OGOJA, Cross River State — The Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Hon. Mrs. Mary Illah Otoro, on Monday warmly received members of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Holy Trinity Parish, Ogboja, during a courtesy visit to her office following her recent appointment. The visit, which was marked by prayers, thanksgiving, and words of encouragement, underscored the strong relationship between faith-based organizations and leadership in promoting community development within Ogoja Local Government Area. The delegation was led by Mrs. Agnes Osang, President of Holy Trinity Central Station, alongside notable members including Mrs. Veronica Abashi, Mrs. Lucy Asue, Mrs. Lucy Eweh, Madam Philomena Nku, Mrs. Cecilia Aruku, Mrs. Blessing Ekunke, Mrs. Mercy Audu, and Mrs. Janet Sunny Ntol. During the visit, the women offered prayers for divine wisdom, strength, and guidance for the Vice Chairman as she begins her new responsibility in public service. Responding, Hon. Otoro e...
The bill, HB. 1555– which passed second Reading and referred to the Committee on Constitution review for further legislative action was co-sponsored by Hon. Peter Akpanke, Hon. Mike Etaba and Hon. Victor Abang, seeks to create Ogoja state thereby increasing the number of state in Nigeria from thirty-six (36) to thirty-seven (37).
Hon. Offiono in his speech said the essence of the “bill is rested on the principle of equity which is a substratum of the existence of the Nigerian State. In the light of the multifaceted challenges we face.”
The lawmaker revealed that, in terms of demographic consideration, manpower availability, education, the energy sector, etc, Ogoja state will be sustainable.
“Mr. Speaker, my dear honourable colleagues, Ogoja as one of the original provinces, can only join the group of fast-paced regional growth areas, when it becomes a state with all the advantages of infrastructures and institutions, with its population of slightly above two million people on a landmass of 12,158Sqkm with reasonable economic viability, propelled by arable farm lands with bountiful produce of cash crops such as Cocoa, Banana, Rice, Rubber, Groundnut and so on. Also the availability of several mineral deposits such as Limestone, Sodium Chloride, Quartz, barite, and notable Tourism sites such as the Obudu Cattle Ranch and Agbokim Waterfall. That is when the towns of Ogoja, Obudu, Obubra, Ikom, Okundi, Bansara,
Okpoma, Okuku, Yahe, Wanakom, Bebi, Abouchiche, Apiapum, Utugwang, Eyamoyong, Agbokim,
Orimekpang, Ajasor, Utanag, Gakem etc, could become the epicentres of the new state, thus, galvanizing unprecedented dynamism that would propel growth and development and create wealth.”
“The truth is that Calabar is just too far from the people of Ogoja and it is practically impossible for the area to develop and for the people to feel the impact of government.”
“My highly respected colleagues, Ogoja people should be given a state, as they had a province, so that new local government areas that are concomitant with creation of states would spread development.”
“All states accord to a people political right of existence, as the provinces did.”
The Honourable member thereafter enjoined his colleagues to support the bill.
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