Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has called on private-sector investors to invest in the state, with assurances of incentives, improved business environment, and government support to stimulate economic growth.

Otu gave the assurance at the 2026 Governor’s Ball, held at Peregrino Hall, Government House, Calabar, where captains of industry, business leaders, investors, and other distinguished personalities gathered.

Otu said the state was committed to creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, adding that his administration would continue to support investors to drive economic growth and development.

The governor stressed that private-sector participation was critical to economic development, saying no government could achieve meaningful progress without investors.

“No government can move without the private sector,” he said, assuring investors that they would not encounter unnecessary delays in accessing government support.

Otu highlighted investment opportunities in maritime infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, hospitality, commerce, and the blue economy.

He disclosed that his administration had put structures and strategies in place to reposition the state’s economy and attract local and international investments.

The governor expressed optimism that ongoing efforts would transform Cross River into a major investment destination, citing rising property values as evidence of renewed economic confidence.

He said land previously sold for about N9 million per plot could now attract as much as N45 million.

Otu also highlighted opportunities in the technology and outsourcing sector, disclosing that more than 700 people had been trained, with over 600 already earning regular salaries denominated in foreign currencies.

He encouraged the youth to develop their talents, remain resilient, and take advantage of emerging opportunities, stressing that determination was essential to achieving success.

“Life is about rising. What determines the future is your resilience to pass through these encumbrances and make sure you achieve,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Edwin Okon, disclosed that about 46 companies previously considered inactive in the state’s business records had indicated interest in resuming operations.

Okon said several other companies had also approached the service in 2026 to register as taxpayers, describing the development as evidence of renewed confidence in the state’s business environment.

He urged investors to take advantage of available tax incentives, waivers, and reliefs, disclosing that about 16 companies benefited from various tax waivers in October.

According to him, the state has harmonised several taxes and levies to reduce the burden on businesses and eliminate multiple payment demands by government ministries.

He said the policy was already benefiting companies, including Wilmar, while the service was expanding automation to improve revenue administration and transparency.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Tenaris Global Services, Mrs Rosario Osabose, said investment decisions were driven more by confidence than the natural resources or potential available in a location.

“Investment doesn’t flow or follow potential. Investment follows confidence. Many places have potential; few create confidence,” she said.

Osabose commended the state government for its efforts to attract investors, particularly through its hosting of the Sixth African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network Investment Conference.

She identified infrastructure, particularly the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port, as a strategic project capable of transforming the state’s economic prospects through improved logistics, industrialisation, and job creation.

The business executive also urged the state to explore opportunities across the energy sector’s value chain, including skills development, manufacturing, logistics, and industrial services.

She disclosed that her company had invested about 10 million dollars in a thermal insulation coating facility, described as the only plant of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.

Osabose stressed the need to develop local talent and create opportunities for women and young people, saying inclusive participation was critical to sustainable economic growth.

“Excellence has no gender. Talent has no gender. Ambition has no gender, and opportunities should not either,” she said.

She called for stronger collaboration between government and private investors to build an economy that would enable young people to realise their ambitions without leaving the state.(NAN)

Grand Patron of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, High Chief Oweizidei Government Ekpemupolo, has donated 50 vehicles for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection campaign in Enugu and Cross River states.

The vehicles were donated at separate campaign rallies in the two states, on Monday, during the inauguration of the state chapters of the Movement and distribution of campaign materials to the state coordinators.

In Cross River State, the government pledged that it will mobilise voters in the state to deliver no less than 1.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

According to latest data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Cross River state has 1,928,978 registered voters.

Governor Bassey Otu who was represented the deputy governor, Peter Odey, said the entire Cross River state was for Tinubu as a mark of appreciation for the developments he had brought to the state, including the Lagos-Calabar Super Highway, increased federal allocation which had ensured prompt salary payment and infrastructure development, among others.

He said it was also important to reelect the president so that the state can regain its status as an oil producing state and the actualisation of the Bakassi Deep Sea Port which the president will commission on November 13, 2026.

“If we don’t support Tinubu to be reelected, we will miss a lot, so a support for Tinubu is a support for ourselves.

“If we were to give the president 1 million votes, the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement has made it 1.5 million because of the logistics support which will enable us to go deep into the corners of the state to campaign at every door,” the governor stated.

In Enugu, the State Governor, Peter Mbah, represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, commended the Movement for its investment in grassroots mobilisation, particularly its recruitment of members across electoral wards and provision of platforms to communicate the party’s message.

He said the Tinubu administration is working to address the challenges facing Nigerians, adding that the achievements recorded in the last three and a half years provided a basis for continuity.

Earlier, leader of the Movement, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, called on the people of Cross River to come out en masse and vote for Tinubu and all other APC candidates in the 2027 election.

Tompolo, who was represented by Kestin Pondi, Managing director of Tantita Security Services, likened ongoing reforms to plant and harvest season and human gestation, saying it takes time but is sure to yield positive results provided the right steps are taken.

“Today, we no longer have fuel queues. We like to compare Nigeria with Asian countries that are doing well, like Malaysia and Indonesia, but one thing we forget to remember is that in those countries, reforms took over 25 or 35 years in some cases.

“Given the same conditions as we have in Nigeria, under which President Tinubu is operating, they may not have achieved what he has achieved in four years.

“If you want reforms like NELFUND which is guaranteeing tertiary education for your children, more federal allocation to your state for projects and so on, you must reelect Tinubu to continue,” he said.

Continuing, Tompolo added: “We cannot start development and truncate it. We want you to vote for APC candidates in all elections,” he added.

Tompolo, who emphasised that the vehicle’s donation was to support the state in its campaign, said: “we’ll stand by you in this campaign. If the plan was to deliver 80%, this should help you take it to 99%.”

He described President Tinubu as a courageous leader who has taken difficult decisions from the beginning of his administration to reposition the Nigerian economy, expressing confidence that the ongoing reforms would deliver a brighter future for the country.

Tompolo said the campaign will cover wards, polling units, churches, mosques, markets and other public places, ensuring that the achievements and policies of the present administration are properly communicated to people across the country.

He also commended Governor Mbah for projects and initiatives in the state, including road infrastructure, bus terminals, the command and control centre, international conference centre, smart schools, airport and Enugu Air.

National Coordinator of the Movement, Sunday Asuku, while calling on the people to get ready to make a loud statement with their PVCs in the 2027 election, pointed out that “Rome was not built in a day and here in Nigeria too, President Tinubu is doing it one step at a time and doing it well.”

He said what Nigeria needs now is continuity and consolidation of ongoing reforms, and so people should tell the opposition that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

Asuku urged Nigerians to consider the antecedents of the presidential candidates, insisting that Tinubu remains the best choice for the country.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday, rallies supports for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, second term in office and Senator Philips Aduda for 2027 election

Wike made the appeal during a Town Hall Interactive Meeting with political stakeholders, traditional leaders, and residents in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.

The FCT Minister also addressed some key issues surrounding political alignment, good governance, and party loyalty in the FCT.

He assured FCT women that it would improve on the number of women in elective and appointed posts.

“What I want to build, in FCT generally, is to improve on the number of women, so that they can move on the inclusivity of women. I’m not denying the men their job. I am only saying that our wives, our daughters, should be part of the system”, he said.

Wike responding to the court judgment sacking Senator Mark-led exco, in African Democratic Congress (ADC), he said political parties are means of getting to where you are going and when you get there you deliver good governance and development to the people.

“Isn’t it that a party is a vehicle that you enter intentionally to go where you are going? When you get there, you talk about development, you talk about good governance, and how you can bring welfare to your people,” he stated,

He therefore appealed to Abuja residents to reject politicians who only appear during election cycles with empty promises and instead support leadership that delivers verifiable infrastructure and structural empowerment.

Earlier in his address Chairman Kwali Area Council, Hon. Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the various projects being executed through FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in the area council.

He therefore assured Mr. President of their unwavering support during the 2027 election.

He said, “And I want to assure you, Kwali Area Council is ever ready. They are ever ready to support you, to deliver the coming election.

“I want to sincerely appreciate you for the numerous projects which you have done for the history of Kwali Area Council”.

He therefore assured the President Tinubu, that, “FCT is going to put up another remarkable history that no government has come as a sitting government to win election in FCT” .

Etsu of Kwali, His Royal Highness, Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, in his goodwill message thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through Minister of FCT, for all the various reforms, which include creation of FCT Civil Service Commission, tax reforms, road, infrastructural projects, promotion of traditional rulers etc

He said, “For 50 years, we’ve been recognized as the categories of persons the United Nations call “the non-existent people.” That is, you live in a country where you don’t have a state. But the p+President, using the instrumentalities of the Constitution, recognized the fact that we need to be included and we were included”.

The traditional ruler therefore assured President Bola Tinubu of the support and vote for his re-election in 2027.

He said, “Your Excellency, be reassured that we are making the commitment this afternoon that by the grace of God, we are behind the president, and we will throw our weight behind him like we’ve never done for any p+Oresident. The reason is because he has done his lot, and it’s our turn to do our lot”.