By Onwa Ekor
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, Weekend, said the award of a Doctorate (Honoris Causa) by the Modibbo Adama University, Yola, as well as The Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year, was a charge on him to do more, even as he dedicated the two awards to Cross Riverians at home and in the diaspora including partners who have contributed to the state’s progress.
Otu won both laurels same day, with the prestigious Sun Newspaper award coming on the heels of the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate at a colourful ceremony held at the Eko Hotels and Event Centre, Lagos.
“This award is dedicated to all Cross Riverians, both home and abroad, and to everyone who has worked to take us to where we are today,” the governor said, amid cheers from supporters who accompanied him to the event.
Expressing gratitude to The Sun Newspaper, Otu described the honour as both a recognition of collective effort and a renewed call to greater service, noting that the awards initiative has, over the years, promoted excellence and national development.
“From the deepest of my heart, I bring you very warm felicitations from the good people of Cross River State.
“The sustainability of this Sun project has added value to Nigeria’s development. Over the years, I have watched closely and observed that most recipients of this award have contributed meaningfully to building Nigeria’s future,” he said.
Applauding the leadership of The Sun Newspaper for sustaining the tradition, he lauded its Chairman for providing a platform that inspires public office holders and private sector leaders to remain committed to service and national growth.
“This is truly a call for greater service, and I believe it will further strengthen the commitment of all awardees to what they are doing,” he added.
Otu described the recognition as an affirmation that his administration’s efforts across key sectors in the state are receiving national attention, stressing that the honour would further energise him to deliver more dividends of democracy.
“This recognition shows that what we are doing in Cross River is being seen and appreciated and it gives us even more momentum to do better,” he said.
Otu disclosed that “as we move towards our third year in office, we are working across all our thematic areas with renewed energy as we are committed to building a greater Cross River while contributing to a bigger and better Nigeria.”
Several prominent indigenes of the state attended the ceremony in solidarity with the governor and warmly congratulated him on the achievement, expressing goodwill and pride in his leadership.
Among them were, the deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem; Senators Agom Jarigbe, Asuquo Ekpenyong, and Eteng Williams; members of the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Emmanuel Ironbar and members of the State Executive Council.
