CROSSJOF Award: Jeddy Agba, Three Others Honoured, as Ogbeche canvasses for proactive governance
Oru Leonard
The Cross River State Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF) in Nigeria, on Thursday, November 28, 2019 honoured the Minister of State, Power and three other Cross River State indigenes, for outstanding performance and humanitarian services respectively.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, CROSSJOF, Gabriel Odu, said the event was designed to bring Cross Riverians together, and expressed delight that people have come to honor them with their presence in the maiden event.
Odu, who was represented by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Uket Ofem, said that CROSSJOF was carved out of the Akwa/Cross Journalist forum which had been in existence since 2001.
Mr Ofem pointed out that Cross Riverians are becoming a hopeless minority without people to speak for them, stating that as a forum CROSSJOF have approached their leaders, and are proud to have done their part to support their leaders from the state. He urged Cross River indegenes to fight for themselves as no body can fight for them.
In a paper presentation themed “Diversification of State Economy for Sustainable Democracy”, the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists FCT chapter, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche congratulated CROSSJOF on the event.
He however pointed out that Cross Riverians are not entirely hopeless, as they have made commendable strides as a people and as a state by having people in top positions at different levels, adding that they are a minority that need to forge greater synergy to take their rightful place in the country.
According to Ogbeche, “For us in CROSSJOF, I think it is a wake up call for us to assess where we are, where we want to be, how far away we traveled”.
He said there was need to hold the leaders accountable, harness the ICT, invest in our agricultural, mineral and other resources in order to make progress and compete favourably with other states and even do better. “We are brilliant by default but must harness the inherent potential as we have not done well in that regard”, he advised.
He challenged CROSSJOF to do things differently, noting that the state is blessed with eminent and qualified individuals and expressed hopes that the several Memorandum of Understanding Governor Ben Ayade has signed, would be realized before he leaves office so the state’s economy could be diversified.
The NUJ Chairman cautioned that if the Cross River State government continues in the manner of silencing dissenting voices, people will rebel. “No matter how many handcuffs you buy and how many people you take to court for criticizing government, it will not end.
“Our government has a duty to empower our people back home so we can enjoy the peace that comes with democracy. Democracy is not about poverty but prosperity. I believe that Cross River State will do right by its people”, he concluded.
Hon Goddy Agba, the Minister of State, Power, who was represented by his Political Adviser, Mr. James, said that he has the CROSSJOF at heart and expressed his solidarity in moving forward with the Forum.
Mr Goddy Jeddy Agba (OFR), Hon. Minister of State Power was awarded with Energy Development Personality of the year , Barr. Mary Ekpere-Eta, DG. Women Development Centre; Mrs Anthonia Ekpa PhD, Director Road Transport, Federal Ministry of Transportation (Road Policy Development Personality of the year); and Capt. Hart Modey PhD, C&I Leasing PLC (Personality of the year award).
