By Nsa Gill
Yesterday;Tuesday, August 12th, Cross River State Government led by our ever dependable Governor Bassey Edet Otu played host to Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at a historic line-up of events, all in a single day.
The visit began with the official commissioning of two newly acquired Bombardier CRJ1000 regional jets (100-seat capacity each) for use by the state-owned airline, Cally Air — a significant step toward boosting air transport, tourism, and economic connectivity in the state. This was followed by the commissioning of the remodeled and fully digitalized Cross River State Library Complex, which also houses the Cross River State ICT Hub, bringing knowledge access and innovation into the digital age for our citizens.
The day concluded with the 8th Expanded MSME Clinic at CICC, designed to empower small businesses and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cross River.
The Vice President noted that this was part of the Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to bringing the Federal Government’s support directly to the doorsteps of businesses across the country. Speaking during the launch of the MSME Clinic in Calabar, Senator Kashim Shettima commended His Excellency, Senator Bassey Otu, for his drive and efforts in positioning Cross River State on the right map.
He also announced the disbursement of ₦250,000 unconditional grants each to outstanding business owners in the state as part of ongoing efforts to support MSMEs nationwide.
Governor Bassey Edet Otu, in his remarks, noted that beyond agriculture, the state is positioning itself as both a strong MSME hub and a digital hub for the young and vibrant population of Cross River.
These milestones mark another bold step forward as we continue building a stronger, smarter, and more connected Cross River.
Mr Nsa Gill is the Special Adviser to Gov Bassey Otu on Public Affairs.
