28 May 2017
As the state join other league of city states that were created on May 27th 1967 from the former Eastern region of Nigeria by the General Yakubu Gowon led regime, I wish to heartily felicitate with our dear state on the occasion of her 50th Anniversary. Indeed we have come of age in various aspects of our growth and development and have over the years strive to keep pace with other states in the scheme of things.
However, on this occasion of Cross River at 50, I wish to call on the administration of Gov. Ben Ayade to put in place a policy framework for a technologically driven system as well as implement an effective tax system that will help restore our pride of place as the tourism hub of the nation.
For us as a state to be prosperous in future, concerted efforts must be geared towards equipping our youths with technological and educational skills that can be used to provide solutions to the numerous challenges currently plaguing us.
We must also take a holistic look at the ease of doing business and our tourism sector. Power and water supply should be given a boast if we intend to make progress as a state. Indeed you will agree with me that we have not had it this bad before where even the state capital will be in dire need of water supply.
I therefore call on the authority to with a matter of urgency, think, plan and implement an action plan that can restore sanity to the power as well as water supply sub-sector in the state.
I want to specifically commend the organisers of the Profiles and Biographies event for finding President Buhari worthy of the "Life Time Achievement Award" as part of the activities to commemorate the state at 50. Indeed Mr. President has imprinted the state in gold through the appointment of many eminent sons and daughters of the state to different positions of authority in his administration; the first of its kind. We are very grateful for these special favours.
I also wish to seize this opportunity to call on the state government to focus more on adopting policies and programmes that will have direct impact and bearing on members of the state instead of venturing into gigantic projects which are exclusively in the purview of the federal government like the acclaimed superhighway, green police among others.
We have not had it this bad before that while other state governors are commissioning roads, and other developmental projects that have direct bearing on their people, we are celebrating rebranding of logos and signing of uncountable MOUs as part of our achievements as a government. I urge the administration of Gov. Ben Ayade to have a rethink and channel most of his energy towards implementing policies that will touch the lives of our people.
Finally, Cross River is greater than any party or individual. Let us therefore eschew malice, hatred, egoistic tendencies, alliances and hypocrisy and join hands and hearts with one another in moving our dear state forward. Moving forward is better for our dear state and for all of us.
Long Live Cross River State; and
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
Odey Ochicha
Chairman;
Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic;
Ille-Uju, Ondo State.
