Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has been honoured with the prestigious The Sun Governor of the Year award for 2025. The award was presented to him on 7 January 2026 at the Government House in Calabar.
Recognition for Development Strides
The management of The Sun Newspaper commended Governor Otu for what they described as his remarkable and people-centred development initiatives over his first two years in office. The Editor-in-Chief of The Sun, Mr Onouha Ukeh, led the newspaper's delegation to Calabar for the presentation.
Ukeh stated that the award followed a rigorous and independent assessment of the governor's performance since he assumed office. He emphasized that the newspaper had diligently tracked Otu's activities and was deeply impressed by the pace, scope, and quality of development under his leadership.
Landmark Projects Highlighted
During the ceremony, several key achievements of the Otu administration were highlighted as justification for the award. These landmark projects include:
- The remodelling of the Governor's Office.
- The construction of an ultra-modern state library.
- The development of a new botanical garden.
- The execution of numerous road projects across Cross River State.
Ukeh noted that these interventions speak to a pattern of deliberate governance and strategic investment in public infrastructure for the benefit of the people.
An Award for Impactful Leadership
Mr Ukeh explained that The Sun Governor of the Year award is conferred only on leaders whose contributions create a positive impact that resonates beyond their immediate domains. He stressed that the recognition is not merely ceremonial but celebrates resilience, excellence in public service, and tangible contributions to national development.
"Based on these indices, we found Governor Otu eminently deserving of The Sun Governor of the Year award," Ukeh declared.
Governor's Humble Response
In his response, Governor Bassey Otu expressed profound gratitude to God and to The Sun Newspaper for what he termed an objective and thorough evaluation of his administration's work. "I am deeply humbled to be found worthy of this honour," the Governor said.
He thanked the newspaper for taking the time to visit the nooks and crannies of Cross River State to see his government's projects firsthand. Otu reiterated that his administration's guiding philosophy remains service to the people, with every action aimed at positively impacting the lives of Cross Riverians.
"This recognition will gladden the hearts of our people because it affirms that our collective efforts are being noticed," he added.
Focus on Foundational Structures
Governor Otu concluded by stating that his government has focused on consolidating existing projects and laying down what he called "foundational and fundamental structures" for the sustainable development of Cross River State. He emphasized a deliberate approach to building with the future of the state's citizens in mind.
The event marks a significant endorsement of Governor Otu's policies and projects, positioning his tenure as one focused on tangible development and improved infrastructure for the people of Cross River.
