Month: March 2023

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News Politics

“Your Victory Therefore Is A True Reflection Of The True Will Of The People As Well As Their Confidence In You” – Sen. Owan Enoh Congratulates CRS Governor-Elect

The Cross River APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 General Elections and immediate past senator representing Central Senatorial District, Sen. John Owan Enoh,  has congratulated Cross River State Governor-Elect, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu on his resounding victory at the just concluded Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

In a statement signed and released by distinguished Senator John Owan Enoh on Thursday morning, he said that the victory of Sen. Bassey Otu is a true reflection of the true will of the people as well as their confidence in him(Otu).  Sen Enoh further stated that the people of Cross River “desire a compassionate government that will promote peace, prosperity and create the enabling environment for their potentials to unfurl and flourish.”

Read the full congratulatory message below:

YOUR DECISIVE VICTORY, A TRUE REFLECTION OF THE WILL AND CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE

Let me use this opportunity to warmly congratulate you and the All Progressives Congress (APC) family in Cross River State on your decisive victory during the just concluded Governorship election in the State.

Your Excellency, the Governor-Elect, during the campaign, you took your message, encapsulated in “The People First Manifesto”, to all the nooks and crannies of our dear State. Our people bought into your brand-new vision for our State and voted massively for you.

Your victory therefore is a true reflection of the true will of the people as well as their confidence in you. Our people desire a compassionate government that will promote peace, prosperity and create the enabling environment for their potentials to unfurl and flourish.

Even as we celebrate this collective affirmation of the people in your ability to deliver a purposeful leadership as comprehensively demonstrated in the election, you should however not lose sight of the enormous task ahead and the weight of the huge expectations of our people.

Over the years, you have etched yourself in the consciousness of our people as an empathetic leader and a high performer with sterling and tangible deliverables. This is yet another opportunity that providence has offered you with a state-wide sacred mandate of the people to deliver the dividends of democracy for the common good. Given your track record of service, I have no doubt that you will rise up to the occasion to deliver a new Cross River of great promise, opportunities and prosperity.

Experience has shown that the vast majority of our people are willing to follow to the extent that they find a leader ready to lead. I am again confident in your ability to provide that leadership as indeed history beckons on you to.

May the Lord grant you exceptional wisdom to pilot the ship of State and to drive the process of governance and accelerated prosperity.

God bless you and our dear State.

John Owan Enoh

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Politics

CHIEF AKIN RICKETTS CONGRATULATES CROSS RIVER GOVERNOR ELECT, SEN. PRINCE BASSEY OTU.

The NPA Board Chairman Chief Akin Ricketts, on Monday, described the outcome of Saturday’s governorship and State House of Assembly election in Cross River State, won by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu and Cyril Omini, as an expression of the will of the people through ballot Box.

 

The NPA Board Chairman, while congratulating Sen. Prince Otu and his Deputy, also commended the commitment and maturity of members of Chief Akin Ricketts Campaign Organization, Grassroots Unit (CARCO G-UNIT), who hitherto instigated and fully engaged in their door to door Sensitization and Voters Education movement prior to the just concluded election.

 

He further noted that the successful conduct of the election was a further testimony to the maturity and commitment of all party stalwarts, the electorial body, security agencies, political parties, civil Society, Media and the electorate in a bid to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process.

 

Chief Akin Ricketts who is the reigning Obol Kepon and village head of Aboni Community in Ijiman, Ugep, has also extended his warm felicitations to the governor elect.

 

“I extend my warm felicitations to you on your well-deserved victory in the just concluded gubernatorial election. For those of us who have keenly followed your giant strides in human development as a Federal legislator and Senator representing the good people of Cross River Southern Senatorial district, your victory did not come as a surprise.

 

“Your election therefore, represents a bold and emphatic testimony to the good work you have during your spell at the National Assembly.

 

Chief Akin Ricketts also observed that the people’s power, as expressed in the 18th March polls, remained the most potent force in any democracy.

 

Conclusively, “your win is a victory for all Cross Riverian, the State and our great party, the APC. It also validates that truly, there is progress in our state.

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News

Republic of China (Taiwan) Congratulates Asuquo Ekpenyong on Election Victory

The Republic Of China has Congratulated the Senator-elect for Cross River South senatorial district, Asuquo Ekpenyong on his victory at the just concluded National Assembly election, describing it as “emphatic”

In a congratulatory letter signed by Andy Yih Ping Liu, Ambassador and head of mission, Taiwanese Embassy in Nigeria, the Asian country stated that Ekpenyong’s victory was attestation to his acceptance and confidence reposed in him by his constituents.

“On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, I extend to you our warmest congratulations on your emphatic victory. We are proud of the relationship between your esteemed self and our office and we look forward to working more closely with you to confront critical strategic matters of interest to our countries. ” The letter reads in part.

Continuing, they expressed optimism that Ekpenyong’s emergence as Senator will further strengthen, broaden and consolidate bilateral ties between the two countries.

Recall that Ekpenyong, the immediate past Cross River state Commissioner for Finance and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, emerged victorious in the February 25th, 2023 National Assembly election.

The 38year old Harvard trained financial expert will be the youngest Senator in the 10th Senate Assembly.

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News Politics

Governor-Elect, Sen. Bassey Otu Meets UN Representative, Seeks Support For Cross River

Barely a day after he was declared winner of the March 18th governorship election in Cross River State, Sen. (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu today met with the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale.

 

Receiving Mr. Schmale in Calabar, the governor-elect, Sen. Bassey Otu promised to partner with the international community to open up opportunities and better the lives of Cross Riverians.

 

Sen. Otu expressed delight over the visit, describing the discusion as very fruitful. He highlighted agriculture, rural development among others as key areas of interest.

 

Also speaking, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale congratulated the Governor-elect and expressed readiness to work with the incoming administration to address the issues of rural development, agriculture and others.

 

©️Prince Otu Media

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Politics

CRS Governor Elect, Sen Otu Pledges To Run A Compassionate Administration And A Listening Government

Cross River State Governor Elect, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu has assured Cross Riverians of running a compassionate administration and a listening government .

Sen Bassey Otu made this known to newsmen in calabar during his acceptance speech having been declared winner of the gubernatorial election by the Independent National Election Commission.

Read full acceptance speech below:

AN ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR-ELECT OF CROSS RIVER STATE, SENATOR (PRINCE) BASSEY EDET OTU 

Fellow Cross Riverians, this is the day we have waited for, prayed for and hoped for. It is the day that demonstrates, in a most profound way, the strength of our democracy and our people’s collective resolve to continue our peaceful march into a new era of growth and economic prosperity.

 

Brothers and sisters, | dedicate this victory to God Almighty, who in His Infinite wisdom has given us this day. This victory has once again proven God’s immense presence in the affairs of Cross River State. There is not a shadow of doubt about that! The glory belongs to Him.

 

Next, my gratitude goes to our dear Governor, His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade

 

In developing countries experience has shown that the struggle for power is not often a contest of ideas but a battle between right and wrong and justice and injustice ‘Your Excellency, you stood your ground and ensured that the delicate balance that holds our beloved state in place did not trip and tumble. This sngular act has set you apart as a man of deep convictions and passionate moral force. You have etched your name in history, Thank you so much

 

| bow in humility to the leadership and members of our great party (the APC) who worked night and day to give us victory. You went from door to door and from one market square to another to wake our brothers and sisters up to the incredible possibilities of a new Cross River State. This victory is a product of your commitment

 

| am infinitely grateful to the leaders of the church and the traditional institutions, student bodies and the youths, the market women and professional associations, the non-indigenes, the town unions and everyday people of Cross River State from the peaks of Obanliku hills to the lowiands of Bakassi!. You came together to make this history. This Dream is your dream!

 

Finally, | must thank my dear wife, my family and close frends who had to live with my long absences during the campaigns and who shared my anxieties when the votes were counted. You have the best of my loving Always!

 

Fellow Cross Riverians, the victory we celebrate today is not a winner takes-all. It ts not the victory of one political interest over another or the victory of one cultural zone over others, but the victory of our brotherhood over the dark forces that seek to polarize us into camps. It is the victory of our humanity over poisonous rhetoric.

 

Once again, we have demonstrated that the ties that bind us are stronger than the artificial gulfs they tried to create between us for selfish purposes.

 

This mandate is the people’s mandate. It is a reaffirmation that as a people, we have a keen sense of justice. And when the chips are down, we sacrifice our differences to reaffirm our sense of justice. | am touched by this act of greatness and | will not let you down. | will work night and day to justify the confidence you have reposed in me.

 

Feliow Cross Riverians, there are no winners and losers, no victor and no vanquished. What we have is the victory of democracy. So, | reach out a hand of fellowship to my brothers who ran for this position against me from other political parties. I urge you all to join hands with me, let us build a new Cross River State. This state belongs to only one party; and that is the people of Cross River State. We share the same Obligation to work for its welfare and progress.

 

My Team and I will settle down quickly to build bridges and mend broken fences to ensure that the bitterness that erupted during the campaigns are washed away by our collective tears of victory. We shall roll-up our shirt sleeves to ensure that everyone is given a sense of belonging in the coming dispensation and that together we shall force down the rainfail of greatness on our beloved state

 

My brothers and sisters, this is a great time to be a Cross Riverian. Our hard-working governor has fastidiously implemented a wonderful bluepnnt for our economic greatness. In so doing, he has made our work easy for us. We shall breathe a new life into all the industries he has built and harness their potentials to create more jobs and economic prosperity for our dear state.

 

| pledge to run a compassionate administration, a listening government, in which all blades of ideas shall be given a fair hearing and chance at success. We shall be fair to all but we shall insist on the minimum standards of decency in our interface with the people.

 

My government will have no place for ethnic champions who interpret life from the narrow prism of their tribal worldviews. We shall run an equitable, firm and compassionate government that will work for Cross River State.

 

Our policies and programmes shall touch the people where it matters the most. I reckon that it is the only way to justify your faith in me.

 

Fellow Cross Riverians, this is our brightest chance ever. We are at the threshold of a new beginning. We have a chance to re-imagine our dear state and re-invent Cross River into the paradise of our dreams.

Come with me into a New Dawn!

God bless Cross River State

God Bless Nigeria. Thank you.

 

 

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Uncategorized

CRSG Chief of Staff, Hon Orim Gets Honored As Obudu Cyclist Union Patron, Mobilizes Support for Otu, Agabi

The Chief of Staff to Cross River State Government and Chairman of the GFO Orim Foundation, Chief Hon. (Dr) Martin Orim was today honoured as Patron of Obudu Cyclist Union for his numerous contributions to the union and overall development of Obudu LGA.

Dr. Martin Orim, at the honorary event, laid the foundation block for the Cyclist Union Office as he supported the building project with cash donation of #300,000 and 200 bags of cement with other materials for the advancement of the union and her projects. Also, the Obudu State House of Assembly candidate, Hon. Sylvester Agabi also supported the project with #100,000.

Hon Orim’s support is coming a week after an appeal was made to him by the Cyclist Union to unclog the project.

The Cyclist Union used the forum to endorse the candidature of Sen Prince Bassey Otu for Governor and Hon Sylvester Agabi for Obudu State House of Assembly, as they assured of their votes for APC at all levels.

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News Politics

“Prince Otu Will Replicate Sterling Performance If Elected Governor”- Sen. Owan Declares As He Canvases Support For Otu, APC In Northern C’River

The Cross River APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 General Elections and immediate past senator representing Central Senatorial District, Sen. John Owan Enoh on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 had an interactive session with party faithfuls and various groups drawn across different strata of the society at the Northern Senatorial District of the state to solicit for support and massive votes for candidates of the party in the Saturday, March 18th Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly Elections.

The event which took place at the Ogoja Town hall attracted people from all works of life such as the The Cyclist Unions, Artisans, Christian Associations, Nigerian Labour Congress, Nigerian Union of Teachers, Non-APC members, Market women, Youth Groups and all the John Owan Enoh political structures comprising of Liarson officers spread across various wards that makes up the Five Local Governments of Ogoja, Yala, Bekwarra, Obanliku and Obudu respectively.

In his remarks, Sen. Owan admonished the people to come out in their numbers on Saturday and thumbprint for the APC from the gubernatorial to state House of Assembly Members. According to him, Cross River as it is presently constituted cannot afford to play opposition politics but rather there is need to align with the Federal Government which is controlled by the APC. He further added that “One good turn deserves another” because when it was the time of the North to produce governor, the South massively supported them so this is the time to pay back that support by voting for a Southern candidate in the person of Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu for the office of the governor.

Sen. Owan eulogized the personality traits of the APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Sen. Otu which according to him has proven over time to be a trusted, dependable and reliable politician as exemplified in his track records as a House of Representative member and senator who represented the Southern Senatorial District. According to him, Prince Otu performed excellently well in his last positions and will certainly replicate the same sterling performance if elected as governor of Cross River State.

Highpoint of the event was words of affirmation from representatives of the various groups present affirming their commitment to support the APC candidates during the Saturday poll.

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News Politics

‘Sweet’ Prince Bassey Otu – A Man With The Midas Touch, A Consummate Politician, And The Nuptiality of “Back To South”

Being barely 3 days to the gubernatorial election and to what seems like a last minute shopping for support; the rising popularity, undying love and acceptance of Senator Prince Bassey Otu across party lines has been very unprecedented in the past days amidst endorsement from Labour Unions, religious and socio-economic organizations, while some opposition candidates in forlornness have resulted to horse-trading in a desperate attempt hoodwink Cross Riverians, using external forces and riding on people’s goodwill rather than putting forth achievements to the masses.

Sen Prince Bassey Otu , an ex-banker, one time House of Representatives Member representing Odukpani and Calabar Municipal Federal Constituency and Senator representing Calabar South, combining both legislative and administrative experiences, and chairing vital committees, has much more than enough track records of outstanding performance and excellent capacity in leadership. In fact, Otu’s sterling performance as legislator has placed him higher than other candidates. His generosity, simplicity, sagacious leadership style and god-fearing nature graciously endeared him to the people, thus the name “Sweet Prince”.

During the 16 years reign of PDP before the coming of APC, we could barely hear anything about political empowerment in north and central Cross River State but one man in the Southern Senatorial District, Sen Prince Bassey Otu made Cross Riverians to understand what political empowerment meant. Where others went and brought salt and Maggie to their constituents, Otu went with a midas touch – a man with the ability of changing rusted metal to shining gold. A very calm and unassuming gentleman. At the upper legislative chambers, Otu brought skill acquisition programs (hairdressing, plumbing, tailoring etc.) which were followed up with startup capital upon completion of training. Many southern youths became landed proprietors, and thousands became car and tricycle (keknape) owners. It is said that majority of the taxicabs and tricycles in calabar today, were courtesy of Otu’s benevolence and generosity to his people, as it is on record the Otu gave more than 2,000 taxicabs and tricycles to his constituents.

Digressing from the sweetness of Prince Bassey Otu which has been evidently established beyond reasonable doubts, another factor advancing Otu’s aspiration of becoming the number one citizen of Cross River, and militating against the main opposition candidate is the call for rotation of power which is embedded in the “Back To South” mantra. While the opposition parties decided alter the rotational arrangement of power in the state in a desperate strive to showcase might, APC stood by the rotational accord which promotes fairness, unity, equity and justice in the state. Without the rotational accord, Cross River North would have been left out of power after the south and central had their own share of the governorship. Even though candidates always come from all districts during election, the consciousness and awareness of voters overtime during election has always been a reflection of the power rotation accord in the state.

 

Among the three Senatorial District, Cross River North which is still having the governorship position is the greatest beneficiary of power rotation, because prior to 2015 election, campaigns and political agitations were anchored on equity, unity and rotation of power, owing to the fact that the Central and South had benefited and it was left for the north to also benefit even though they couldn’t pull a weighty force as a minority region. At the time, the Southern Senatorial district pulled their mighty weight behind Cross River North in two consecutive times (2015 & 2019).

It will be barbaric and tantamount to betrayal for the North not to reciprocate the support of the south. If not supported, it maybe consequential to the northern region and the rising youths.

Sen. Prince Otu was once a labour party senatorial candidate in 2015 but later moved to APC and in 2019, he was approached by concerned youths and political gladiators who saw genuine leadership in him to run for the governorship against Ayade and the North, but in the spirit of equity, unity and justice, Otu declined, saying it was not yet the turn of the south. Now, the wind of equity, justice and fairness enveloped in the “Back To South” agitation is climaxing, it is expedient for Cross River North and indeed Cross Riverians at large to give their votes to a refined gentleman whose overwhelming performance as a senator has no doubt placed him in the hall of fame as the “Sweetest Prince”.

A vote for sweet Prince Bassey Otu is a vote for the actualisation of the people’s first manifesto where human capital and infrastructural development are topmost priority.

©️Denis Inakefe, ANIPR

Categories
Politics

Re: CRS GUBER ELECTION 2023: BETWEEN ONOR AND OTU, WHO HAS SHOWN MORE CAPACITY?

My attention has been drawn to a write up with the above caption.

The writer is without doubt a supporter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate.

He clearly belaboured himself in an unsuccessful effort to depict what he sees as a show of capacity and competence by Senator Sandy Onor over Senator Prince Bassey Otu.

Senator Prince Bassey Otu is the Governorship candidate of the APC in the 2023 elections, set to hold on March 11th. 2023, Just a few days away.

Senator Otu would not engage in self-praise for the numerous kindness and goodwill he has shown and shared with many. He is humble in his recognition that all glory goes to God for the grace and provisions upon his life.

Suffice it to say that it is his show of philanthropy and approach in the discharge of the constituency projects as a National Assembly member that earned him the name; “Sweet Prince”.

That name has become a household name on the lips of people across the length and breath of the State.

It is on record that Sweet Prince Bassey Otu as a serving Senator embarked on empowerment programs that still remain an unbroken record, many years after.

As a member of the House of Representatives for two tenures and a Senator for a single term, his record of Parliamentary contributions, legislative oversight functions as well as Parliamentary committee assignments remain a reference in Democratic gains.

You dare not challenge Senator Prince Otu to a contest of score card of philanthropy to members of his immediate constituency and beyond!

His campaign for Governorship in this 2023 election cycle has been anchored on his competence, capacity and the need for justice and fair play, captured under the Back-to-South agitation.

The agitation of Back-to-South is not an ethnic based endeavor. It is simply the right call with values that discerning minds across political lines have accepted.

The PDP instead breached the gentleman accord of rotation in governorship position, by the selfish ambition of Sandy Onor. His ambition is fast evaporating as it cannot overshadow the value of the Back-to-South agitation.

If anyone has brought ethnicity to bear in the Governorship campaigns, it is the PDP governorship candidate who has openly whipped up the ethnic argument of being of Ejagham ethnic bloc in the Central Senatorial district; and attempting to instigate the Ejagham people in the Southern district to pickup issues with other ethnic blocs in the south who over the years have co-existed peacefully with them.

If the PDP candidate loves the Ejagham people of the Southern district, why did he not give them chance to emerged when one of their sons presented himself during the PDP primary elections?

He can’t hide his face with one finger and be talking about Back-to-South agitation as an ethnic card when himself is dressed as one who is defending Ejagham people of the southern district.

We are growing our polity beyond these ethnic paradigm.

If there is a measure to assess capacity and competence in the political space, it is the election result in your immediate constituency and the general acceptance by your people.

The so called capacity PDP candidate lost election in his polling unit during the February 25th Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The so called capacity PDP candidate has been rejected by his people who are right thinking enough to accept the principles rotation in the state Governorship office as the best option for Peace, equity and fairness in the State.

In a recent campaign visit to the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Etung local government area, where Senator Sandy Onor hails from, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, the APC candidate got the full blessings of the Etung traditional institution and the Paramount Ruler did not hesitate when he openly declared that they believe in the principles of rotation and that the competence of Senator Prince Bassey Otu is even an additional reason to cement their decision to support him.

Indeed there’s no need to dissipate energy in defence of the truth that Sweet-Prince Bassey Otu has the undoubted capacity and competence for the Office of the Governor which he seeks the mandate of the people for.

He has publicly documented and presented his manifesto, tagged, “People First”

He will remain focused on the ultimate goal of getting the legitimate mandate to offer service and expand the gains of democracy which our fore bearers in that office up to the present administration has put in place.A Vote for prince Otu is a Vote a season of sweetness in Cross River,a Vote for prince Otu is a Vote a peaceful and prosporous Cross River State.

Barr.Ekpenyong Akiba Media aid to Senator prince Bassey Otu