Otu solicits prayers as he visits ancestral home

Gov. Otu, 2nd right, his wife, Rev. Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu and his Chief of Staff, Emmanuel Ironbar.

Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Sunday, assured the people of Adiabo Okurikang in Odukpani local government area of the state that his policies will stimulate economic development among rural dwellers.

The governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Rev. Eyoawan Otu and other top government officials, said his administration is determined to ensure that basic social amenities like power and access roads among others get to local communities in the state.

Otu said this when he visited the Presbyterian Church in his ancestral home in Adiabo Okurikang of Odukpani LGA of the state, as part of activities to mark his 100 days in office.

The governor appreciated all those who prayed for his success, including the church, maintaining that his victory came from God with the support of Cross Riverians.

Reading the Gospel of Luke 17:11-19, he said his decision to worship at his family church was to show appreciation to God for His mercies.

“There are a lot of challenges in power, but none is stronger than God. The battle of governance is not easy, especially that of governing Cross River State. But in all, I can say that God has been faithful.

“I am confident that it does not matter whatever financial situation we are in as a state, we are committed to taking Cross River to a better place. One of the things we hope to do as a government is to expand plans to accommodate a greater number of our rural communities in terms of rural access road, power etc, because these are triggers that help stimulate economic development among rural dwellers,” a statement by Emmanuel Ogbeche, his chief press secretary stated.

In his sermon, the presiding priest of the church, the Rt. Rev. Umo Ekpo, who preached on the topic, “Thanksgiving as an act of respect,” called on everyone to always show appreciation to God at all times.

In the Bible reading from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 17, Rev. Ekpo said, “just like the ten lepers who were healed and only one of them returned to thank Jesus, I want to say that our dear governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, who has come before the Almighty God today to appreciate him for what he has done for him, for doing this, God will grant him success as he continues to pilot the affairs of the state.

“At any time anyone shows gratitude, it is believed that you will always have more. I am so pleased that the governor could consider coming back to the church where he began as a young child to come and appreciate God. This is one attribute everyone should emulate.”

It was indeed homecoming as the governor’s entourage was greeted by a mammoth crowd. They expressed appreciation to the governor for returning home to identify with his kith and kin.