The Cross River State Elders’ Forum has endorsed Governor Bassey Edet Otu for a second term, citing what it described as notable achievements of his administration in governance, security, healthcare, infrastructure and economic development.
The endorsement was made on Thursday by the Chairman of the Forum and former Military Administrator of Kwara State, retired Colonel Pam Ogar, when the elders paid a courtesy visit to Governor Otu at the State Executive Council Chamber in Calabar.
Ogar said the Forum had closely followed the performance of the administration and was convinced that the governor deserved another term to consolidate his achievements and complete ongoing projects and programmes.
According to him, the elders’ endorsement was based on the administration’s commitment to building a prosperous, inclusive and united Cross River State through citizens’ participation, mutual trust and collective responsibility.
He particularly praised Governor Otu’s People First philosophy, saying the administration had demonstrated a willingness to listen to citizens and respond to their concerns.
Ogar identified the establishment of the Cross River State Public Complaints Office, the Cross River State Live platform and the governor’s regular engagements with the Elders’ Forum as evidence of the administration’s commitment to participatory governance.
The elders also commended the government’s interventions in the health sector, especially the conversion of schools of nursing in Obudu, Ogoja, Itigidi and Calabar to Colleges of Nursing.
They noted that the development had expanded access to professional nursing education and created opportunities for students to obtain National Diploma and Higher National Diploma qualifications, while also making graduates eligible to participate in the National Youth Service Corps programme.
On security, the Forum applauded the governor’s efforts to tackle robbery and kidnapping but called for stronger measures to address concerns surrounding cattle grazing, alleged illegal settlements and the activities of iron scavengers in some parts of the state.
The elders specifically raised concerns about reported activities in Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja, Ikom and Obubra.
The Forum also praised the administration’s increased attention to agriculture and its efforts to produce improved oil palm seedlings for distribution to farmers.
Ogar said sustained investment in agriculture would boost food production, create employment and strengthen the state’s economic base.
However, the elders appealed to the governor to intensify efforts towards clearing outstanding gratuities and harmonised pensions owed retired civil and public servants.
Ogar said many retirees were facing serious economic challenges as a result of the unpaid entitlements and urged the government to urgently address the situation.
The Forum also congratulated Governor Otu on his position as Vice Chairman of the South South Governors’ Forum, commending his role in the successful hosting of the Forum’s meeting in Cross River State, which also had the Pan Niger Delta Forum and BRACED Commission in attendance.
Ogar described the meeting as a significant achievement for the region, noting that it produced concrete decisions and renewed commitment towards regional development.
He urged Governor Otu, if given another term, to make industrialisation and the development of a productive economy key priorities, stressing that Cross River must move from consumption to production, value addition, job creation and sustainable economic growth.
Responding, Governor Otu thanked the elders for their visit, counsel, prayers and endorsement, describing their wealth of experience and wisdom as valuable assets to the development of the state.
The governor said the elders represented people who had made significant sacrifices and attained the peak of their respective professions, adding that their experiences remained relevant to the process of state and nation building.
Otu described the relationship between his administration and the elders as one of constructive partnership, stressing that the wisdom of the older generation remained an important guide for leadership despite changing social realities and generational expectations.
On the issue of outstanding retirees’ benefits, the governor disclosed that his administration had commenced arrangements for the payment of another tranche of gratuity to retired civil servants before December.
He assured the elders that the government was mindful of the difficulties faced by retirees and remained committed to progressively clearing the backlog of outstanding obligations.
The governor also spoke on his administration’s renewed efforts to protect the state’s economic interests, particularly the campaign for the recognition of Cross River’s oil producing assets and the recovery of its oil wells.
Otu said the state would continue to pursue its interests in order to protect resources meant for both the present and future generations.
He stressed that the state had a responsibility to preserve the resources available to it and ensure they were handed over to the next generation.
The governor further assured the elders that their support, counsel and experience would remain important to his administration’s efforts to build a stronger, more
prosperous and united Cross River State.
Former Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Esu, was among dignitaries who attended the meeting.
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