By joshua Celebrating Otu’s Visionary Leadership At 67: The Season Of Sweetness Story
By Michael Jegede
In an adaptation of the famous words of French painter and sculptor Edgar Degas (1834–1917), “Vision is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, has demonstrated this essence of true leadership. He is believed to have successfully made an entire state see sweetness where others saw bitterness, see hope where others saw despair, and see a vibrant future where many were trapped in the past.
Otu, who has lived a fulfilled life and contributed immensely to the betterment of humanity, nation-building and democratic sustenance at 67, clearly understood what Mahatma Gandhi meant when he said: “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” For him, the most vulnerable were not in Government House. They were in the pension queue: retirees who have served Cross River for 35 years without a gratuity since 2009; workers whose promotions have been stalled for years; and young people who possess certificates but lack capital.
That was why his first executive orders were not about awarding contracts. They were about restoring dignity — phased payment of gratuity arrears, prompt payment of salaries, restoration of promotions, and implementation of wage awards to cushion subsidy removal. Since his assumption of office, the payment of monthly salary and pension to workers and pensioners has remained a first line charge in every months’ expenditure.
Leadership expert John C. Maxwell famously noted: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Governor Bassey Otu has actively embodied this philosophy through his structured ‘People First’ Agenda. Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, his administration has seamlessly blended visionary planning with the judicious use of resources, fostering an inclusive, transparent, and value-driven governance style anchored on integrity and restraint.
As management guru Peter Drucker famously taught: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Governor Otu is doing exactly that—boldly shaping Cross River State’s economic future through structured, sustainable wealth creation. Rather than relying on temporary fixes, his administration has deployed a robust, multi-sector economic transformation strategy centered on aggressive Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), sweeping agricultural industrialization, SME empowerment, and a modernized tourism ecosystem.
A shining example of this visionary approach is his paradigm shift in the agricultural sector, where he revived the state’s vital cocoa value chain not as an inefficient, government-owned plantation, but as a thriving, people-owned enterprise. By shifting the role of the state to that of a regulatory and infrastructural enabler, the administration has placed actual ownership back into the hands of the local farmers.
Winston Churchill, late ex-British Prime Minister, captured the dividing line between mere success and true significance when he stated: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” At 67 years of age, Governor Bassey Otu has transformed this moral philosophy into the foundational framework of his administration. Nicknamed the “Sweet Prince” because of a lifetime of quiet philanthropy, his actions prove that a leader’s true worth is measured not by accumulated political power, but by the tangible relief given back to the community.
Those who follow Governor Otu’s trajectory closely emphasize that his political identity is entirely his own, free from the shadow of previous administrations. His supporters frequently celebrate his calm demeanour, collaborative mindset, and genuine compassion, viewing his administration as a much-needed force for healing in the state. This unique, empathetic ethos has become the guiding light of his administration’s flagship governance blueprint—vividly christened the “Season of Sweetness”. As the “Sweet Prince” marks his 67th birthday on October 18, 2026, his admirers point to this milestone not merely as a celebration of age, but as a reflection of a leader whose restorative style has successfully translated grassroots compassion into visible, transformative progress for all of Cross River State.
It is said that: “A leader who is not humble is a danger to his people.” And the legendary American Basketball player and coach, John Wooden said: “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.”
At the core of Otu’s leadership is a profound humility – an orientation rooted in his upbringing that prioritizes the public good over personal power. Rejecting the traps of pomposity and flamboyance, he governs through consensus, empathy, and an open-door policy that welcomes constructive criticism. His rise to high office has neither compromised his values nor inflated his ego; instead, he maintains a calm, egalitarian demeanour and an enduring respect for those who served before him.
Otu’s effective governance approach and sterling leadership style have endeared him to the hearts of Cross Riverians. He is well-loved by citizens who are pleased with his performance as captain of the state’s ship.
The timeless words of Maya Angelou – American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist – perfectly capture why Cross Riverians love him: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Otu makes people feel valued, even as he remains humble, unassuming, and easy-going.
As he turns 67 on October 18, 2026, Cross River is not just celebrating a birthday. It is celebrating a leadership style. A style calm in a noisy polity, inclusive in a divided polity, and sweet in a bitter polity. It is the Season of Sweetness story.
In a congratulatory message to the governor, the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman Governing Council of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, lauded Otu for his proactive and people-centric leadership, describing him as a man of firm purpose, deep humility, and unwavering dedication to public service.
According to Ndoma-Egba, an erstwhile Senate Leader and one-time Chairman Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board, at 67, Otu has distinguished himself as a leader who places people above politics and results above rhetoric.
“I extend my warmest felicitations to my dear brother, former parliamentary colleague in the Seventh Senate, and our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, on the auspicious occasion of his 67th birthday anniversary.
“Attaining the age of 67 is not just a milestone of years, but a beautiful testament to a life entirely anchored on contentment, unwavering faith, and selfless devotion to humanity. From your distinguished years of impactful service in the country’s highest legislative body to your current exalted position as the pilot of our dear state, you have remained a consummate grassroots politician and a compassionate leader who genuinely feels the pulse of his people.
“As you celebrate this glorious new chapter, I pray that God Almighty endows you with a renewed measure of divine wisdom, robust health, and unparalleled strength. May He continue to grant you the uncommon courage, boldness, and foresight required to execute all the beautiful visions you have conceived for our beloved state, leaving behind enduring legacies for which generations to come will remain eternally grateful.”
The Special Adviser (SA) to Governor Otu on Cocoa Produce, Mr. Paul Ndik, has this to say about his principal: “Though I have worked with him for just a short period, I have found His Excellency, Senator Bassey Otu, to be a humble, fatherly and people-centred leader. He leads with calmness and sincerity, and truly lives his People First agenda.
“He comes across as a pleasant personality and a quintessential politician. He came fully prepared and well-equipped to serve the people of Cross River State. And indeed, Cross Riverains are positively feeling the great impact of his good governance.
“As he clocks 67, I wish him long life and a sound health of mind and body. As he continues to put the people first in his administration of the affairs of our dear state, the mercy and grace of God Almighty will never cease to be upon him.”
On his part, the Secretary of Ikom Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Edo Owan Amba, said: “Since His Excellency, Governor Otu stepped into the governance space, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to a singular, foundational truth: that power is meaningless unless it is directly deployed to uplift the lives of ordinary citizens.
“An analysis of his political trajectory reveals a rare type of leader who genuinely holds his friends, associates, and constituents at heart. Driven by a deep-seated belief that the people’s comfort must come first, Governor Otu has moved Cross River State away from speculative politics and anchored it firmly on a ‘People-First Agenda’.
“Long before taking the oath of office as Governor on May 29, 2023, Prince Bassey Otu’s legislative tenure established his reputation for compassionate leadership. Representing the Calabar Municipal/Odukpani federal constituency and later serving as the Senator for Cross River South, Otu fundamentally redefined what representation and empowerment meant in Nigeria.”
Continuing, he said: “Inheriting a state with complex developmental hurdles, he chose not to dwell on loud rhetoric but to initiate ‘quiet revolutions’ that hit directly at the everyday living conditions of Cross Riverians. His urban and rural restructuring efforts speak for themselves.
“The long-standing menace of potholes and deteriorating roadways, which previously crippled business and tourism in Calabar and beyond, is being systematically eradicated. Crucial economic networks are being re-engineered to allow safer, faster transit for farmers, traders, and travellers.
“Grounded in values instilled by his educator mother, Otu’s administration continues to remodel basic educational frameworks across the state’s local government areas, improving funding and infrastructural capacity to guarantee children a fair shot at the future.
“Perhaps the most compelling proof of Otu’s empathy is his handling of public welfare. His administration made waves by approving a ₦10 billion fund purely dedicated to resolving outstanding gratuities for long-neglected retirees. Concurrently, the repositioning and sanitizing of the civil service, coupled with ongoing new recruitments, proves that he prioritizes human livelihoods as much as physical projects.”
An educationist and senior lecturer at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Dr. Cassius Ayam Ogar, described Governor Otu in glowing terms, saying: “His Excellency the Governor of Cross River State is a wonderful man. Within the time he has sojourned in politics, he has touched lives. He has impacted the welfare and well-being of Cross Riverians. As governor of Cross River State, he is doing excellently well in addressing the teething needs of the people. The governor is a man who puts the people first.
“As a worker in one of the institutions under his watch, I have seen how the governor has demonstrated immense concern about deep-seated issues surrounding the welfare of staff at the university where I am a senior lecturer. The governor is an amazing personality. Irrespective of political sentiments and people’s positions about individuals in politics, the governor has distinguished himself so well. He is a man who has demonstrated that he is not just a politician. Politicians make promises and wishes, but this is a man who works tirelessly towards the fulfillment of those promises.”
Dr. Ogar, who is the HOD, Department of Business Administration in the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences at UNICROSS, added:
“As one who has followed politicians for at least 24 years, I can categorically say that the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, is God-sent to Cross River. In the time he has been in office, he has put in place policies that have helped to alleviate the sufferings of the masses. He has promoted the interest and welfare of Cross Riverians. His antecedents as a senator showed that during his time in the Senate, he helped to foster bills that brought about the elevation of the citizenry of the nation.
“As a Cross Riverian, he has totally put himself forward to ensure that Cross River regains its dignity. He has been pushing very hard to recover the 76 oil wells Cross River State lost, and meaningful progress is being made in that regard. Governor Bassey Edet Otu has in no small measure demonstrated a maximum level of leadership concern. In fact, his leadership style is second to none.
“On behalf of myself, my entire family, community, and the university in which I work, we wish His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu, a happy 67th birthday anniversary. I pray for long life and God’s divine favor upon him.”
Michael Jegede, a journalist, writes from Abuja.