The Cross River State Governor Bassey Edet Otu, of the All Progressive Congress APC, has expressed delight to share fellowship with Governor Umo Eno, of Akwa Ibom state in Calabar.
Otu, made his feeling known when he received his counterpart at the episcopal ordination service of the sister state’s first indigenous Catholic Bishop, Rt. Reverend Christopher Naseri, held at Saint Paul’s Parish University of Calabar.
Welcoming the guest to the event, the Cross River State Governor Sen Otu, while thanking God said that Governor Umo Eno, of the People Democratic Party PDP, is a righteous ruler and God’s blessing to the Akwa Ibom people.
He acknowledged that God has blessed them with the first indigenous Bishop after the first Bishop of African descent was ordained sixty nine years ago .
He congratulated Bishop Nasire on his ordination, saying that God has a reason for bestowing the crown on him.
Otu, however, said that the ordination happens at a time that the church is being brought closer to government than ever, explaining that the only constituency that has people with conscience is the church.
While expressing optimism that God would bring about the enablement for people to survive the precarious times currently being experienced in the country, the number one leader in the state also urged people not to lose hope because of the tough times.
“The glory days is fast approaching with renewed hope where people will sing a different tune,” he urged people to take responsibility and move in God’s direction.
“Your presence underscores the fact that the two sister states are the same, boundaries and other landmarks notwithstanding,” Otu said. ” I appreciate you for gracing the occasion with a large delegation.”
He used the occasion to extol the virtues of Most Reverend Ekuwem, saying that his people in Cross River State are not ready to allow him go back to Akwa Ibom, except on visits.
On their part, the Archbishop Joseph Ekuwem and the newly ordained auxiliary Bishop Christopher Naseri of the Calabar Catholic Archdiocese, in their separate remarks, urged the governor’s of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States to see themselves as called to service by God and endeavour to work as brothers to foster unity between the two sister states.
They admonished the two governors to use their positions to ensure the restoration of a perfect road between the two states.
The event, officiated by the Diocesan Archbishop, Most Reverend Joseph Ekuwem, drew dignitaries from across the country and beyond, including the Governor of Yaounde, Central Cameroon, Mr. Paul Naseri Bea, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Reverend Ambassador Antonio Guido Philipazzi, immediate past Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem.