Gov. Bassey Otu displaying his award from the Silver-bird Group.while Ben Murray Bruce (right) the CEO of the group and others watch in admiration.
By Anietie Akpan
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has hailed Governor Bassey Otu’s transformational leadership as he bagged yet another well-deserved recognition as Man of the Year by the Silver-bird Group.
Edu in a statement on Monday, March 2, said, only three weeks ago, Otu was honoured as Governor of the Year by The Sun Newspapers.
On the same day, he was also conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Modibbo Adama University in Yola, Adamawa State and earlier in 2025, he also received another Governor of the Year Award from Daily Independent Newspapers.
These honours, Edu said, “clearly reflect the visible strides recorded under your purposeful leadership in Cross River State.
“Within a short period in office, your administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to human capital development, recognizing that the true wealth of any state lies in its people”.
Through strategic investments in education, youth empowerment, healthcare delivery, and skills development, she said “thousands of young people are being equipped with opportunities for productivity and self-reliance.
“The strengthening of technical training initiatives, support for small businesses, and renewed attention to primary healthcare systems are already improving livelihoods across both urban and rural communities.
“Your leadership has also brought a refreshing wave of unity and inclusiveness across Cross River State”.
By promoting a governance style that rises above political, ethnic, and sectional differences, the former Minister said, “you have restored confidence in collective progress.
“The People First philosophy has helped rebuild trust between government and citizens while encouraging cooperation among stakeholders across the three senatorial districts.
“This renewed atmosphere of peace and shared identity remains critical for sustainable development and investment growth”.
Furthermore, she said the governor’s administration’s focus on economic revitalization, through agricultural expansion, tourism repositioning, infrastructure improvements, and investor engagement, signals a clear roadmap toward long-term prosperity.
According to her, “communities are witnessing renewed government presence, while policies are increasingly aligned with job creation and social stability.
“These recognitions are therefore not merely ceremonial; they are reflections of measurable progress and the hope your leadership continues to inspire.
“I am confident that your dedication to human capital development, unity, and inclusive governance will further reposition Cross River State as a model of purposeful leadership in Nigeria”.
