By Abasi Ita
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has charged the leadership of Bekwarra Local Government Area to embrace inclusive and people centred governance as a foundation for unity and sustainable development.
The governor gave the charge on Monday during the swearing in of Hon Egbung Odama Egbung as the substantive Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Area, an event that marked the formal resolution of the leadership impasse in the council.
Governor Otu described local government as the tier of administration closest to the people and a vital engine for grassroots development. He said effective leadership at the local level remains central to the development agenda of the All Progressives Congress, given its direct impact on communities and livelihoods.
He commended party leaders, stakeholders and relevant institutions for managing the leadership transition in Bekwarra peacefully and in an orderly manner, noting that their maturity and restraint helped to preserve unity and stability in the area.
The governor reminded the new chairman that leadership is not an avenue for the exercise of personal power but a call to serve with humility, compassion and accountability, especially to the most vulnerable members of society.
Expressing confidence in Egbung’s ability to deliver, Governor Otu cited his experience and performance while previously acting in the position. He described the chairman as a product of due process who understands the aspirations of his people and enjoys their trust and support.
The governor further noted that Bekwarra occupies a strategic position in the administration’s economic plans for Northern Cross River, assuring that ongoing and future initiatives would be designed to promote growth and shared prosperity. He urged the new leadership to govern with sincerity, focus and a collective commitment to development.
In his response, Hon Egbung Odama Egbung expressed gratitude to God and the state government for the opportunity to serve, pledging to lead with transparency, discipline and dedication to the welfare of the people.
He assured residents of Bekwarra that his administration would operate strictly within established rules and principles of good governance, stressing that leadership to him remains an act of service.
Egbung described the new year as a season of renewed purpose, urging the people of Bekwarra to embrace hard work and collective progress, while assuring that his administration would prioritise unity, development and inclusive participation in governance.