The Editor of the Nigerian Chronicle, Comrade Oka Ibor, has been honoured with the 2025 Cross River State Government Best Service Award.
Ibor received the award certificate and service medal from the Secretary to the Government of Cross River State, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, during the celebration of Civil/Public Service Day at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Obol (Dr.) Innocent Eteng, described the day as one set aside to celebrate the sacredness of the civil service. He explained that the awards were meant to recognise civil servants who have demonstrated hard work, excellence, and commitment to service delivery. Eteng urged the awardees to see the honour as a call to greater service.
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He also commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for his dedication to workers’ welfare, citing the recruitment of over 2,000 civil servants, approval of ₦70,000 minimum wage, and the introduction of the Retirement Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI), which awarded ₦500,000 grants to 500 beneficiaries.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Governor Otu expressed gratitude to the state workforce for their commitment, assuring that all outstanding promotions would be implemented and that a second tranche of gratuities for retirees would soon be paid.
Prof. Enoh, while addressing civil servants, stressed the need for unity and mutual respect in order to achieve efficient service delivery. “Government can provide salaries, offices, and incentives, but without happiness and love among workers, the system cannot function effectively,” he noted.
In his lecture, the Guest Speaker, Rev. Fr. Bob Etta, urged civil servants to see their service as a contribution to God’s creation through daily activities.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates and service medals to deserving awardees, with Comrade Oka Ibor standing out as one of the distinguished honourees.
