CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE – In a move expected to reshape Cross River State’s engagement with its global citizens, Governor Bassey Edet Otu on Tuesday inaugurated the Cross River State Diaspora Commission (CRSDC), tasking it with driving investment, unity, and international partnerships.
The announcement was made in the governor’s temporary office in Calabar, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill.
The new commission, Otu said, will serve as a strategic link between the state government and Cross Riverians living abroad.
“You have an important job to do: manage our people in the diaspora and build the image of Cross River on a global scale,” the governor told the appointees. “We expect you to start work immediately and build on the foundation we have laid.”
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The governor’s directive signals a shift in the state’s development strategy, as the CRSDC is expected to boost foreign investment, enhance cultural exchange, and attract skilled expertise from the diaspora.
Dr. Bong Duke, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the State Planning Commission, expressed confidence in the newly inaugurated team.
“I feel fulfilled today. We’ve worked hard to bring this vision to life, and I’m confident that this team will deliver,” he said during the ceremony.
Chairman of the commission, Mr. Otu Esu Okor, acknowledged the weight of the task ahead. “We are grateful to His Excellency for giving us this platform to contribute to the growth of our beloved state.”
“We are already in talks with diaspora partners to attract investments to Cross River. We will not fail,” Okor pledged.
The commission includes Elizabeth Greene (Secretary), Mr. Eyobong Ita, Mr. Douglas Agba, Dr. Maggie Inde, Mrs. Emily Madueke, Mrs. Anita Pascal, Mrs. Barbara Eta, and Dr. Ignatius Oli.
In his statement, Gill noted that the commission’s mandate reflects Governor Otu’s “People First” agenda, which prioritizes inclusive growth and the establishment of institutions that position Cross River for long-term, globally-driven development.
With the commission now inaugurated, attention turns to how swiftly and effectively it can deliver on its ambitious objectives.