Gov Otu honours predecessors, lights up christmas tree to usher in yuletide season

Governor Bassey Otu (m), former Governor Clement Ebri (3rd left), former Governor Donald Duke and wife Onari Duke (left), Liyel Imoke (3rd right), and Senator Ben Ayade and wife, Linda Ayade during the award and tree lighting ceremony.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, on Sunday night honoured his predecessors as he switched on the 2025 Christmas tree and festive lights at the Calabar Cenotaph, signalling the start of the Christmas season and a renewed spirit of unity and continuity in governance.

Addressing a colourful gathering of residents, artistes and dignitaries, Governor Otu said the event was not just about bright lights but about celebrating the leadership legacies that shaped the modern Cross River State.

He praised former Governor Clement Ebri as “the father of modern Cross River,” commending his achievements in agriculture, education, health and infrastructure. He also lauded Donald Duke for “redefining Cross River as Nigeria’s tourism capital,” with innovations such as the transformation of Obudu Ranch, creation of Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) and the birth of Carnival Calabar.

The governor further celebrated Senator Liyel Imoke for his “administrative excellence” and deep reforms in education, rural development and social welfare, while acknowledging Senator Ben Ayade for his industrialisation drive, innovation and political courage in repositioning the state at the national level.

“As we illuminate this city, we celebrate their visions and commit to building on them,” Otu said. “My team and I will continue to grow Cross River through human capital development, industrialisation, rural transformation and tourism.”

He urged citizens to embrace the season with hope: “May our faith shine as a beacon of renewal and prosperity.”

Former Governor Clement Ebri thanked Otu for sustaining a culture of honour, describing the gesture as uplifting.

Donald Duke, reflecting on the 20-year journey of Carnival Calabar, said the festival has remained a unifying symbol. “The beauty is that it brings all our peoples,diverse as we are, into one unique event where we celebrate ourselves,” he said.

Senator Liyel Imoke described the gathering as “heartwarming and nostalgic,” commending Otu for his rare commitment to continuity. “It is uncommon for a governor to look back, identify what is good and build on it. That spirit keeps institutions alive,” Imoke noted.

Former Governor Ben Ayade also applauded Otu for bringing all leaders together irrespective of political divides. “Today is about acknowledging that Sweet Prince Bassey Otu has shown the wisdom to unite us all, beyond party lines,” he said.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers.

She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay.

She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos.

As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender.

She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies.

Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category.

She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category.

She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations.

Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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