Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has reassured Cross Riverians of his administration’s commitment to promoting science, innovation, and technology amongst the youths.
Governor Bassey Otu made this known to newsmen on Wednesday, through the Commissioner for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Dr. Justine Beshel, while addressing youths on the sideline of events to mark the 2023 Edition of Calabar Festival of Ideas which was held at the Calabar Cultural Center, Calabar.
Governor Otu while applauding the organizers of the event, noted that the program was a right step in the right direction and that ideas when backed up with action can change the world.
Otu explained his administration’s readiness to harvest from the beautiful ideas of the young people in the state and transform them into an incubation industry as technology rules the world.
“We are ready to ensure that Cross River State becomes a hub of technology in Nigeria. We intend to see how we develop and promote science and technology and also develop the digital market because that’s what rules the world at the moment. We want to wire and rewire the fibers that connect the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State, and to ensure every Cross Riverian has access to the network.”, Otu added.
The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem was on Tuesday, 23 August 2023, honoured with momentum by the Diamond Youth Transformation Initiative/Nigeria Youth Decide in Abuja.
The group which is a none partisan organization focused on encouraging good governance, described the speaker as a pragmatic leader, stated that the honour bestowed on the Speaker was necessary after following his track records and also his positive efforts towards nation-building over the years.
Responding, Ayambem thanked the organization for recognizing his little quota towards democratic excellence across the nation. He reminded them that governance remains a joint task and called for all hands to be on deck for the improvement of citizens welfare and society.
Witnessing the presentation were the member representing Yala 1 State Constituency, Hon. Brian Odey, Mr. Sylvester Abang, Chief Protocol to the governor of Cross River State, and the Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State amongst others.
President Tinubu has on 21 August 2023 officially inaugurated his Ministers with a charge to immediately hit the ground running as neither him nor Nigerians will accept anything short of speedy result and success as the President is very passionate about bringing a renewed hope in the lives of Nigerians by alleviating them from poverty amongst others.
Immediately after the inauguration, the Honorable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr. Betta Edu resumed her new office and was received by the Permanent Secretary, Directors, Heads of agencies and a huge crowd at the ministry. The P.S Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo who briefed the Honorable Minister on the activities of the Ministry over the past 4 years, appreciated her for her sterling performance over the years stating that she’s the perfect person to head the Ministry judging from the fact that it is the closest to the people as it addresses so many issues for millions of people. He said incidentally 21 August 2023 is the 4th Anniversary of the ministry and the appointment of Dr Betta Edu is indeed a renewed hope for the ministry.
Addressing the entire staff and management of the Ministry, the Honorable Minister thanked and commended the Permanent Secretary and his Staff for being steadfast, hardworking and dedicated thereby keeping the Ministry running. She assured them of a transparent and result oriented administration while charging them to get ready for the task ahead.
“It was very necessary that we get to work immediately, President Tinubu came very prepared and has given us a charge during the inauguration to get to work and hit the ground running as he won’t accept or condole any excuses or failure. Nigerians are desperate for a renewed hope and that hope has to come now. There’s a lot to be done hence the importance of my making sure that we begin this journey just few minutes after my inauguration.
“I operate an open door policy as such they won’t be room for excuses, am a team player and a good listener, it is therefore expected of us to work in synergy, speed and determination as that is the only way we can meet up with the huge expectations of millions of Nigerians, yes we owe them that. The task ahead of us is enormous but must be surmounted, we’ll put smiles on the faces of about 136m poor Nigerians by creating at least 10 million jobs, unveiling the renewed hope poverty alleviation agenda amongst other things She promised that in few months they’ll begin to see results, because the team President Tinubu has put up, very capable, resolute, determined, and desperate for results.
Indeed it is a ‘RENEWED HOPE’ for all Nigerians as President Tinubu came very prepared,” the Minister added. The Humanitarian Ministry seeks to ease human suffering and maintain/reestablish circumstances that honor and protect human dignity with a mission to develop good humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of National and International humanitarian interventions that will benefit Nigerians and remove them from poverty. The will also be working on President Tinubu action plan to pull 136 million Nigerians from poverty. The journey to achieving this great feat has just began, Nigerians will get results soon especially as the Ministry is in the hands of an experienced and result driven leader with very outstanding achievements and success story.
The Permanent Secretary Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, mni officially handed over documents as well as the entire affairs of the Ministry and sector to the Honorable Minister in the presence of Directors of the Ministry, Agencies of the Ministry and the Media.
Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, has responded swiftly to a distress call by some residents of Ikot-Ishie over a day old baby abandoned by an unidentified person along Ikot-Ishie market.
Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem alongside the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Helen Agan Isamoh rushed to the scene for rescue but met the one-day old baby without cloths and placed on the road already deceased.
Elvert Ayambem frowned at the ungodly act while expressing sadness over the demise of the baby.
In his words, the speaker noted “this heartbreaking incident is a stark reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. He added that “no child deserves such a tragic fate”.
Elvert charged cross riverians to always be vigilant, security conscious and report such crimes and others to relevant authorities. He added that his phone lines are always open to distress calls, that cross riverians should not always hesitate to call on him in any distress situation.
Ayambem also encouraged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to to put more efforts in ensuring that the vulnerable ones in the society are protected and catered for.
The Speaker in his humane nature, wrapped the dead baby into the trunk of his car and drove to a police station at state housing Calabar, where he officially registered the case and handed over the dead baby to the Nigerian Police.
Dr. Justin Beshel, the newly inaugurated Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, has commenced his duties with a visit to the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar at his office in Calabar to discuss and fathom way forward for the development of the state.
Dr. Beshel also visited the Cross River State Head of Service, Mr. Ogbang Akwaji, Permanent Secretary (PS) Ministry of Sport, Mr. Yibala Bassey and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Orim, as part of his familiarization to kickstart work on his assigned duties as the commissioner for Science, Technology and innovation.
Recall that during the swearing-in of Dr. Beshel, he assured cross riverians of the state global participation and competitiveness in the areas of science, technology and innovation.
He further enunciated his willingness and dedication to bringing his wealth of experience and pedigree to bear in ensuring that Cross River state is ranked among top global communities in terms of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Dr. Beshel has begun in earnest to accomplish the aforementioned set goals.
The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem has commended the Nigerian Navy for its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the state’s maritime domain.
Ayambem who gave the commendation during a courtesy visit on the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command in Calabar, lauded the Navy’s concerted efforts in combating criminal activities such as kidnapping, sea piracy, and robbery, enabling a hitch free maritime investment. He expressed the 10th Assembly’s readiness to collaborate with relevant security stakeholders to eradicate criminality in the state.
Responding, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oluwagbire, recounted the Navy’s remarkable success story in securing the waterways over the years.
He thanked the Speaker and his team for recognising the Navy’s role in maritime safety and deeming it necessary to visit. Rear Admiral Oluwagbire reassured the Speaker of the Navy’s relentless dedication to achieving a crime-free society, particularly in the creeks and marine domain.
Matthew Okache,
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker.
“Flowing from the emergency Congress of the Law Students Association of Nigeria, University of Calabar Chapter (LAWSAN-UCC), the General Congress which is the apogee and highest decision making body of the Association’s leadership as provided for in the provisions of section 12 of the LAWSAN UCC Constitution and the universal tight of the people to decide its leadership, which was called in lieu of the foregoing developments in the Association, the members of Congress have unanimously passed a Vote of No Confidence on the President of LAWSAN -UCC, Comr. Obi, Benedict Otu and therefore wish to state as follows:
1. That the general congress unanimously resolved that the issues before us, ipso facto qualifies as abuse of office, executive rascality, outright and utter disrespect and disregard for our constitutional provisions, and a crass manipulation of congressmen and members of the Association.
2. That, the president has repeatedly failed to call congressmen to address them on his plans and purposes of same and has acted without the collective resolution of the House or at least a notice to the congress.
3. That, the President as he then was misled, cajoled and unlawfully lured innocent LAWSANites, who are taxpayers of the Association and bonafide members thereof into a protest at the office of the Vice Chancellor on Monday, the 14th day of August, 2023. He grossly misrepresented the Association by making a litany of false statements against, thereby misleading the general public and breaching the trust placed on him by the Association just to pursue and achieve his personal gains and vendetta.
4. That, beyond his acts of gross misconduct, abuse of public office and disregard for the principles of the rule of law, the President, as he then was, in the first academic semester of the Faculty fraudulently obtained a sum of N2,000 from over 400 law students of the Year 1 A and B class respectively for the purpose of making available ID cards for them. Whereas, it could be recalled vividly that the Vice Chancellor and Management of the University had in their magnanimity and love for the Students, provided free ID cards for every student of the University, including members of our Association. Beyond this being a constitutional breach, it is also a heinous criminal offense contrary to the provisions of section 419 of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria and the Association with the plethora of evidences at its disposal shall explore all legal means and channels to prosecute Mr. Benedict Otu.
5. That, Mr. Benedict Otu has serially been caught on record, threatening innocent members of the Association, compelling them to align with his fraudulent activities or face severe sanctions from him. Time and again, he has represented himself as the only Student in the University community who can instruct our Amiable Vice Chancellor to do his bidding and she will do same.
6. That, his actions has brought disrepute and trauma to innocent students of the Year One class who were cajoled into an unapproved protest by the Congress, and the foreign elements he galvanized to masquerade as Law Students, dressed in black and white.
The congress men are dissatisfied with his lame attempt to further mislead and threaten the students into submission as can be seen in his continued locking of the LAWSAN UCC official WhatsApp group to deny anyone a right to comment on the issue and his admittance in his own press statement that he deliberately misled them, the president therefore no longer enjoys the goodwill and support of our students and is therefore removed from Office as PRESIDENT of the Association and consequently suspended from the Association pending the conclusion of all investigation to be carried out by a committee to be set up by the Vice President.
7. That forthwith, the Vice President is directed to act in his stead as “Acting President” of the Association as prescribed by the constitution.
8. That, the general public is hereby informed that Comrade Benedict Otu does not speak for the Association forthwith and any transactions and dealings with him is at personal risk.
9. That, congressmen therefore puts a lien on the Association’s accounts and demand the former president to within 48 hours return all Association’s properties and documents in his possession and cease to parade himself as the President of the Association.”
In a bid to enhance road safety and streamlined traffic management, the Cross River State House of Assembly and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have fostered collaboration to restore sanity on the roads and properly checkmate the excesses of motorists and other road users within the state.
This partnership was formalized during a courtesy visit by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, to the office of FRSC’s Sector Commander, Cross River State Command, Istifanus Andesaba Ibrahim, recently in Calabar.
The Speaker said the essence of the visit was for him and the Assembly to familiarise with the operations of FRSC, while emphasizing the need for a more robust approach to road safety.
The Speaker also praised the organisation’s dedication to enforcing road safety measures, urging Cross River Command to double its efforts towards safer roads in the state.
Ayambem who expressed reservation at the recurrent gridlock occasioned by the presence of FRSC personnel along roads within the Calabar Metropolis, called on the Command to address such challenge, as the city centre and seat of government should have free flow of traffic, rather than impeded vehicular movement.
In his response, the Sector Commander, Istifanus Andesaba Ibrahim, expressed gratitude for the visit and underscored the importance of the Assembly to foster collaboration. He emphasized the need of joint efforts involving state traffic authorities and other relevant agencies to harness the full potential of the FRSC’s professional services.
He assured the Assembly of the FRSC’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of motorists in Cross River State.
Addressing the immediate concern, Commander Ibrahim pledged to take immediate action by instructing his personnel to cease operations along major roads within the Calabar Metropolis. This step, he believed, would enhance smoother flow of traffic and minimize congestion.
According to the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, “Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.”, this means with proper planning, the right strategy, and purposeful leadership, lost glory can afterall be regained.
Cross River state Governor, Senator (Prince) Otu has demonstrated this with the restoration and renewing of the state’s lofty dreams.
In Calabar, the state capital, time was when the port city proudly stood out as the cleanest city in Nigeria. This was before the situation changed and other cities started competing with the clean and green status of the canopy city.
However, Calabar is gradually returning to its lost glory, the city is cleaning up. It was a promise made and it shall be promise kept. Governor Otu is keeping to his word, having pledged in his inaugural speech to make the city clean again. Indeed, for Cross River and her people, May 29, 2023, was historic.
That day, a restorer and a renewer mounted the saddle to usher the state into a refreshing and exhilarating new dawn. The restorer and renewer is His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu.
Governor Otu is a new vista that has happened on Cross River. The “People First” policy which underpins the programs of his administration is clinically restoring and renewing hope for a better Cross River, it has also bolstered the fading confidence Cross Riverians had in government before now.
Indeed, inspiring confidence in the people; restoring and renewing their hope, and generally walking the talk are some of the hallmarks of a true, exceptional leader.
A compendium of Governor Otu’s achievements since assuming office shows a focused and far-sighted leader with systemic planning as his guiding book.
And is Governor Otu getting the trust of the people in return? Yes! And plentifully too. Cross Riverians appreciate the breath of fresh air that he represents, especially the grassroots support base he has enjoyed since his first election into the National Assembly in 2003.
This is so because various measures to rebuild the state which his government has put in place since taking the oath of office are positively and visibly impacting the people gradually.
These are redemptive measures geared towards setting the state on the path of socio-economic and infrastructural revival and consolidation. The drive is to reinvent Cross River in all ramifications, consolidating on the efforts of his predecessors.
The restoration of Calabar to its former glory is one of such measures.No sooner had Governor Otu assumed office than he activated his ‘people first’ action plans in ensuring that Calabar returns to the Cleanest City status it enjoyed in the past. The gradual disappearance of a deluge of refuse that had defaced the aesthetics of Calabar is a pointer to this.
As a proactive leader and as he pledged in his inaugural address, the Governor wasted no time in infusing a new vigor into refuse evacuation, so much so that the agency responsible for the exercise and its trucks are common sights in various parts of the city 24/7 clearing refuse.
Today, it is a delight watching trucks from the state Waste Management Agency saturate various parts of the city evacuating refuse, the result is that Calabar is gradually wearing a new look, its original clean and sparkling status having been restored.
How did Otu do it? Getting the people to trust and repose confidence in government or leaders is no rocket science. What is required are practical actions or steps by such a leader.
The Governor is such a leader who tackles problems and devises solutions by leading from the front, hence it wasn’t a surprise that two days after he was sworn into office he stormed the Calabar dumpsite at LEMNA to access it for proper management, since then, the story has changed.
In the Governor’s words, “Why I came here today is to assess the situation firsthand and make sure from tomorrow things are done to make this dumpsite workable, and that trucks that are coming in can move in very easily to deliver their dump… Calabar is going to be clean again, very very soon.”
Governor Bassey Otu
To give a flip to his determination to restore Cross River and Calabar in particular to its past glory as the cleanest city in Nigeria, the Governor has since put in place a new guideline for refuse disposal by residents. For a robust evacuation process and to put a stop to indiscriminate disposal of refuse by residents, the guideline requires all residents to dispose of their refuse at designated evacuation points between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
Similarly, Governor Otu has directed the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) to effectively mobilize its staff to double efforts in cleaning streets and desilting of gutters where necessary to allow for easy and free flow of water in the drains.
The Governor has also put in place a tactical team charged with ensuring full compliance with the new waste disposal guideline.
What is more, the Governor suspended the activities of the Scap Metal Agency which, according to security sources, have contributed to insecurity challenges in Cross River State.
With this suspension, truly the people of the state can now sleep with their two eyes closed as incidents of car theft have reduced within the last three weeks of the suspension.
The aesthetics of Canan City, as Calabar is affectionately referred to, is gradually coming up, the reason the Governor assured visitors recently that the city will wear a dazzling new look before the 2023 edition of the annual Carnival Calabar fiesta.
With Calabar back to its glory, it is imperative to state that people’s attitudes about, and perceptions of sanitation issues contribute to the waste management problem, especially in third-world countries.
Essentially, urban waste management constitutes one of the most crucial health and environmental issues facing third-world cities. Proper waste management is, therefore, a collaborative effort between the government and the people.
Residents of Calabar must understand this and adopt the right attitude toward waste disposal.
Indeed, improper waste disposal by one individual ultimately affects the entire citizenry, this means that every resident must contribute significantly to the process of keeping Calabar clean.
Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair is the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Governor Bassey Otu.
The Cross River State governor, Sen. Bassey Otu has met with organised Labour in the state where issues of palliative for workers as a result of fuel subsidy removal, as well as other issues bothering workers welfare were discussed.
This will be the second time the Governor would be meeting the organised Labour in government house in less than two months .
The meeting which was held behind closed doors was attended by the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade Gregory Ulayi, his counterpart from the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Monday Ogbodum as well as the Chairman of the state Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Raymond Afo.
Briefing Government House Correspondents, after the meeting, State Chairman of NLC Gregory Ulayi said “We met with the governor as organised labour, and the way forward on a plethora of issues, and the discussions were fruitful.
“We have discussed and we all agreed and the Governor gave us five days to call us back to see what he can do to reduce the sufferings of workers”
The Labour leaders said workers in Cross River State are very hopeful,explaining that from their interactions with the Governor, they will smile in few days to come.
Continuing, he averred that “the Governor also spoke about the issue of palliative because of the removal of fuel subsidy and he assured us that he was going to do the needful.
“We also discussed the implementation of promotion, and he regretted the sufferings of workers in the state, and promised he was going to attend to it.
Governor Bassey Otu on June 20th, 2023, met with the leadership of the Organised Labour where he assured to meet the Union leaders periodically to bring them up to speed on the state matter as it affects workers, in a bid to reposition Cross River State Civil Service.
