Cross River State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr Justin Beshel, has assured his boss, the Executive Governor of Cross River, Senator Bassey Otu, of his unwavering commitment, diligence, trustworthiness, and eagerness to do more as Commissioner.
Dr. Justin Beshel expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Governor Senator Bassey Otu for giving him the opportunity to serve and learn under the Governor’s tutelage and that there is much in store for the State because the governor has charted a course for them.
Dr. Beshel disclosed this in a thank-you letter to the Governor on Friday, August 16, to commemorate his one-year in office as Commissioner for Science and Technology.
The letter reads: “Your Excellency, I woke this morning to realize today is exactly one year since I was sworn in as a Member of the Cross River State Executive Council and Commissioner for Science and Technology.”
“I cannot forget in haste how tedious and tasking the selection process was, but despite all interests placed before you, you graciously considered an inexperienced me.”
“In the course of this service, you have adopted me and shown me love to the envy of many. Your confidence in me has helped me develop the inert potential I never knew I possessed.”
“Today, I have built bridges across States, the Federal Government, Ministries, and Global Development Agencies. The exposure and knowledge acquired in this short stay in office are unparalleled and top-notch. Every day, I learn, unlearn, and relearn to meet up with the demands of my office. Every day, I wake with a renewed determination to make the best use of this office to leave a legacy in the sands of time. And to the Glory of God, my one year in office has put Cross River State in the Science, Technology, and Digital Innovation Space, nationally and internationally.”
“In line with the Global Best Practices for transparency and accountability, we began with the creation of the state’s one-shop website – crossriverstate.gov.ng, where information about the day-to-day activities of the state,e, irrespective of one location, can be seen and followed.”
“Today, it’s no longer news that our online payment authentication system has helped boost the revenue generation of Cross River State. A state that was perennially known as a poor state through our app now generates up to six billion Naira monthly.”
“Just within a year, through my Ministry, 200KVA Solar Power Infrastructure has been built and deployed serving several MDAs, and the process is still ongoing to supply uninterrupted power supply to all MDAs across the state.”
“Your Excellency, the Metro Fibre Optic Network is receiving attention. Repairs are ongoing, and the vision of running a Smart City is almost a certainty. Some households and Institutions are already served by our state network. Just recently, we launched an internet service for both staff and students’ use in the College of Health Technology, Calabar.”
“We have not relented in knocking on the doors of our Mother Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. Through persistent effort, we got approval for the building of the Regional Office of PRODA in Cross River State, with ongoing work at Akamkpa. Not less than 1000 Youths were trained in post-harvest reduction modern techniques, fish farming, Snailry, and Mushroom farming, facilitated by the Federal Government.”
“The same is applied in the ongoing 3MTT jobs, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Cross River state is fully participating, and many youths are undergoing the training, with a typical Youth of Cross River origin, Patrick Ndifon, as the Project Manager.”
“The IDICE program under the Office of the SA to the President on Digital and Creative Economy promises to impact greatly Cross Riverians. I have shared informally with the University of Calabar, UNICROSS, and the Federal Polytechnics, Ugep, for Expression of Interest to serve as training centers. This is a privilege I got from my relationship with the Special Adviser, Mr. Fegho who himself has visited Cross River State twice to show his commitment to our course. And aside from the IDICE project, his office has promised to partner with private creatives. One of such he recently informed is Last Prophet Show and Comedy, and the Carnival Calabar.”
“Your Excellency brought before you just recently a partnership opportunity I secured with NaWIWI Farms for the training of 1500 youth in smart and digital farming. The training, which covers the application of AI, blockchain, drone operation, tractor operations, and precision farming, is due to commence in September. And out of the 1500 trainees, there is a ready job for the best 1000 trainees.”
“NITDA has assured us of 3 Digital Innovation Hubs in the last quarter of this year. And UNESCO is concluding arrangements for the Girls in STEM Education project.”
“Your Excellency, it is on record that Cross River State today is the best state in Science and Technology. This was declared and followed with an award during the last Science Tech EXPO held in Abuja where all states competed, and Cross River State emerged first. This was the second award after being declared the best state in Digital Innovation and presented the.NG Award in Lagos by NIRA.”
“Your Excellency, there is much in the offing for our Dear State because you have charted a course for us. I can only submit myself to you in gratitude for granting me this opportunity to serve and learn under your tutelage. I promise you nothing but unalloyed commitment, diligence, trustworthiness, and a ready zeal to do more. Thank you, and God bless you.”
