The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Edet Otu, has extended a gesture of love and solidarity to the Muslim community in Calabar as they observe the holy month of Ramadan, through the donation of foodstuffs to Muslim widows.
The humanitarian outreach, facilitated by the state government, saw the distribution of essential food items to widows within the Muslim community, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to inclusiveness and compassion across religious lines.
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During the event, prayers were offered before the distribution of the items at the Calabar Central Mosque. Speaking to the congregation, the Chief Imam, Imam Akere Abdullafeez, urged Muslims to uphold values that promote peace and protect the image of the state. He cautioned against acts such as stealing, fighting, destruction of property, and other social vices that could lead to restrictions on their freedom.
The Imam also advised members of the Muslim community to remain peaceful and avoid protests amid ongoing tensions affecting their brothers in some eastern states. Instead, he encouraged them to continue praying for the state and its leadership, particularly Governor Otu, whom he commended for consistently showing love and support to the Muslim community.
While supervising the distribution of the foodstuffs, the Imam also urged representatives of the widows to ensure fairness and transparency in the allocation of the items within their respective communities. He expressed deep appreciation to Governor Otu and his wife for their continuous support to Muslims in the state, especially during the Ramadan season.
He further assured the governor that the Muslim faithful are committed to praying for the peace, growth, and prosperity of the state, including prayers for the restoration of the state’s oil wells and continued stability across Cross River.
Leaders of the Muslim women community also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the governor for his generosity, noting that he has consistently shown kindness and concern for their welfare over the years. One of the beneficiaries, a widow who received food items, emotionally thanked the governor for remembering women like them during Ramadan and offered prayers for God’s blessings and protection over his leadership.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, explained that the gesture was carried out on the directive of Governor Otu. He emphasized that the governor’s outreach to the Muslim community is not new, revealing that this marks about the fourth time the administration has extended such support.
Ekpang highlighted the strong relationship between Muslims and Christians in Cross River State, describing the state as one of the most peaceful in Nigeria due to the mutual respect and coexistence among different religious groups.
He also appreciated the Muslim community for their constant prayers and support for the governor’s leadership and acknowledged the humanitarian efforts of the governor’s wife, whose foundation has positively impacted many lives across the state.
As Cross River State celebrates Ramadan with Muslim widows, the government recognized the sacrifices and challenges faced by many widows, particularly those whose husbands may have died while serving the nation. The administration reaffirmed its commitment to supporting vulnerable groups across the state.
The state government noted that the outreach is not limited to a single mosque, as similar support has been extended to Muslim communities across the state. Governor Otu, the government assured, remains committed to ensuring that no group in the state is left behind.
