… gives automatic employment to ex-corps member
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has called on traditional and opinion leaders of Yala Local Government Area of the state to foster healthier communal ties, peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness as his administration bids to explore the area’s huge agriculture potential as well as reposition it to its once reputed place as the food basket of the state, nay Nigeria.
The governor made the call recently when he received a delegation from the Yala speaking people of Yala Local Government Area, led by their Paramount Ruler, Ogamode Clement Onah Ipuole, in Calabar.
Speaking of his administration’s commitment to return the renowned Okuku MMarket in Yala to a thriving local commodity hub of international standard, Governor Otu assured the delegation that “we will open up roads for ease of transportation of goods from the interior communities to the urban areas and markets.
“We want the cooperation of our traditional authorities to nib the avoidable records of communal clashes and other disputes in the bud.”
He noted that the state was carrying out proper reforms to make sure that agriculture is well positioned as the mainstay of Cross River State’s economy, saying security and other structures that would entrench sanity in the area are being put in place.
The governor promised to carefully look at requests made by the delegation with the view of uplifting the living standard of the Yala people, and expressed optimism that in the near future when the envisioned Okuku Commodity Market becomes a reality, the state government would definitely make areas like Okpoma and Okuku urban towns as the agricultural potentials of the area have all the trappings to make Yala an urban and commercial nerve centre in the northern part of the state.
In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler, Ogamode Clement Onah Ipuole, said the Yala speaking people in Yala Local Government Area were in the governor’s office to identify with him and show solidarity in his leadership.
Ogamode Ipuole, who was represented by Ogamode Odaji Ipuole, stated that “we have come here to assure him that we will continue to work with him, stand by him at all times and support him all through his tenure as the governor of Cross River State.”
The Royal Father drew the attention of the governor to teething challenges bothering the area, some of which he mentioned to include: access roads linking the various communities, lack of potable water, etc.
In appreciation of hard work, the Cross River governor granted Miss Arit Abam, an ex-corps member, automatic employment in the state civil service for honouring her father’s sacrifices to give her higher education.
Miss Arit Anam returned to her father’s thatch house in their village and filmed herself marching towards him; with a military-style salute, she thanked her father and handed over both her NYSC jacket and face-cap to him.
She posted the video on social media, with a touching note of gratitude and a charge to youths not to be ashamed of their humble backgrounds, which eventually went viral.
Recall that Governor Umo Enoh of Akwa Ibom State, touched by Arit’s expression of gratitude and the story of the father’s sacrifice to see his child through school, recently sent a delegation to Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State for some background check. Upon the team’s verification of the story, Mr. Eno pledged to build a three-bedroom flat for Mr Abam and family as recognition of his sacrifices.
Governor Bassey Otu lauded Governor Umo Enoh’s gesture towards Arit Abam – an exemplary young Cross Riverian, noting that it confirms the bond between the two sister states.
He hosted Arit in his office where he charged youths in Cross River State and beyond to emulate such acts he described as “worthy of reward.”
A graduate of Mass Communication from Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, Arit expressed thanks to Governor Otu for his magnanimity, which she sees as an encouragement toward maintaining cultural standards and values, while acknowledging God for earning goodwill through a simple act of gratitude.
Governor Otu gave Miss Arit the privilege to choose any ministry, department or agency she would prefer to work within the state civil service.
The Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Professor Owan Enoh and the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Bishop Margaret Ene-Ita were both mandated to reach out to the ex-corps member, which they did.
