CALABAR – The Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), South-South Zone (Zone F), Comrade Opaka Dokubo, has said governance is working in Cross River State, citing ongoing investments in tourism, education and media infrastructure as evidence of the state’s development under Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
Dokubo made the remarks on Friday after leading members of the South-South leadership of the NUJ on an inspection of key government projects in Calabar ahead of the union’s zonal meeting.
He said the delegation was impressed by the quality of projects executed by the state government, describing Cross River as one of the few states where the dividends of democracy are visible.
“We can boldly say that here governance truly works in Nigeria. There are not very many states like Cross River because we have seen it for ourselves. What we have seen, we can testify that truly there is governance here,” he said.
According to him, the delegation observed significant progress in the state’s efforts to revive its tourism sector, noting that Cross River was gradually reclaiming its reputation as Nigeria’s premier tourism destination.
He said projects such as the ongoing Blake Calabar Resort reflected the government’s commitment to repositioning tourism and restoring the state’s image as “the People’s Paradise.”
“We have seen the resurgence of what Cross River, indeed Calabar, has actually been known for—a place of peace, a place where everybody truly belongs. We can say the glory days are returning for Cross River,” Dokubo stated.
The NUJ vice president also commended the remodelling of the Cross River State Library, describing the facility as a world-class educational infrastructure that would strengthen learning and knowledge development in the state.
“If you talk about education and you are not talking about the library, then you are missing the fulcrum of education anywhere in the world. What we have seen today is a world-class facility,” he said.
Dokubo further praised the ongoing rehabilitation of the Chronicle Newspapers complex, describing the project as a major investment in the media sector.
He noted that the newspaper, established in 1974, remains one of Nigeria’s iconic state-owned publications and expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work at the complex, which was damaged during the EndSARS protests.
“We are very happy and satisfied with the quality and pace of work ongoing at the Chronicle Newspapers. We are looking forward to being invited for the official commissioning because truly the Chronicle is returning to reckoning,” he said.
The zonal NUJ leader said the projects demonstrated the importance the state government attached to the media, adding that no government could remain close to the people without maintaining a productive relationship with journalists.
He also commended the cordial relationship between the Cross River State Government and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, describing journalists in the state as among the best professionals in the country.
While acknowledging that there was still room for improvement, Dokubo urged the government to sustain the momentum in project delivery and continue investing in sectors that directly impact the lives of citizens.
“For the three years of this administration, we, on behalf of the National Secretariat and journalists in the South-South, can say that something good is happening here. Democracy is indeed at work in Cross River State,” he said.
