Calabar, Nigeria, May 27- In a colourful gathering at the Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development on Hope Waddle Avenue, Calabar, the Honourable Commissioner, Her Grace, Archbishop Professor Margaret Minika Ene-Ita JP, declared resounding support for the continuation of Senator Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s governorship tenure beyond 2027. This declaration was made in conjunction with the 2025 Children’s Day celebrations and the second anniversary of the Governor’s administration.

Addressing the press in her office, Archbishop Prof Ene-Ita said: “We have a lot to celebrate because we are in the season of sweetness. Today is Children’s Day, and this ministry is in charge of the children. After here, we’ll be going to the orphanage home at Owanse, to have our party for the children.”

She continued: “We are also in a very sweet mood because we are also marking the second anniversary of the reign of sweetness. You can see us in colours and you can see the smile in all of them because everybody has had a feel of the sweetness.”

The commissioner highlighted the ministry’s alignment with the state’s mantra of “people first,” explaining: “His Excellency has taken care of basic needs, including roads and infrastructure. Now, food is coming from the hinterland with ease, traders and market women can bring their products because we have good roads.”

She attributed the ongoing successes to divine providence, declaring: “Knowing God is so important because God cares about the people. That’s why in the beginning, God created people. He said it’s not good for man to be alone. He created relationships, and relationship is about the people.”

On the significance of the slogan “No Vacancy in 2027,” she was unequivocal: “It translates statewide. It’s nationwide. Even at the national level, our Governor is regarded highly up there; he’s a problem solver, a succour to many. He knows how to bring calmness and peace.”

Archbishop Prof Ene-Ita also commended the Governor for his financial assistance programmes, which she described as non-discriminatory: “He gives out financial assistance, and this financial assistance does not discriminate. It goes across borders. Just like the mother of the state, the First Lady of the State, Bishop (Mrs.) Eyoawan Otu, has an NGO that says ‘humanity without borders.’”

She elaborated on the various forms of assistance rendered by the ministry: “People from other states are coming in here to get support, coming in here to get help, coming in here for one assistance or the other. It’s not just financial aid to feed, but also payment of school fees, house rent, starting up businesses, and even medical interventions.”

Reflecting on the Governor’s achievements within his first two years in office, Archbishop Prof Ene-Ita noted: “If only two years he has done this, do a little bit of mathematics — did you pass A level 36? Then you will know that in four years’ time it will be like what the Bible says, one will pursue one thousand, two pursue ten thousand. You are going to see great transformation.”

Concluding with prayers for the Governor, she said: “On behalf of the ministry, my goodwill message is that may the Lord bless him. Amen. May the Lord keep him. Amen. May the Lord shine his face upon him. Amen. And give him peace. Amen.”

She added: “We live in a world that people don’t like good. The more good you do, the more they can even hate you. But we are rest assured because the word of God says evil can never overcome good, but good must overcome evil. So I know that it’s in the hands of God, and God will strengthen him, protect him, and keep him for us because he is a man after God’s heart. And that’s the kind of person the state needed, and that’s what we have wanted.”

As the state marks the 2025 Children’s Day, the echoes of support for Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s administration reverberate throughout Cross River, with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development leading the charge.