The birthday bells is ringing loud in Cross River as the Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSCF) hosts a celebration fit for a star, honouring Governor Bassey Otu’s journey from grassroots politics to a legacy of free WAEC fees, revived Tinapa, and agricultural revolution. Sunday, 18 October 2026, iss no ordinary day in the state as the Forum, family, friends and the entire Cross River populace rolls out the red carpet for a leader whose “People First” mantra has become the toast of the state.
In a star-studded tribute signed by Chairman Hon. Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo and Secretary Dr. Julius Ochim Okputu, the CRSCF described the governor as a dynamic and visionary leader whose administration has delivered steady transformation. The Forum’s scorecard read like a grand entertainment programme, with infrastructure taking the opening act: hundreds of kilometres of roads constructed and rehabilitated, long-abandoned projects completed, and rural access roads prioritised in a bold move to connect the grassroots to the centre stage of development.
The health sector was next on the bill, and the CRSCF did not hold back the applause. A doubled budgetary allocation, the revitalisation of over 100 primary healthcare centres, the recruitment of more than 2,000 health professionals, and the introduction of free maternal and child care services were reeled out as headline achievements. Education followed with its own standing ovation — the consistent payment of WAEC fees for tens of thousands of indigenous students between 2024 and 2026 and the establishment of new tertiary institutions — while the agricultural revolution under Project GROW, with its mini-tractors, improved seedlings, crop-specific clusters and offtake agreements, was hailed as a show-stopping performance.
But the grand finale came in the economic revitalisation drive, which the Forum said has restored the state’s pride of place. The successful recovery of Tinapa Business and Resort, the expansion of Cally Air, progress on the Obudu Cargo Airport, the focused advancement of the Bakassi Deep Seaport, and the ongoing efforts to reenlist Cross River as an oil-producing state were all celebrated as evidence of a governor who thinks big and delivers big. The CRSCF also tipped its hat to Otu’s broader vision of a secured and peaceful state, human capital development, agricultural transformation, tourism revival and the blue economy, which it said continues to inspire hope and chart a clear path toward shared prosperity.
As the celebrations reaches its crescendo, the Forum offers prayers for renewed strength, sound health, greater wisdom and divine favour, wishing the governor a new year filled with joy, peace and outstanding success in the service of the people.
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