting machinery in motion to upscale oil palm and cocoa production as well as introduction of coffee farming in the state.

    Other initiatives are;
    Establishing the Commercial Agriculture Development Fund christened ‘project grow’.

    Validated Cassava Value Chain Development Policy.

    Embarked on the development of the State’s Strategic master plan for Cocoa, Oil Palm and Coffee value chains.

    Allocation of 100,000 hectares of arable land for commercial farming across the State.

    Procurement of 108 units of tractors to ease land development for commercial farming.

    Actively keyed into the World Bank projects (SAPZ, RAMP, FADAMA project, APPEALS project, L-PRES etc) for the benefit of the entire state.

    The Senior Special Adviser also stated that these efforts are already yielding fruits, as many high network investors have already indicated serious interest to collaborate with the state government in the area of agriculture, noting that in no distant time, Cross Riverians will begin to benefit.

    He further enjoined all hands on deck to give  Governor Otu, the needed support to succeed.

  • 2024 Easter Celebration: C’River IPAC Chairman preaches peace, love, tolerance

    2024 Easter Celebration: C’River IPAC Chairman preaches peace, love, tolerance

     

    …Sends goodwill message to Gov Otu, Cross Riverians

    The Cross River State Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Engr. Edet Okon Effiom, has felicitated with Christians on the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as he urged Nigerians to use this opportunity of the celebration to pray for the country and rededicate themselves to the service of God.

    The IPAC boss who doubles as the Cross River State Chairman of Action People’s Party (APP) stated this on Sunday 31, 2024 in a press release made available to some journalists in Calabar, the state capital as he sends special goodwill message to the Cross River State Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu and all Cross Riverians and the country at large.

    According to Engr. Edet, “the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ brought countless blessings”, reaffirming that Easter is a period for spiritual rebirth and new beginnings.

    “We implore all Cross Riverians and Nigerians at large to embrace the core values of tolerance, love, peace, sacrifice, hope, compassion and harmonious Coexistence in all their engagements.

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    “Easter festivities are very important date in the Christian Calendar. It assures us of the place of love, compassion and hope. I beseech the good people of Cross River State to keep hope alive, imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, love and abiding faith for a better society which the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ symbolizes.

    “Cross Riverians should seize this great opportunity to pray that God should give our dear Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu a clear direction to actualize his People’s First Agenda for the good people of Cross River State.This is the time to offer fervent supplications to God Almighty and asked him to show us mercy, joy and peace in our beloved nation.”

  • Just In: Governor Otu Withdraws Patrick Edi’s Appointment, Appoints Ubi as Clerk

    Just In: Governor Otu Withdraws Patrick Edi’s Appointment, Appoints Ubi as Clerk

    The Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu has approved the immediate withdrawal of Mr, Patrick Edi’s appointment as the Clerk of the House of Assembly.

    Governor Bassey Otu notified the House of Assembly of this decision in a letter dated March 18, 2024, through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, which Speaker Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem read on the floor of the House of Assembly on March 19, 2024.

    According to the SSG’s letter, the reversal of the appointment was “based on the fact that the critical criterion for seniority was not highlighted or even made reference to in the recommendations made to His Excellency. Especially, while Mr. Patrick Edi was employed before Mrs Catherine Ubi, her becoming a Director before the other gives her the advantage of seniority.”

    As a result, Barr. Catherine Ubi was appointed the substantive clerk of the Cross River State House of Assembly.

    Matthew Okache
    Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker
    19/03/2024

  • C’River Cocoa landlord communities urge Gov Otu to wade into looming crisis in cocoa allocation

    C’River Cocoa landlord communities urge Gov Otu to wade into looming crisis in cocoa allocation

    Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu has been urged to urgently wade into the looming crisis over threats by the task force of the state Cocoa Allocation and Rehabilitation Committee to forcefully eject Cocoa farm allottees from their genuinely acquired Cocoa plots allotted to them by the previous administration to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    The call was contained in a report  of a six- man Crisis Management Committee set up by the traditional rulers of landlord communities of the Cocoa Estates made up of Mbume Blocs of clans comprising Abia, Bendeghe Ekiem and Etomi in Etung local government area to investigate the conflicting positions in cocoa allocation in the state government cocoa estates in Etung local government area.

    Presenting the report, chairman of the committee, Ntufam Odu Ndep Moses said findings by his committee shows that reason of encroachment into the cocoa farmlands advanced by the Allocation committee to forceful eject the allottees from the farms was false.

    He said that his committee also found out that the allottees paid the required fees into the coffers of the Cross River State government before they were ushered to take possession of the allotted farms.

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    The chairman said the committee’s findings also revealed that the previous administration paid arrears of over N37 million to the cocoa landlord communities to settle 16 years of accrued tents and royalties which were in the thick of the Etung cocoa crisis. a claim he said is verifiable.

    He said statistics available to the committee revealed that only 1,415 out of the approximately 4,552 hectares were allocated.

    The crisis management committee warned that the threat of eviction based on misinformation or ignorance is potentially explosive and therefore urged restraint and strongly advised against any measure that may result to violent clashes.

    “The Traditional rulers of the Mbume Blocs of Clans can hardly overstate the fact that Etung local government area has already senselessly and mindlessly had more than enough bloodletting in a lifetime and nothing else threatens to push us again to that dreaded experience than the conceived eviction if persisted upon”, he warned.

    Ntufam Moses recalled that it was because of government failure to pay rents and royalties to Cocoa landlord communities in Etung that prompted them to sue government vide suit No HE/16/2023 in 2023 and obtained Consent Judgement and secured a new lease for six years approved by the immediate past governor for the settlement of the state government’s rents/ royalties as well as their liabilities while at the same time generating revenue for the state.

    The committee therefore recommended that since the defence of the legitimacy of the six year lease agreed upon by the immediate past administration and the Cocoa landlord communities as reflected in the Consent Judgement has been credibly established, it deserves to be progressively executed.

    Speaking in separate interviews with The Guardian in Calabar, the former state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resource, Hon Oliver Orok, confirmed the findings of the committee saying that since governance is a continuum, he expect the new government in the state led by Governor Bassey Otu to respect the agreement entered into by the immediate past administration to avert any breakdown of law and order.

  • Gov Otu Appoints Cross River NUJ Chairman Chief Press Secretary

    Gov Otu Appoints Cross River NUJ Chairman Chief Press Secretary

    The Governor of Cross River, Senator Bassey Otu, has appointed Comrade Nsa Gill, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Cross River State Council as his new Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

    Gill’s appointment was conveyed in a press release signed by Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, on Monday, 11 March 2024, with reference number: SSG/GSA/102/Vol.VI/333.

    Gill replaced Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche appointed last year as the CPS. The Governor, on the other hand, reappointed Ogbeche as Special Adviser on Media (Abuja).

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    “The appointments and confirmations are with immediate effect,” the press release stated. Adding, “His Excellency heartily congratulates the new Appointees and wishes them success in their new portfolios.”

  • C’River NDDC Rep Congratulates New Appointees, Lauds Gov Otu For Broadening Governance

    C’River NDDC Rep Congratulates New Appointees, Lauds Gov Otu For Broadening Governance

     

    The Cross River representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, has congratulated persons newly appointed into the state government by Governor Bassey Otu.

    On Tuesday 5, March 2024, the governor approved the appointment of 83 persons to serve in his government as Senior Special Advisers, Special Advisers, Directors-General, General Managers of government agencies and parastatals, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants, among others.

    Duke, in a congratulatory message, said the appointment of these individuals is a significant step towards enhancing development and inclusivity within the state and beyond, stating that “it highlights the importance of expanding governance to ensure effective leadership and representation.”

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    “As we celebrate this appointments, let us embrace the spirit of cooperation and progress, working together towards a better prospect for Cross River State and its people,” he said.

    Hon. Orok Duke, however, commended Governor Bassey Otu for expanding the inclusivity of his administration, while pledging his unwavering support to the governor and his people first agenda.

  • IPAC Cross River State Congratulates New Appointees, Advocates for Statutorily Appointed Special Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs

    IPAC Cross River State Congratulates New Appointees, Advocates for Statutorily Appointed Special Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs

     

    The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Cross River State extends its warmest congratulations to all the newly appointed officials by His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State.

    We specially congratulate Rt. Hon. Dr Jake Otu Enyia, Senior Special Adviser, Political Affairs; Nkoyo Otu, Special Adviser, Inter-Party on Women Affairs, and Mr Uguana William Attoe, Senior Special Assistant, Party Relation (Abuja).

    We commend His Excellency for his commitment to public service and his dedication to building a stronger Cross River State. We believe these appointments will contribute significantly to the smooth, efficient, and improved governance of the state.

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    However, IPAC Cross River State takes this opportunity to respectfully appeal to His Excellency to consider the statutory nature of the Special Adviser Inter-Party Affairs. Traditionally, this position is designated for a political party leader, who would ensure a platform for inter-party collaboration and engagement, especially within the state.

    Furthermore, IPAC also wishes to appeal to His Excellency to consider giving other political parties with proven capacity some slots of appointments for fairness and equity.

    We believe His Excellency, known for his commitment to inclusivity and collaborative leadership, will endorse and address this aspect in due course.

    We are confident that under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and the dedicated service of these newly appointed officials, Cross River State will continue to flourish and fulfill its immense potential.

    Signed,

    Engr. Effiom Edet Okon,
    IPAC State Chairman

    Omari Fredrick Eje,
    IPAC Secretary

     

  • C’River Gov Impressed Over IRS Spectacular Performance

    C’River Gov Impressed Over IRS Spectacular Performance

    …As Service Records 56% Growth In IGR

    At the just concluded APC stakeholders meeting over the weekend.

    Cross River state has witnessed an increase in revenue from N22billion as of December 2022 to N31.4billion at the end of December 2023; representing a 56% growth YoY (Year on Year).

    Cross River State also now ranks in top 15 states in the Federation in internal revenue generation.

    Suffice to mention that the State was able to achieve a 92% revenue performance against budget upon assumption of office between June and December 2023; when compared to the 67% against budget between January and May 29, 2023.

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    Another major achievement recorded  by the CRIRS has been the generation of revenue amounting to N7.86billion from the MDAs in 2023 compared to average of N3.2billion in the past 7 years indicating over 100% increase.

    The above feat has been achieved due Majorly to the support of the governor and strategies and innovations introduced by the new Management Team of the Service headed by the Executive Chairman, Prince Edwin Okon.

    The service continues to work on blocking of leakages, reconciliation of unreported revenues, increased oversight functions, regular engagement with taxpayers and robust staff training & awareness campaign amongst others. All to ensure improved revenue generation to meet the government set target and goals. The service also continues to tighten controls to reduce multiple taxation, and harmonize Local government and State taxes/levies to ensure improvement of ease of doing business in the state.

  • Delayed Salary Payment In Cross River State – Facts Against Myths

    Delayed Salary Payment In Cross River State – Facts Against Myths

    By Edem Darlington

    In 1987, Nigeria’s then military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida announced the creation of Akwa Ibom State from present day Cross River. By that action, the Cross River State Civil Service system automatically dwindled with the exodus of Akwa Ibomites out of the Civil Service system in Cross River State.

    The situation prompted the military administrator in Cross River State, Navy Captain Eben Ibim Princewill to authorize massive recruitment of about 10,000 workers into the State Civil Service workforce. A large number of that workforce will be leaving the Service later this year.

    During the 2018 May Day (Workers Day) celebration at the U.J. Esuene sports stadium in Calabar, Comrade John Ushie, then state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC in Cross River State affirmed that over 95% of the total work force within the state civil service would retire by the end of 2023. In his words according to Ushie, “There is an urgent need to recruit staff into the civil service, because currently over 95 percent of the staff in the state civil service will be retiring in 2023; and as such, the civil service may come to a close at the end of the Ayade Administration if recruitment is not carried out promptly,”

    Again, last year, during the 2023 May Day celebration at the Calabar stadium,  Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC in the state, Comrade Monday Ogbodum, said that 80% of Civil Servants are nearing their retirement age and should leave service later this year, 2024.

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    The obvious truth is that by the end of 2024, all of those employed into the State Civil Service during the 1987 exercise would have completed their mandatory 35 years in service and therefore retire. In 2023 alone, an available record shows that over 7000 Civil Servants had retired from the state Civil Service.

    The pertinent question is, despite the available data, why is the Cross River State wage bill still the same, why has there not been a significant decline in the payroll system?

    While most government offices in the state are empty as a result of lack of staff, the wage bill has remained the same and consistently crowded with names of people with either lack of proper identification and/or with multiple banking details.

    For example, the ongoing verification exercise and payroll sanitisation revealed a particular level 6 staff within the local government system who earns a whopping N4million monthly, while some cases have revealed names some appearing four times with the same banking details. In another revelation the team noticed the padding of over N40million into the local government monthly wage bill as well as several other fraudulent activities dangerously draining the State government already lean resources into private pockets.

    From these revelations, It is clear that there are many who do not want this exercise to see the light of the day because of their obvious merchandise. To such persons, there is bad news for them, the exercise will be successful.

    They are strong allegations that such criminal activities are usually carried out in collaboration with other civil servants, politicians and even some leaders of the Labour Union.

    This is the right time for all stakeholders including the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress to join hands with the state government and firmly support this exercise if they must prove their accusers wrong.

    According to statistics released by the state Head of Service, so far,  out of the 11,062 pensioners within the State Pension system, 1051 cases of issues with duplicated names as well as other  challenges have been tracked, this is  apart from those who suspiciously decided to abscond during the verification exercise.

    In the Local Government Pension scheme, the verification exercise has been able to discover about 989 instances of missing files or name duplications. In the same vein, the Local Government staff payroll revealed 847 discrepancies, while the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the broader state payroll recorded 597 and 1,893 discrepancies, respectively.

    Although the governor, in his usual magnanimity has directed the payment of January salaries, owing to the current hardship, he has however instructed that the exercise be sustained in February.

    It is important to rally massive support for the state government so as to ensure the completion of this exercise. As His Excellency, governor Bassey Otu had said, monies saved from this exercise will be used to meet other basic needs staring the state right in the face, while the rest will be used to pay thousands of other young people in the state who will be drafted into the State Civil Service.

    Edem Darlington is the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Edet Otu