By Onwa Ekor
August 2025 will continue to remain evergreen in the hearts and minds of serving and disengaged staff of the office of Cross River Auditor General, as retirees were honoured.
Held at the Dome, Calabar Municipality, the event drew retired staff of the office including past Directors, Auditor General including the immediate past holder of the Office, Mrs Ann Essessien, who played host to the event on the eve of her disengagement from service.
Though filled with mixed feelings, Essessien informed the crowd that she remains indeed proud for the feats achieved by her team and the office in ensuring that public funds are used responsibly and effectively.
Her words: “I am filled with mixed emotions and grateful for the opportunity to have served as the Auditor-General, a role that has been both challenging and rewarding throughout my career.
“I have been committed to upholding principles of transparency, accountability and good governance, I am proud of the work we have done to ensure that public funds are used responsibly and effectively,” the immediate past Auditor General, remarked.
She applauded the staff for their support, dedication and hard work, maintaining that, “as I look ahead to the future, I am excited to embark on a new chapter, I am confident that audit office will continue to strive and make positive impact on the society.”
The trio of Dr. Ekeng Enebiah, Mrs Blessing Bassey and Mary Achu in their life experiences cautioned those still in service to continue to stand for integrity and never get induced by gifts or financial rewards.
According to them, audit policy of documents examination, to ensure they conform with laid down principles for persons not to divert public funds, should be properly followed.
Earlier, co-chairman of the event, Emmanuel Bassey, who stood in for Obol Innocent Eteng, enjoined the living to always thank God for the gift of life.
“Some people leave service at 60, while others leave after serving for 35 years, but when you leave and return for this kind of a party or retirement service, you need to raise your voice in thanking God for the gift of life,” Bassey admonished.
Responding on behalf of the retirees of the office, Chris Ubung, thanked the organisers for putting up funds to arrange the event which seeks to honour the disengaged.
Ubung said: “A lot of us didn’t know that we are still being remembered and that we are still cherished, but today, we have come to know that our little efforts and services we put in while in office, was highly and truly valued.”
Although, the former Auditor General, Comrade John Odey was represented at the event by Mr. Eku Bassey, a citation of Mrs Ann Essessien revealed that she began her career in the Office of the State Auditor General in 1988 when she was employed as Audit Assistant 1.
According to the citation, she rose steadily through the ranks distinguishing herself through hardwork, professionalism and a deep sense of responsibility until September 21, 2023 when she was appointed as Auditor General and confirmed October 5, 2023, making her the fourth Auditor General and notably the first female to hold the prestigious position in the history of Cross River.
