Dignitaries at the inauguration on Thursday.
By Anietie Akpan
Aimed to deepen stakeholder’s engagement, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has unveiled an Elders Advisory Council.
Governor Otu on Thursday inaugurated the Elders Advisory Council of the Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSCF), a strategic body created to offer guidance and strengthen feedback channels for the state’s governance.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to participatory leadership, stressing that the establishment of the council reflects the government’s belief in the wisdom and experience of senior citizens.
“Governments that have this quality of advisors cannot fail, and will not fail,” Dr. Odey said, describing the Otu-led administration as “people-centred, an administration that believes in the people of Cross River State.”
The Deputy Governor also revealed that Governor Otu was unavoidably absent due to his firm commitment to the state’s ongoing asset recovery efforts.
“The Governor is out to reclaim all assets of Cross River State,” he stated, adding emphatically: “Let it be on record that our oil wells will be restored”, he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Consultative Forum, Barr. Eyo-Nsa Ekpo, explained that the Elders Advisory Council was created to sustain elite consensus across the state and galvanize support for the Governor’s second-term bid.
He further described the council as “a filter and feedback mechanism to monitor how government policies and projects impact the ordinary citizen.”
Barr. Ekpo also highlighted key achievements of the current administration, including the completion of over 200 kilometres of roads, employment of more than 8,000 citizens, and the recovery of Tinapa from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
In his inaugural address, former Governor Chief Clement Ebri, who serves as Chairman of the Elders Advisory Council, pledged total commitment to the task ahead. He expressed delight that the government values constructive advice, noting that the Deputy Governor’s assurances reflect genuine openness.
“I want to assure you that I am fully committed,” Chief Ebri said. “If we constitute a body here to go to Abuja, we will not feel inferior,” he added, underscoring the council’s national stature and capacity.
The inauguration also featured the unveiling of Coordinating Committees of the Consultative Forum across all 18 local government areas.
The event further witnessed the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Otu for second terms, as well as a celebration of Chief Ebri’s 73rd birthday.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Chief Johnson Ekpo (Central), Prof. Stephen Odey (North), and Etinyin Dr. Asuquo Ekpenyong (South).
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan-Enoh; Member representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba; Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, among others.
A cross section of guests at the ceremony.
Members of the Elders Advisory Council are:
NORTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICT
YALA LGA:
Rt. Hon. Larry Odey; Senator Prof. Stephen Odey; Prof. Michael Okom; Dr. Mrs. Stella Odey; High Chief Higgins Peters; Chief Mrs. Matina Odom.
OGOJA:
Rt. Hon. Gabriel Edi; Chief Wabilly Nyiam; Chief Peter Ojie; Mrs. Agatha Kanjal; Hon. Torita Odey; Chief Barth Onyi.
BEKWARRA:
Hon. Legor Idagbo; Chief Omang Idiege; Mr. Odey Ochicha; Barr. Cecilia Adams.
OBUDU:
HE Prof. Ben Ayade, CON; Chief P. J. Ekunke; Chief Tony Undiandeye; Dr. Mrs. Katrin Agba-Ajibeke.
OBANLIKU:
Ntufam Barr. Fidelis Ugbo; Mr. Dave Ashang; Hon. Tony Ushie; Dr. Mrs. Theresa Ikwen.
CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT
BOKI:
Chief Amb. Soni Abang; Hon. Cletus Obun; Hon. Sonny Chris Eta; Barr. Banku Agbor; Col. Paul Edor Obi.
IKOM:
Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, CON; Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem; Chief Chris Agara; Chief Mary Ekpere Eta.
ETUNG:
Col. Pam Ogar (Rtd.); Sen. John Owan-Enoh; Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh; Dr. Rose Nyambi; Prince Ebuta Ayuk; Ntufam Gabe Odu-Oji.
OBUBRA:
Hon. Alex Irek; Sir Alfred Mboto; Barr. Owa Owa; Mrs. Felicia Otubi Eyaba; Chief Ernest Irek; Chief Johnson Ebokpo.
YAKURR:
Chief Clement Ebri (Chairman); Sir Patrick Iwara; Chief Innocent Eteng; Mrs. Esther Bepeh; Chief Barr. Utum Eteng; Dr. Mbang Akpama.
ABI:
Chief Bolaji Anani; Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo; Dr. Betta Edu; Ekwele Egube.
SOUTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICT
BIASE:
Prof. Ivara Esu; Amb. Kate Okon; Rt. Hon. Alex Ukam; Elder Ogban Ekpei Ogban; Chief Ogbodim Ogbodim.
BAKASSI:
Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa; AIG Ene Ene Okon (Rtd); Hon. Dominic Aqua; Hon. Patrick Antigha Ene.
AKAMKPA:
Ntufam John Okon; Prof. Patrick Asuquo; Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo; Princess Titi Ndifon.
ODUKPANI:
Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong; Etinyin Asuquo Ekpenyong; Amb. Nya Asuquo; Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita; Dr. Ekpenyong Nsa; Dr. David Okon.
CALABAR MUNICIPALITY:
Ntufam Hilliard Etta; Ntufam Eyo Nsa Whiley; Ntufam Edim Inok; Nkoyo Otu.
CALABAR SOUTH:
Prof. Offiong E. Offiong; Engr. Effiong Bassey; Prof. Emmanuel Eyo; Elder Mrs. Christie Ise.
AKPABUYO:
High Chief Edem Duke; Etubom Bassey Ndem; Prof. Francisca Bassey; Hon. Patrick Ene Okon; Engr. Bassey Nkposong.
