Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has announced the resumption of bursary payments to Cross River students in tertiary institutions, alongside the introduction of special grants for medical students. This initiative is part of his administration's renewed commitment to education, human capital development, and the future of the state.
Announcement at Executive Council Meeting
The governor made the announcement during the State Executive Council meeting held in Calabar on Friday. He addressed members on the administration's next phase of governance, political engagement, and developmental priorities. Speaking passionately about strengthening investment in young people, Governor Otu declared that no Cross River student should be forced to abandon academic aspirations due to financial hardship. He noted that the intervention marks the return of educational support schemes that had remained dormant for over a decade.
"In line with our commitment to invest in the future of Cross River State, I am pleased to announce that my administration will resume the payment of bursaries to Cross River students in tertiary institutions in the coming months," the Governor stated. "Additionally, we will introduce special grants for our medical students to support their training and ease the financial burden of their studies. This intervention had not happened in over a decade. It is our way of reaffirming that education remains a top priority, and that no Cross River student should be forced to abandon their dreams due to financial constraints."
Broader Policy Direction
The announcement drew widespread applause as one of the major highlights of the Council meeting. The Governor also unveiled a broader policy direction focusing on revitalizing critical sectors including health, education, and power. He acknowledged that while the administration had recorded notable strides since assuming office in May 2023, there remained areas requiring renewed commitment and strategic attention. "I must acknowledge the fact that we may not have performed to the level of our expectation in some sectors. As a result, we shall renew our energies and attention to new areas of focus, namely: Health, Education and Power, among others," he said.
Appreciation and Oil Wells Struggle
The governor used the occasion to appreciate members of the State Executive Council for their resilience, patience, and dedication to governance. He paid glowing tribute to the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, for what he described as effective leadership and stability. "I must specially thank His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, for ably standing in for me during my period of absence," the Governor said. He stressed that one of the most critical assignments undertaken was the sustained pursuit of the restoration of Cross River State's oil wells, describing the battle as intense, strategic, and central to the economic future of the state. "One of the most important assignments I undertook was to keep up with the spirited struggles for the recovery of our oil wells. This very vexed issue requires daily follow-ups in Abuja and it is not an issue that should be ignored at all," he declared. "A struggle of that magnitude demands our every attention, consultations with stakeholders and of course, those who will assist us in recovering our God-given resources."
In a vivid metaphor, Governor Otu likened the forces resisting the state's efforts to "wounded lions," insisting that Cross River would ultimately emerge victorious. "It is a spirited struggle against already established odds and we are confronting wounded lions, not mere galloping antelopes, but I can confidently assure you that at the end of the negotiations and resolution of the issues concerned, Cross River State will have cause to smile again as an oil-bearing state in Nigeria," he said.
Political Activities and Project Commissioning
As political activities gather momentum nationwide, the Governor directed Commissioners and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to immediately forward comprehensive scorecards of their stewardship to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government ahead of the administration's third anniversary. He expressed dissatisfaction that only three MDAs had complied with the earlier directive. "With the formal commencement of political activities in the country, I want to use this opportunity to remind all Commissioners and Directors-General of the last directives for them to forward their charts of achievements in the past years to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the State for proper coordination," he stated.
Governor Otu disclosed that his administration would soon commence inspection and commissioning of completed projects across the eighteen local government areas, while simultaneously unveiling new blueprints and groundbreaking initiatives in some communities. "We shall also use the opportunity to present a blueprint as well as undertake the groundbreaking of projects in some Local Government Areas that have not had a good share of development projects so far," he said. "As we approach the electorate and ask for their votes once again, it is only expected that we, as an administration, show them our stewardship in the past three years and where we intend to take the state to in the years ahead."
Grassroots Engagement and Recruitment Controversy
The governor charged political appointees and members of the Executive Council to deepen grassroots engagement through regular consultations, community visits, and direct interaction with citizens. "Consequently, I expect all Commissioners and other political appointees to step up their connections with the people at the grassroots through assistance, home visits, meetings and other forms of interactions," he said. "All these will necessarily pave the way for seamless political activities and assurances of electoral successes and victories."
On the controversial recruitment exercise into the Unified Local Government Service, Governor Otu reiterated his administration's zero tolerance for abuse of due process and misconduct in public service. He recalled that following widespread complaints and public outrage, government dissolved the leadership of the Commission and constituted a five-member panel of inquiry to investigate the matter. "Government noticed a serious breach of directives in the recruitment of staff of the Unified Local Government Service. Following this, the Chairman and Members of the Commission were relieved of their duties," he stated. The panel was mandated to review the procedures surrounding the recruitment process, audit payroll structures across the eighteen local government areas, and recommend disciplinary measures where necessary. "The Panel, according to him, is to, among other things, review the propriety and procedures that shaped the recruitment exercise, scrutinize and audit Local Government payrolls to ascertain the true position of expenditure in the 18 Local Government Areas and to recommend disciplinary action, among others," he explained.
The Governor maintained that the action became imperative due to "relentless complaints and unbearable public outcry" surrounding the exercise. "For the umpteenth time, I must reiterate that our administration is on a redemptive mission in the state," he declared. "Government therefore intends to be very hard on anyone found guilty in the mess that occurred in the Local Government Service Commission. This threw a pall of dark light on our administration, by collecting monies from unemployed young Cross Riverians, against our People First Philosophy."
Governor Otu also called on members of the Executive Council to maintain discipline, accountability, and balance between governance responsibilities and political activities. "Please remain committed to the realization of the mandate of your various MDAs and ultimately, the overall goals of this administration. You are hereby urged to strike a balance between your official duties and the realm of politics so that none suffers unduly," he admonished.
