Governor Otu promises to maintain Agro-Industrialization drive of his predecessor
The recently inaugurated Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has pledged to maintain and elevate the agro-industrialization revolution initiative set forth by his predecessor.
Otu’s swearing-in and oath-taking ceremony, held at the U.J Esuene stadium, drew a massive crowd, with politicians from diverse political parties gracing the occasion.
“Fellow Cross Riverians, with great humility I stand before you today to accept the enormous responsibility you’ve given to me and my brother Hon Peter Odey to serve.”
His words, “Let me welcome all of you to this moment of history, we give God all the glory for leading us successfully from the primaries, through the campaign and the election to this inauguration, may his name be praised.””
“We will escalate the agro-industrial revolution with the foundation already put in place by my predecessor with the goal of converting the extant “food on the table and sells funds in the pocket” to a workable and productive economy. Leveraging on our policy direction which is, Emancipation, Education, and Empowerment as encapsulated in our People-First manifesto.
Speaking further Gov. Otu has also promised to change the narrative of the state, he said, “I am determined to change the fortunes of Cross River State by implementing a vibrant Agricultural ecosystem supported by various trade consolidation centers.
“”For instance, In Calabar, palm oil and fisheries shall be reactivated, while the trade consolation centers for cocoa in Ikom and rice in Ogoja shall be developed and promptly established. We will also explore all trade and legal openings for Tinapa to properly take off”
“”We fervently hope that our esteemed President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will fulfill his pledge to vigorously pursue the development of our Deep-Seaport project, as he assured us during his campaign primaries in our state””
In his valedictory address, the erstwhile governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, exuded utter satisfaction as he referred to himself as a magician, having accomplished so much during his eight-year tenure at the helm of affairs of the state. With an unflinching reliance on divine ingenuity, Ayade astutely navigated the choppy waters of governance in the face of the state’s meager federal allocation, which often stood at a paltry N800m.
“I am indeed a magician to have been able to govern the state exceptionally well, building over 14 industries, which I will still commission even after office alongside the new governor. I paid salaries monthly without fail”
With deep appreciation to the Almighty, he humbly acknowledges his ascent to power with robust health and sincerely bids farewell with a heart filled with tranquility and an unblemished state of well-being. He passionately implores for unwavering backing towards his successor.
“I call on all to give a thousand more support to Otu, where I succeeded, may Senator Otu succeed better; where I failed, may Otu succeed.
“I could have chosen any of my young commissioners but I chose Otu to succeed me because of his fine qualities and to pay him back for his support, he disclosed” Ayade appealed to Cross Riverians.
