Otu’s ‘People First’ Agenda a Blueprint for Nigeria’s Development at 65 – Duke

 

CALABAR  – As Nigeria celebrates her 65th Independence Anniversary, the Vice Chairman and CEO of the Cross River State Planning Commission, Pastor Bong Duke, has said that Governor Bassey Otu’s People First agenda represents a model for inclusive growth and national renewal.

In a goodwill message to mark the anniversary, Pastor Duke congratulated Nigerians, especially the people of Cross River State, on the milestone, describing Independence Day as more than a celebration of freedom but also a call to deepen unity, justice, and sustainable development.

He noted that at 65, Nigeria has endured challenges and achieved notable progress, but stressed that the moment calls for sober reflection and a renewed commitment to building a nation where prosperity is shared equitably.

“Here in Cross River State, under the purposeful leadership of His Excellency, Sen. (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, the People First agenda stands as a beacon of renewal and development,” he said. “At the State Planning Commission, we remain committed to coordinating and aligning government policies, programmes, and projects with the aspirations of the people, ensuring that our planning today translates into sustainable prosperity for generations to come.”

Pastor Duke further called on Nigerians to transform challenges into opportunities by leveraging diversity and natural endowments, urging citizens to remain hopeful and united in pursuit of the Nigeria of their dreams.

He concluded by expressing optimism that the anniversary would rekindle patriotism and collective service to the nation, reaffirming the Commission’s resolve to contribute to Nigeria’s growth story through strategic planning and citizen-centered development.

CROSIEC Boss Slams Fake News, Calls for Responsible Journalism

Calabar, March 2025 – The Chairman of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), Dr. Ekong Boco, has strongly condemned the spread of false and sensational reports, calling out journalists who fail to verify their information before publication.

This comes after a viral post falsely alleged that the salaries of CROSIEC staff had not been paid because a rat had eaten the commission’s server. Reacting to the misleading claim, Dr. Boco dismissed it as “baseless and unprofessional,” stressing that CROSIEC neither owns a server nor is responsible for salary payments.

“This commission does not handle salary payments. We receive salaries like every other civil servant in the state. It is the Accountant General’s office that processes payments, and the delay in salaries has already been addressed by His Excellency,” Dr. Boco clarified.

Expressing his disappointment over the false report, the CROSIEC boss criticized the journalist behind it for failing to seek clarification. “A responsible journalist would have reached out for verification before publishing such nonsense. This is how fake journalism thrives—by spreading lies instead of facts,” he fumed.

Dr. Boco urged the public to disregard misleading reports and called on media practitioners to uphold ethical standards. “Journalism is meant to inform, not mislead. If you call yourself a journalist, do your job properly—verify, balance, and report the truth,” he stated.

As misinformation continues to threaten the credibility of media institutions, this incident serves as a wake-up call for practitioners to prioritize accuracy over sensationalism. Fake news may trend, but truth and professionalism will always stand the test of time.