BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Cross River State Governor Bassey Edet Otu has assured Igbo indigenes of the government’s robust partnership in expanding their economic frontiers and driving the State’s overall growth and development goals.
Governor Otu said the Ndigbo’s economic acumen and self-entrepreneurial spirit are strategic factors in his administration’s vision of exploring development initiatives aimed at taking the State to a new level of economic prosperity.
The Governor, who spoke during the celebration of this year’s New Yam festival by the Igbo community in the State, said his administration’s plans involve partnership, particularly in the area of intelligence gathering on security matters.
According to Governor Otu, represented at the occasion by his Chief of staff, Hon Emmanuel Ironbar, focused on securing the lives and property of every person residing in the state, the State government will not relent in creating a viable, conducive and secure environment for businesses and commerce to thrive.
Stating that the new administration is working out a strategic and all-inclusive economic template towards improving Cross River’s economic fortunes and competitiveness among the comity of States, the governor urged the Igbo community to stay focused and look forward to a robust entrepreneurial collaboration that will be beneficial to everyone involved.
In his welcome remarks at the occasion, the Eze Ndigbo in Cross River, Sir Emmanuel Ezenwenyi assured Governor Otu of the Igbo community’s readiness to diversify their business frontiers by venturing into agro-allied and agricultural development pursuits given the productively fertile natural environment in the state.
He however pleaded with the State government to assist the Ndigbo in the area of land acquisition to avoid unnecessary drawbacks and possible conflicts always associated with such engaging ventures.
Sir Ezenwenyi further stated being naturally gifted in their self-reliant approach to survival, the Igbos are ready to demonstrate and prove that they have found a home away from home in Cross River and all they need is support from the State government in order to contribute their quota towards boosting the government’s economic agenda.
On his part, the Eze Ndigbo in Akwa Ibom State, His Majesty Eze Dr CYC Umeakuka JP also praised the Cross River government for creating a favourable economic environment that continues to attract their kith and kins to be involved in the economic development of the state.
He pleaded with Governor Otu to engage his colleagues across the country on the need to emulate and replicate in their various states the cordial atmosphere existing in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states that enhances the peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and religion.
The event, which marked the 33rd-anniversary celebration of the coronation of Eze Ndigbo, Sir Emmanuel Ezenwenyi in the state, also witnessed the conferment of chieftaincy titles on deserving and illustrious Ndigbo sons and daughters residing in the state.
Those honoured include Dr Mrs Francisca Odigwe of the Department of Educational Management, University of Calabar, Hon, Okey Madwekwe, an Electrical Merchant, Sir Dr, Iyke Ukweh, the Group Managing Director of Hogis Luxury Suites.
Another highlight of the occasion was the cultural display from all the states in the South-East geo-political region.
