By Magnus Effiong
Governor Bassey Otu has restated his determination, with the help of God, to take Cross River State to higher level.
Speaking at the Calabar International Conference centre, weekend, during a ‘Solemn Assembly’ with the theme ‘The Lord reigns,’ the Governor said:”Cross River State will rise and won’t be stopped. We are on a pedestal like never before.
“The life of every nation is to rise and fall. Cross River State was once there, we came down, but the Almighty God who says he reigns has said it is time for us to rise, and nobody can stop it!”
Highlighting the importance of unity, the Governor said “I have seen what we have achieved in two years, not by man, but totally divine intervention. What we want in the state is unity, and Cross River State will never remain the same.”
Also speaking at the event, the First Lady of the State, Bishop Dr (Mrs) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, said, “We are gathered here in a world where our nation and indeed the world is walking through difficult and uncertain seasons.
” It ranges from economic pressure and security and global unrest, moral confusion and natural disasters all around. Many hearts are burdened, and many lives feel shaken, yet in the midst of these all, we are reminded of the powerful and unchanging truth that, indeed, the Lord reigns.”
“And because God reigns, we have reasons to hope, rejoice, and rise regardless of what we are seeing around us. God’s rule is not affected by the instability we find around us, He reigns in righteousness and justice.”
The First Lady also took the opening charge from the book of Isaiah 9:6 and 60:22 reminding Cross Riverians that the government of Cross River State is on the shoulders of the Almighty God.
Wrapping up the event, the Chairman of the Planning Committee for the event, Rev. Fr. Bob Etta thanked the Governor, his wife, and his Deputy for the unwavering support enjoyed by the planning committee team throughout the entire process and lauded them for enthroning Jesus Christ as the Governor of the state.
The event was marked with song renditions, several bible readings, intercessory prayers, and the word.
Highpoint was the distribution of bibles to attendees and the verbal establishment of Jesus Christ as the Lord who reigns in Cross River State, by the Muri Munene/Paramount ruler of Efut Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam.
In attendance were, the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, the Wife of the Speaker, Mrs Nelly Ayambem, the State Government Secretary, Prof Owan Enoh, the Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar and his wife, Chairmen of Local Government Councils, and their constituents across the Local Government Areas, Commissioners, traditional rulers, among many others.
