A SOLIDARITY MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR (PRINCE) BASSEY EDET OTU, GOVERNOR OF CROSS RIVER STATE, ON THE COMMEMORATION OF WORKERS’ DAY
PROTOCOL:
My dear brothers and sisters in labour,
On this glorious day, when the first sun of May rises with golden splendour over the lush hills and tranquil waters of our beloved Cross River State, I stand before you, not just as your Governor, but as your brother, your comrade, your fellow citizen, and your humbled servant, to pay tribute to the very soul of our society: you, the workers of Cross River State.
International Workers’ Day is far more than a public holiday marked by dates and declarations. It is a sacred tribute to the indomitable spirit of our workers, the spirit that wakes before dawn, that endures in silence, that shapes the visible and invisible foundations of our state. It is a celebration of sacrifice, of discipline, of purpose. And nowhere is that spirit more vibrant, more determined, and more beautiful than in the hearts of the people of Cross River State.
From the chalk-stained blackboards of our classrooms to the quiet corners of hospital wards, from the intricate spreadsheets in our ministries to the roar of markets and the hum of sewing machines in every LGA, the fingerprints of our workforce are everywhere. You are the unseen architects of our advancement. You are the engine room that drives the machinery of governance, commerce, service, and community. You are the heartbeat of Cross River.
Permit me, on behalf of a grateful government and an even more grateful people, to say: thank you.
Thank you for your devotion in times of plenty and in seasons of scarcity.
Thank you for your loyalty to the dream of a greater Cross River, even when the path has been uneven.
Thank you for believing in this administration, not merely out of political alignment, but out of a shared vision for equity, dignity, and prosperity for all.
Let us pause a moment to reflect on the true weight of this moment. For the story of labour is not just about tools and tasks; it is about people. It is about the teacher who rides a motorcycle under the scorching sun of Bekwarra to get to her pupils. It is about the mechanic in Ikom who trains his apprentices not just in craft but in character. It is about the nurse in Calabar who gives care with nothing but compassion and a prayer when resources fall short. It is about the street cleaner whose broom sweeps not just dust but disorder from our streets. These are not just workers; these are the unsung heroes of our time.
And as your Governor, I feel the gravity of your expectations. I feel the urgency of your cries for better welfare package, timely promotions, reliable pensions, and an environment that dignifies your noble labour. You have not asked for handouts; you have asked for fairness. You have not demanded privilege; you have asked for recognition. And I give you my solemn assurance: you are heard. You are seen. You matter.
That is why, from the first day of this administration, we have prioritized the revival and strengthening of the public service architecture. We have re-established the dignity of timely salary payments, reactivated stalled promotions, and commenced the painful yet necessary task of clearing backlogs and gratuity burdens that had long become shadows over the lives of our retirees. We are reforming the structure, not just the surface. We are not chasing applause—we are chasing sustainability.
But this celebration is not just about the past, it is about the horizon before us.
We are entering a new era, a time where technology, innovation, and global shifts will redefine how we work, live, and grow. And in that unfolding era, the strength of our workforce must be not only its loyalty but also its literacy, its creativity, its adaptability. That is why this administration is investing in digital literacy programmes, workforce training, and renewed emphasis on merit-based progression. We must not just be busy, we must be brilliant. We must not only work harder, we must work smarter.
To our unions and labour leaders, I salute your wisdom, your tenacity, and your ceaseless advocacy. You have been more than negotiators, you have been the conscience of conscience. While our dialogues have sometimes been robust, they have always been rooted in mutual respect and a shared desire for the common good. Let us continue this journey of partnership, hand in hand, not as adversaries, but as allies.
To our youth entering the workforce, I say this: the dignity of labour is not in its glamour, but in its honour. There is no shame in humble beginnings, no dishonour in honest work. Whether behind a desk or beneath the sun, in suit or in sandals, let your work be your signature, and your integrity, your legacy.
To the women of our workforce, our mothers, daughters, sisters, who balance work with nurturing, service with sacrifice, and still rise each morning with unyielding grace, I offer a double portion of praise. Your labour, often uncelebrated, is the glue of both home and state. Know that this administration sees you, values you, and is committed to ensuring your rights, safety, and aspirations are protected and fulfilled.
And to our senior citizens, those who have given their best years to the service of our beloved state, this government remains committed to ensuring that your retirement is not a sentence, but a season of rest, dignity, and appreciation.
On this Workers’ Day, as the sun rises and the drums beat in celebration, let us renew our commitment, not only to our jobs, but to one another. Let us commit to excellence, to discipline, to unity. Let us reject the culture of mediocrity and embrace the fire of innovation. Let us prove that in Cross River, work is not just an activity, it is a calling.
As your Governor, I pledge once more that I will walk with you, work with you, and build with you. We will rise together. We will overcome together. We will shine together.
May God bless the workers of Cross River State.
May God bless every home touched by your labour.
May our hands remain strong, our spirits unbreakable, and our dreams unstoppable.
Happy Workers’ Day, Cross River State!
Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu
Governor, Cross River State
Governor Otu’s 2025 Worker’s Day speech
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