Cross River At 50: We Have Cause To Celebrate—Col Ogar

DAVID ODEY/Calabar

The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of Cross River At 50 celebration, Col. P.A.M. Ogar (retd), has stated that there is every reason to celebrate the state which turns 50 on 27 May following its creation on 27 May, 1967 along with 11 other states.

Col. Ogar, who is a former military Governor of Kwara state said, at an interactive session with journalists in Calabar, Tuesday that the state has achieved great strides since its creation by Gen Yakubu Gowon (retd).

He said marginalization of minority groups in the Eastern Region, lopsided location of projects and discriminatory appointments led to the agitation for the creation of South Eastern State and later Cross River State after Akwa Ibom was carved out of it.

He said under the 18 governors, 12 of them military, that have ruled the state, it has witnessed tremendous progress.

“In terms of agriculture, tourism, education, etc., Cross River has had a glorious era. So, we should acknowledge and appreciate leaders who have played various roles in its development.

“Cross River State has moved from agrarian and civil service state to tourism. In the past there were 20 hotels in the state but now, there are over 360 and counting. Growth and development are not achieved in one day. It is a continuous process. There have been great strides recorded by the state in the past 50 years,” he said.

He listed various programmes lined up for the four-day event which begins Wednesday, 24 May, 2017, among which include honouring prominent citizens of the state.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation and Secretary of the central planning committee, Barr. Rosemary Archibong said there was need for “thanksgiving and celebration for our tenacity. We  lost our oil wells and Bakassi was ceded, yet we did not go to war. We have sustained our character of hospitality, hosted international tournaments, carnivals and the state has produced some of the best in the world in all areas of human endeavour. We have every cause to celebrate.”.