On 3 October 2024, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State swore in 27 new permanent secretaries at a ceremony in Calabar, aimed at enhancing the state’s civil service efficiency. In his address, Otu emphasized the critical role of these officials in fostering innovative ideas and ensuring productivity within their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He also warned that poor performance would no longer be tolerated, urging the officials to meet high expectations in line with his administration’s goal of improving public service for the welfare of the people.
Governor Otu highlighted the administration’s commitment to gender equity, expressing pride in the significant number of women among the new appointees. The officials were reminded of their dual responsibilities as both financial overseers and administrative leaders within their MDAs. Otu further stressed the need to eliminate practices that hinder progress and warned that subpar performance would result in consequences.
The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh, described the appointments as a recognition of hard work and dedication, while Dr. Jonah Offor, speaking on behalf of the new secretaries, pledged to uphold their duties to advance the state.
This move is part of Otu’s broader efforts to reform the Cross River civil service and ensure a more efficient public sector.
