By Our Reporter
The Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Edet Otu, Edem Darlington has described the Think Cross River initiative as the governor’s “bold initiative for a new, better and more united Cross River State.”
In a chat with our reporter, Mr Darlington said “Think Cross River Initiative is a vision of the State Governor, Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu, birthed sometime around August, 2023 and eventually unveiled in May, 29, 2024 during the Governor’s one year in office celebration at the Calabar International Conference Center.
“The Governor, after sharing the vision with some of us, charged me to coordinate and drive the initiative in line with his ‘People First’ mandate.
“The objective of the Initiative is to unite Cross Riverians, both home and abroad, get citizen’s buy-in to the dreams and vision of the administration, promote patriotic spirit amongst citizens and encourage participation in public governance amongst several other good ideas that could promote the State.
“In the Think Cross River Initiative, we strive to bring back the spirit of patriotism to our dear State.
“We believe that if you positively think about Cross River, you will strive to make your environment a better place for the sake of your children.
“Just as our Governor said during the just concluded Diasporas Convention in United Kingdom, those who Think Cross River will come and invest in the State.
“If you think about Cross River, you will not vandalize government installations, if you think Cross River, you will not destroy your neighbour’s property, maim and kill. If you think Cross River, you’ll be your brother’s keeper.
“Think Cross River Initiative was conceptualized as a platform for citizens to see themselves as one and critical parts of government for the overall success of the Cross River project.”
Asked about the success of the initiative, Mr. Darlington said, “I believe our people are buying into this unique concept. For instance, in the past two years, we have experienced unprecedented peace in once turbulent areas of our State, and in fact we are regaining our most peaceful State status. Now, Cross River is gradually becoming the darling of every investor who actually wants to invest and make real profits.”
Mr Darlington explained further that the group had been carrying out sensitization campaigns as well as embarking on promotion of Cross River’s rich tourism potentials.
“From inception, we have been embarking on sensitization and advocacy programs in support of government activities, placement of billboards along major areas in the State, placement of jingles on national TV, newspapers and radio stations in the state, press conferences to educate citizens about government’s programs amongst others.
“It is our belief that our people will reciprocate what our Governor is doing to reinvent our State by thinking positively about what we can all contribute to make our State a better place for all of us,” Mr Darlington, who is versatile in advertising and media management, noted.
While urging all Cross Riverians to give the government the needed support and encouragement, he said: “When we reflect on how we want the State to be for the sake of posterity, we all would put hands on deck to ensure the Cross River state of our dream.”
He charged Cross Riverians to disregard some persons who go about peddling fake reports of being convenes or attorney of the initiative, insisting that being a state government program, birthed, promoted and driven within the life span of the current administration, the initiative is gradually being implemented in phases.
