By Our Reporter
As part of activities marking his second anniversary in office, the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, on Thursday commissioned the newly remodeled Governor’s Office and the Office of the First Lady.
He also unveiled his administration’s scorecard at a town hall meeting attended by a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including members of the National and State Assemblies, the State Executive Council, political appointees, religious and traditional leaders, traders, and elder statesmen.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Otu expressed delight at the successful completion of the Governor’s Office remodeling, describing the edifice as a “symbol of dignity, service, and renewed commitment to the people of Cross River State.”
“The journey to this day has been long but worthwhile. At the temporary office, my staff and I often worked until midnight. It was far from convenient, but we endured it because we were determined to deliver. Today, we unveil an edifice that reflects our ideals—service, respect, and a bold vision for the future of our state,” the Governor stated.
Governor Otu further assured that the upgraded office complex would enhance government efficiency and inspire the administration to deliver even more on its promises.
“Without sounding immodest, we have successfully fulfilled up to 60 percent of our pre-election and campaign promises to the people,” he affirmed.
Also speaking at the event, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, described the commissioning as a significant milestone in the administration’s institutional and infrastructural reform agenda.
“This is more than just a building,” Prof. Owan-Enoh said. “It is a symbol of structure, focus, and stability. The Otu-led administration is clearly committed to laying a strong foundation for a greater Cross River.”
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, reflected on the challenges encountered and overcome in executing the project. He emphasized that strict oversight and accountability mechanisms were in place to ensure quality delivery.
“We monitored this project closely—day by day—because we understood its significance. This office is the engine room of governance, and it now reflects the ambition and seriousness of this administration,” he said.
The Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, Mr. Edem Bassey, also addressed the gathering, assuring that a robust maintenance culture would be instituted to preserve the facility’s standard and utility.
Spiritual significance was added to the ceremony as the Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Ekpenyong Akpanika, led the Governor and dignitaries in a session of prayer and worship to dedicate the office complex to God.
In a related development, the fully remodeled Office of the First Lady was also commissioned. Her Excellency, Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering support, reaffirming her commitment to using the office as a platform for humanitarian and socially transformative programs.
“This office will not only serve as a workplace but as a hub of purpose. Over the past two years, we have devoted ourselves to the service of the vulnerable—widows, children, the elderly, and others in need. This space will help us scale up those efforts for even greater impact,” she stated.
Later in the day, attention shifted to the Calabar International Conference Center, where the Governor unveiled his administration’s scorecard following a detailed PowerPoint presentation by the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the State Planning Commission, Dr. Bong Duke. The town hall meeting drew a large audience of top government officials, traditional rulers, civil servants, and members of the public—all of whom commended Governor Otu for his unwavering commitment to transparency, infrastructure renewal, and people-centered governance.
