Tag: #Peter Odey

The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, has indicated that the sterling performance of the carnival bands in the Ogoja Carnival are a clear indication that it could compete with and become better than the Calabar Carnival in the near future. Rt. Hon. Peter Odey made the statement during the maiden edition of the Ogoja Carnival today, Saturday, 23rd December, 2023, shortly after the 5 carnival bands displayed at the first adjudication centre along Mission Road, Igoli, Ogoja.

Rt. Hon. Odey who envisioned a future where the Ogoja Carnival will not just be a local celebration but a renowned event that rivals the Calabar Carnival, appreciated the wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Rev. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, for ensuring that the Ogoja Carnival was a reality.

Traditionally, the Calabar Carnival has been the epitome of celebratory events in the Nigeria, drawing crowds from far and wide. However, a shift has been witnessed in this year’s Festival Calendar with the introduction of the Ikom and Ogoja Carnivals by the Sen. Prince Bassey Otu administration, offering a local alternative that takes the essence of the festive season from the capital city to other parts of the state.

According to an Elder Statesman from Northern Cross River, Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, people from both the Northern and Central parts of the state have long yearned to experience the carnival spirit within their own communities. He thanked Rt. Hon. Peter Odey for his instrumental role in bringing the Ogoja Carnival to realization.

The Ogoja Carnival which featured five competing bands (Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade’s Band, Hon. Peter Odey’s Band, Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo’s Band, Sen. Steve Odey’s Band and Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbor’s Band) and one non-competing band, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu’s Band, witnessed the distinguished participation of Honourable Members of the House of Assembly, all State Executive Council Members from the north, political office holders, traditional rulers and residents who were all optimistic about the potential of the carnival becoming a cultural landmark that will draw participation from a broader audience.

The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, and his entourage, on Sunday, 10th December, 2023, made a stop at the St. Eugene Roman Catholic Parish in Ochon (Obubra LGA) where he joined other worshippers to thank God for a new week.

Rt. Hon. Odey, who was on his way back from the funeral of Mrs. Janet Ateb (Née Ayade), used the opportunity to support his old friend, the parish priest, Rev. Fr Christian Ihemase.

Hon. Odey was accompanied on the visit by the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. Alphonsus Eba, member representing Ogoja State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Thomas Aruku, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, former Commissioner for Industries, Mr. Peter Egba, the Head of Personal Staff to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Chris Ojikpong, amongst other dignitaries.

The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Hon Peter Odey, today, 2nd November 2023, welcomed Mr. Agbor Joseph Ejini popularly known as ‘Joe Sweet’ in his office with a cash gift of N1m.

Odey celebrated Mr. Ejini for the great feat of walking from Obudu to Calabar as a show of solidarity and celebration of the emergence of Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu and Peter Odey as Governor and Deputy Governor, respectively.

The native of Utugwang in Obudu Local Government Area of the State, who is a musician and skitmaker, had composed songs used in the gubernatorial campaign and promised that he would walk from Obudu to Calabar if His Excellency Sen. Prince Bassey Otu and Rt. Hon. Peter Odey emerged as winners.

Speaking after his meeting with the Deputy Governor, Mr Ejini said “I have never been so happy in my life. I thank the Deputy Governor for acknowledging what I have done and for gifting me the sum of One Million Naira. I pray that God will bless him and give him wisdom”. He added that he would use the cash gift to upgrade his musical career and create opportunities for youths in his locality.

It would be recalled that the artist who embarked on a seven-day journey on foot from Obudu to Calabar from Wednesday, 18th October, arrived Calabar on Tuesday 24th October, 2023. Joe Sweet, the passionate supporter of the new administration was received by the Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, on behalf of the Governor, Send. Prince Bassey Otu.

The artist, on arrival in Calabar, presented both the Governor and his deputy with portraits as well as a victory song he recorded in their honor.

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The Youth-friendly Deputy Governor of CRS, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, declared open the Cross River State Agricultural Youth Summit on Thursday, 26th October,2023, with the theme: “Back to Land”.

In his opening remarks presented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr. Odum-Ijom Ukam, Rt. Hon Odey commended the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Cross River State Chapter for their visionary strides in empowering the youth of the state.

Odey, who opined that Cross River State presents a plethora of opportunities within various agricultural value chains, including rice, cassava, fisheries, poultry and palms among others, said the Prince Bassey Otu-led state government is committed to igniting a passionate drive for agricultural innovation and sustainability among the vibrant youth population in the State. The Deputy Governor said the restructuring of the Ministry of Agriculture into two specialized entities – Ministry of Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development – was to ensure that every aspect of agriculture receives the requisite investment, attention and expertise for optimal growth and prosperity.

He called on the youths to see the summit as a valuable contribution by NYCN to the steadfast commitment of the State and as a pivotal platform not only for knowledge sharing and fostering innovation, but also for strengthening collaborative efforts in the pursuit of a robust and sustainable agricultural landscape for the future of youths and Cross River State. He encouraged them further to actively participate, engage and contribute as well as draw from the wealth and experiences that the esteemed lineup of speakers and panelists will provide so as to pave the way for a dynamic and progressive agricultural sector in the State.

In his address earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Innocent Ogban, called on the youths to go back to land and produce more food for the State and the nation through technology. According to him, “if you embrace technology, your fingers can do wonders for you. We cannot all be governors, senators, ministers or public office holders. However, we can all make use of the abundant resources which are distributed across the State to create wealth”.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Owan Enoh, who was also a guest at the Summit, remarked that the excitement that he felt when he was invited to a gathering by youths to talk about no other thing but agriculture was enormous. He, however, advised that a structure should be adopted for the way forward beyond the talk. He called on youths with the intellectual capacity and knowledge in technology to apply their skills to access capital and loans in order to build a thriving agricultural sector that will create a bridge to connect with those in the villages. He expressed hope that the summit will bring up approaches that will ensure that people in Cross River do not produce food and sell off to those who will process our products and make huge profits while Cross River remains poor.

The event was marked by paper presentations and panel discussions by specialists from diverse agricultural sectors.

Other dignitaries who were present at the occasion included the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, Jr, and representatives of the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mike Odere, Zenith Bank Plc and AA Universal

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It was with pomp and pageantry that the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, was received by his kinsmen in ldum kingdom, Mbube, Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State on the 14th of October,2023.

The grand reception organized by his family, the lkikienkpong family, drew the crème de la crème of the Cross River State political class, traditional rulers, friends and the entire Mbube people.

Speaking for the lkikienkpong family, Engr. Chief David Abang said they have invited Rt. Hon. Odey and friends to come back home and share a moment of joy and happiness with them. They seized the opportunity to thank the Executive governor of Cross River State, Sen.Prince Bassey Otu for finding their son worthy to be his Deputy. Not wanting to bother him with a mirage of request, the people requested for an educational endowment fund, the completion of the long standing Help of The Sick Hospital and a Skill Acquisition center for their steaming youths.

The Paramount Ruler, thanked Mbube people for their solidarity, especially the ldum people and the Ikikienkpong family for deeming it necessary to organize the reception in honour of their illustrious son. He advised Rt. Hon. Odey to stand for his people and Cross Riverians as a whole.

Rt. Hon. Odey who noted that this was his first visit after assuming office as deputy governor said he was very happy to be home. He acknowledged his family, friends and the entire Mbube people for the grand reception in his honor while recognizing his political friends who accompanied him to the event.

Odey assured the Mbube people that having seen the state of their roads and the hospital where he made a brief stop, he will make sure that work commences soon. He solicited the continuous prayers of the people for the success of the Sen. Prince Bassey Otu led administration.

Highlights of the event were the blessing of the Deputy Governor by all the chiefs present, presentation of gift and entertainment from several dance troops.

The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, has assured the 13th Brigade of the Nigerian Army of the State government’s commitment to support the Nigerian Army.

Senator Bassey Otu, who was ably represented by his Deputy Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, made this remark at the flag-off of Exercise Still Water lll 2023 held today at the Step Up Headquarters lkang, Bakassi LGA, Cross River State.

Odey extended greetings from the peace-loving people of Cross River State to the Commander 13th Brigade and Soldiers while commending them for all their efforts in making sure that the state remains safe.

Welcoming the Governor who was Special Guest at the flag-off, the Commander 13th Brigade, Brigadier Gen. E. l. Okoro said the exercise is part of Nigerian Army’s dovetail into realtime operation which is aimed at enhancing troop’s level of professionalism and preparedness in curbing security challenges prevalent within areas of responsibility such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, ritual killings, pipeline vandalism amongst others.

Also present at the flag off were the Flag Officer, Eastern Naval Command, Commander NSS Victory, Service Commanders, the Speaker and other members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, the Chief of Staff to the Governor Senior Officers, Officers, Traditional Rulers, Clan Heads, and Chiefs Highlights of the event included the flag off exercise by the Deputy Governor assisted by Brigadier Gen. E. I. Okoro, combating display by troops, a tour of the camp and presentation of souvenir to Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.

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The Cross River APC Northern Elders’ Forum led by Chief Fidelis Ugbo has commended the State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey for being a good team player and leader of the north.

This commendation was made when the Forum paid a solidarity visit to the Deputy Governor recently

Ugbo, a former Secretary to the State government and leader of the team, commended the deputy governor for his humility, adding that, the sky is not the limit but the starting point in view of his notable feat.

Ugbo applauded the host for the appointments made so far, as well as the state government’s plan underway to complete the Obudu cargo airport and the revival of the Ranch Resort.

On his part, Chief Peter Ojie, who spoke on behalf of the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, urged leaders in the various local government areas not to only acknowledge Rt. Hon. Peter Odey as the Deputy Governor, but to also see him more as the leader of Cross River North.

He assured the Deputy Governor of their support praying that his sojourn in administration will benefit the entire region.

APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Eba, recalled that Rt. Hon. Odey had a long history of achievements, but had remained humble despite this.

He encouraged Odey to continue to cultivate the cordial relationship existing between himself and the Governor while assuring the Deputy Governor of the advisory role and encouragement of the Northern Elders Forum.

Eba called on the group to support the present administration in the state till the end and not to abandon it halfway.

Other APC elders and stalwarts from CR North including Ada Bekwarra II, Omang ldiege ,Chief Tony Undiandeye, Gabe Edi, Dr Kate Agba Ajibike, E. J Ekunke and Prof Zana Akpagu, in their respective statements also reiterated their support and followership for Rt. Hon. Peter Odey as the leader of Cross River North, praying that the present administration would end well.

They maintained that all issues affecting party faithfuls and people from CR North would be resolved.

Responding, Rt. Hon. Odey appreciated the group for coming together to honor him while assuring them that all the concerns they had raised will be addressed.

He offered to facilitate a meeting of the Elders’ Forum with His Excellency, Prince Bassey Otu, to enable them thank him for his fatherly roles and the cordial relationship shared by the Governor and Deputy.

Odey acknowledged the planned reception in his honor while assuring the Forum that when the caucus is formed, everyone would be carried along.