From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has called on Nigerians to give deeper meaning to the country’s 66 years of independence by transforming political freedom into self-reliance, human dignity and shared prosperity.
Otu urged citizens to look beyond the rituals of October 1 and embrace patriotism, integrity, tolerance and collective responsibility as essential values for building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, made the call in his Independence Day goodwill message to Cross Riverians at the U.J. Esuene Stadium.
He described the anniversary as an opportunity for “solemn national introspection” and a renewed commitment to the ideals for which Nigeria’s founding nationalists sacrificed.
According to him, independence should not be viewed merely as freedom from external rule, but as “the capacity of a people to determine their destiny, provide for their needs, protect their dignity and build institutions worthy of their aspirations.”
The Governor said the sacrifices of Nigeria’s nationalist generation were “deliberate, selfless and animated by an abiding faith in the possibility of a sovereign Nigeria.”
He stressed that their legacy imposes a responsibility on present and future generations to preserve the values for which they struggled.
Otu specifically cited the national ethics enshrined in Chapter II, Section 23 of the 1999 Constitution, including patriotism, integrity, self-reliance and religious tolerance, as important foundations for a stable and prosperous society.
He said Independence Day should go beyond ceremonial pageantry and official rituals, providing an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey and the responsibilities of citizenship.
“Independence Day must mean more to us than the ceremonial pageantry and official rituals that accompany it,” he said, describing the anniversary as “a solemn moment of national introspection” and an opportunity to consider “the Nigeria we desire to bequeath to generations yet unborn.”
According to the Governor, Nigeria’s progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, maritime development and other critical sectors demonstrates that nation-building remains a continuous process requiring “patience, sacrifice, unity of purpose and the determination to transform our enormous potential into tangible prosperity.”
He said Cross River State had also remained “in motion”, progressively evolving economically, socially and politically while giving practical expression to the ideals of national independence.
The Governor highlighted Cross River’s tradition of religious harmony, social justice and inclusive governance, saying his administration had consciously translated the national values of patriotism, integrity, tolerance and self-reliance into the state’s development agenda.
He cited the longstanding proximity and peaceful coexistence of the Calabar Central Mosque and the Apostolic Church along Mary Slessor Street, Bogobiri, as an example that “faith need not be a source of division” but can coexist with “mutual respect, fellowship and understanding.”
Otu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equity, human rights and the rule of law, declaring that “no one, regardless of social or economic standing, is above the law.”
He added that no citizen, “irrespective of how modest his or her circumstances may be,” should be subjected to oppression, intimidation or injustice.
“Justice must remain the shield of both the weak and the strong,” he said.
The Governor stated that his administration had opened the doors of public service to “well-meaning Cross Riverians, irrespective of political affiliation,” in keeping with its commitment to participatory and inclusive governance.
Empowering Young People and Farmers
On economic empowerment, Otu said his administration was investing in young people through apprenticeship, skills acquisition and empowerment programmes, while providing local entrepreneurs with training, institutional support and start-up assistance.
He identified agriculture as a major pillar of the state’s self-reliance agenda, noting that the government was supporting smallholder and large-scale farmers with loans and grants, improving rural feeder roads and promoting mechanisation.
“Our ambition, however, goes beyond food sufficiency. We seek absolute food security,” he declared.
He added that the revitalisation of agro-based cottage industries would help transform agricultural produce into semi-finished and finished products.
“This is the meaning of Food Independence,” the Governor said.
Otu, however, stressed that building a prosperous Cross River could not be achieved by government alone.
He urged citizens to embrace unity, cooperation and collective responsibility, comparing governance to an orchestra.
“As Governor, I am the conductor, responsible for setting the tempo and directing the symphony. But no conductor, however committed, can produce beautiful music if the instrumentalists refuse to play in harmony,” he said.
The Governor called on Cross Riverians to reject “distrust, ethnic prejudice, needless division and every tendency that diminishes our collective strength.”
“Cross River belongs to all of us,” he said, stressing that the future of the state remains “a shared inheritance and a shared responsibility.”
He urged citizens to honour the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding heroes by becoming “worthy custodians of the nation they envisioned.”
Otu wished Nigerians and Cross Riverians a peaceful, meaningful and rewarding 66th Independence celebration.
