As Governor Bassey Edet Otu marks his 67th birthday, the Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSCF) has used the occasion to highlight what it describes as a shift towards inclusive governance, historical redress and shared prosperity in Cross River State, while placing the administration’s development agenda under the spotlight.
In a birthday tribute issued on Sunday, October 18, 2026, and signed by the forum’s Chairman, Hon. Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, and Secretary, Dr. Julius Ochim Okputu, the group presented Otu’s leadership as an opportunity to reassess the relationship between government and the people, particularly in addressing longstanding development challenges across the state.
The forum identified the governor’s People First agenda as the central philosophy guiding his administration, pointing to investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and economic revitalisation as evidence of its commitment to improving the welfare of Cross Riverians.
According to the CRSCF, road construction and rehabilitation have received significant attention, with hundreds of kilometres of roads reportedly constructed or rehabilitated and abandoned projects completed. The forum also highlighted the prioritisation of rural roads, describing improved connectivity as essential to economic inclusion and access to basic services for communities outside major urban centres.
Healthcare delivery also featured prominently in the assessment. The forum cited a doubling of budgetary allocation to the sector, the revitalisation of more than 100 primary healthcare centres, the recruitment of over 2,000 health professionals and the provision of free maternal and child healthcare services. It argued that these interventions could strengthen access to essential medical services, particularly for vulnerable families.
In education, the consistent payment of West African Examinations Council fees for tens of thousands of indigenous students between 2024 and 2026 was highlighted as a significant intervention. The establishment of new tertiary institutions was also cited as part of efforts to expand educational opportunities and address barriers that have historically limited access to learning.
Agriculture, which remains a major source of livelihood for many residents, was identified as another important pillar of the administration’s development strategy. The forum pointed to Project GROW, which incorporates the provision of mini tractors, improved seedlings, crop specific clusters and offtake agreements, as a framework for strengthening agricultural production and connecting farmers to markets.
The CRSCF further linked the governor’s economic ambitions to efforts aimed at reviving key commercial and tourism assets. These include the recovery of Tinapa Business and Resort, the expansion of Cally Air, progress towards the Obudu Cargo Airport and the advancement of the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.
The forum also referenced the administration’s efforts to secure the reinstatement of Cross River as an oil producing state, an issue with significant implications for the state’s economic prospects and its expectations regarding national resource allocation.
Beyond these projects, the group outlined a broader vision centred on security, human capital development, agricultural transformation, tourism revival and the blue economy. It maintained that the successful implementation of these priorities could create wider economic opportunities and improve living standards across the state.
However, the tribute also places renewed attention on the question of how governance should ultimately be measured. While the forum presented the administration’s achievements as evidence of progress, the lasting significance of the People First agenda will depend on the extent to which its policies translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
For farmers in rural communities, the impact of improved roads and agricultural support will be reflected in easier access to markets, lower transportation difficulties and better returns on their produce. For mothers and children, the effectiveness of healthcare reforms will be determined by the availability of medical personnel, essential drugs and reliable services. For students, educational interventions will matter most when they lead to sustained access to learning and improved opportunities for the future.
These everyday experiences remain critical to determining whether the administration’s development promises are delivering the intended results across the state.
As Governor Otu enters another year, the CRSCF’s tribute seeks to place his leadership within a broader narrative of equity, development and historical redress. Its message, captured in the phrase “For History. For Progress. For Equity,” underscores the forum’s belief that Cross River’s development must be judged not only by the projects completed but also by the communities reached and the lives transformed.
Ultimately, the enduring legacy of the People First agenda will rest on its ability to ensure that the benefits of governance extend beyond official announcements and political celebrations to the people whose welfare the pol
icy is designed to prioritise.
.jpeg)
0 Comments: