Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, has cautioned against hate speech and division among the political divide as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general election..
Governor Otu, who was represented by the Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly Elvert Ayambem, disclosed this on Sunday at Christian Central Chapel International Faith Mansion Centre City of Testimony .
According to the speaker, Nigeria’s 66 Independence Anniversary calls for sober reflection and understanding of all Nigerians.
“Today, we have gathered in the presence of Almighty God to give Him thanks for the gift of our nation, Nigeria, and for His faithfulness to us as a people. As we commemorate 66 years of Nigeria’s independence, our first duty is to acknowledge that, through every season, God has remained our strength and our refuge.
“Independence is more than the remembrance of a date in our history. It is a reminder of the sacrifices of those who came before us and of the responsibility placed on our generation to build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit.
“Nigeria has travelled a long road since 1960. We have experienced moments of great promise, difficult seasons and significant transformations. Yet, through it all, the Nigerian spirit has endured. Our people remain resilient, enterprising and deeply committed to the hope of a better country.,
“As a government, we recognise that there is still much work to be done. We must continue to create opportunities for our young people, strengthen education and healthcare, support enterprise, improve infrastructure, attract investment and create an environment where every citizen can pursue his or her legitimate aspirations.
“In Cross River State, our People First agenda is anchored on the belief that government exists to improve the lives of the people. We will continue to work deliberately towards a state where our people can live in peace, work with dignity and look to the future with confidence. But government cannot do this alone.
“The progress of Cross River State and Nigeria requires the collective efforts of government, the Church, traditional institutions, the private sector, civil society, our youth and every responsible citizen. We must each play our part in building the Nigeria we desire.,,
“As we pray for Nigeria today, let us pray for wisdom for our leaders at every level. Let us pray for peace in our communities, protection for our security personnel, opportunities for our young people and comfort for families facing difficult circumstances. Let us also pray for greater unity in our country.
“Our diversity should not divide us. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and our strength lies in our ability to accommodate our differences while working towards our common aspirations. We may come from different ethnic groups, speak different languages and practise different faiths, but we share one country and one collective destiny.
“As we mark this anniversary, I urge every Cross Riverian and Nigerian to remain hopeful and committed to the work of nation-building. Let us reject violence, hatred and division. Let us promote peace, respect the rule of law and contribute positively .
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ekpeyong Cobham read the second bible lesson drawned from Hebrew, 11, 23-25 .
The General Overseers of Christian Central Chapel International, Archbishop Emmah Isong took the First Bible Reading, Exodus: 15, 22-25 while prayers were made for the unity, security and prosperity of the nation
