By Musa Yaro, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has called on the people of the state at home and in the diaspora to join hands with him in building an economically viable state that is devoid of hatred.
Otu who appealed to the maiden edition of the state’s organized Interdenominational Solemn Assembly held at the Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC), Calabar, Saturday, remarked that it is time for the people to render sacrifice through optimum service for the overall development of the state.
“Barely a month ago, we all met in an assemblage like this to celebrate the victory and enthronement of the season of sweetness, today is the spiritual seasoning of that season.
“There is a time for sacrifice and there is a time for investment, that time is now. It is not time for hatred and not time for us to fight.
“Piloting the affairs of the state is not an easy task. This is why we have to seek the face and direction of the author of wisdom to move the state forward. I alone and the people you put together in office will not be able to do this job without all of you coming together to build the state of our dream.
“Next year we will include solemn moments like this in the calendar of the state, at the beginning, at the middle, and the end. We will always seek the face of God, the challenge we face is bigger than humans, but what God cannot do does not exist.
“This is the time for us to build Cross River State. What is most important to me, is leaving an indelible print on the sands of time after the service period.
“Cross River State is a land of abundance and it is time for us to begin to experience it. From our prayers today, I see the blessings of God enveloping Cross River State, I truly see the influx of nations and investors coming back to our state.
“For those in my government, they know that the position is for service and that anybody who tends to oppress will be sacked immediately.
“Let me assure you that I remain the same person you know since yesteryears, nothing is going to change me, power does not mean too much to me, the power I believe, is for service, whatever position you occupy is very transient, not too long another person will occupy the position.
“I say so because all of us cannot be something at the same time but, that does not mean that we are better than others. God has a reason for placing you where you are, but then it is not free, he demands accountability.
“There is no need to fight your brother or sister. I know some of the issues are prosperity, it is coming in quantum, and there will be enough for everybody to eat, but there is that need to wait for your time.
“Don’t pull down your brother, don’t pull down your sister because if you do, then you might not attain that particular pedestal which Almighty God wants you to,” Otu advised.
Declaring the purpose for which the solemn assembly was organized, the convener and wife of the Governor, Rev (Mrs) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, disclosed that the spiritual exercise was to gather the people and residents of the state from all works of life to seek God’s intervention in healing the hitherto peaceful and hospitable land from all forms of demonic vices that has taken over its affairs in recent time.
“When I realized that our land was no longer peaceful and was taken over by demonic tendencies that are tantamount to development, we (husband and I) privately went to God for intervention and as the Lord brought us on board to lead the state, we decided that we should collectively come together and join our hands in prayer to God for total healing, liberation and restoration of our dear state.
“I urge you not to relent in this apostolic mandate of praying for us and most importantly for God to grant my husband the wisdom to lead the state aright.
In his sermon, General Overseer of Christ Chapel Int’l Church, Bishop Emma Isong, admonished the people of Cross River to see themselves as partners in progress in creating a peaceful, united, and economically viable state that will be the envy of all.
Isong who spoke on the theme, “Turn Away From Evil,” listed selfishness, blackmail, and double-crossing among others as some of the vices that have overtaken the land and affected governance negatively, thereby slowing down development.
The Bishop further called on the people of the state to rally around the government in truth, with the utmost respect to the office of the governor and other constituted authorities.
“Politics is over, all must come together to build the Cross River State of our dream devoid of all divisible tendencies,” the clergyman added.
In what could be described as uncommon synergy among the three arms of government, the State Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme, Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon Elvert Eyambem and Governor Bassey Otu read the first, second, and third Bible readings respectively.
The well-attended event which had the 5,000 seating capacity CICC filled to its brim featured praises, worship, and prayers and was attended by political and religious leaders, traditional rulers, public office holders, former political office holders, youth groups, among others.
