Otu anticipates improved devt, investment from indigenes in diaspora

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has declared that the state is on an upward trajectory, following weeks of strategic engagements with Cross Riverians in the Diaspora.

Speaking to journalists at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, upon his return on Friday from a convention of Cross River Indigenes in the Diaspora (CRID) in Birmingham, Otu said the meetings with the Diaspora community were aimed at strengthening synergy between citizens at home and abroad in line with the demands of a globalised world.

“I first had to meet with our people in the United States (U.S.); we had a good interface, and they were happy with what is going on at home. After that, I moved to the United Kingdom (UK) to meet with our diasporans there. We shared ideas and prospects. Cross River is on the proper track, and there is no stopping it,” he said.

The governor stressed that his administration is focused on consolidating the “building blocks” of development before politics takes centre stage”.

He noted that the state has already recorded gains in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, job creation, and improvements across key sectors, such as health, education, agriculture and infrastructure.

“Every sector you look at, we have added value,” Otu said, adding that the next quarter of the year would bring even greater improvements as opportunities are maximised.

On receiving the prestigious Mayor of Birmingham’s Award during his trip, the governor said the honour was for all Cross Riverians, reflecting the respect the state now commands internationally. “It adds to the building blocks of where we are taking the state,” he said.

Also speaking, the First Lady, Bishop (Mrs) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, said her engagements with women in the diaspora had rekindled hopes for increased collaboration in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and youth empowerment.

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