Otu Signs Bills Establishing Cross River State University of Education and Entrepreneurship, College of Agriculture into Law

• …as Exco Approves Five New Executive Draft Bills for Legislative Consideration

Calabar, Nigeria – Governor Bassey Otu, has signed into law two landmark bills establishing the Cross River State University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa and the Cross River State College of Agriculture in Obubra.

The two laws, officially titled the Cross River State University of Education and Entrepreneurship Law 2024 and the Cross River State College of Agriculture Law 2024, were signed during the State Executive Council meeting held at the chambers of the Traditional Rulers’ Council in Calabar on Wednesday.

In his address, Governor Otu emphasised that the appointment of governing councils and principal officers for both institutions will be prioritised in the coming weeks. He commended the leadership and members of the State House of Assembly for their expeditious review and passage of the bills, noting their steadfast collaboration with the executive arm.

The new State University of Education and Entrepreneurship succeeds the former State College of Education, Akamkpa, while the College of Agriculture in Obubra transitions from being a campus of the University of Cross River State, Calabar.

The Clerk of the State Legislature, Mrs Kate Ubi, Esq., and the Commissioner for Education, Senator Steven Odey, jointly presented the bills to Governor Otu for assent.

In addition to signing the two laws, the State Executive Council approved five executive draft bills for onward transmission to the State House of Assembly. These include Cross River State Roads Fund Law 2024, Cross River State Rural Access Roads Authority Law 2024, Cross River State Lotteries and Gaming Agency Law 2024, Cross River State Water User Association Law 2024, as well as the Amendment of the Cross River State Counterpart Fund Law 2024.

These draft bills, aimed at improving infrastructure, governance, and public services, are expected to undergo legislative review in the coming weeks.

Governor Otu expressed optimism that these legislative efforts would accelerate socio-economic development across the state.