Cross River North: What if we meet Again?

Emma Olayi

Recall that on the 30th of September 2017, the great descendants of Agba gathered together in one bond to celebrate that which binds us together.

A worthy Assembly of Brethren it was, Cultural display by the Five component Local Government was in full display ranging from; our unique traditional dances, show casing bountiful Harvest of our Farmers, showcasing of our traditional cuisines, show of strength by the youths and our beautiful maidens displaying their beauty, elegance and lots more.

The second edition of the above unique Assemby of the people of Northern Cross River has long being organized in a bigger and better nature by the incumbent government. This second Assembly reminded us more better of the fact that we are of a common stalk and progenitor. That Assembly consolidated on the gains of our brotherhood and strengthened our resolve to live as one indivisible Northern Cross River. Elders, Youths and even our Children respectively expressed great expectations of the years ahead for us as one people.

One of the offshoots of the above assembly was seen in the last General elections when the North unanimously and overwhelmingly stood by their son for a second term of four years as Governor, another is the pride of our "Ogojaness" tremendously increasing and our Identity redefined. As current torch bearer in this paradise we must deliberately be fair to ourselves and project ourselves in good light.

The crux of this article is a clarion call to all critical stakeholders in the Ogoja Project to rise up, look back, juxtapose with the present and collectively put into action the vision for the greater good of us.

Priviledgedly, we are so blessed with intelligent minds in all walks of life and presently can boast of having the powers at all levels (Federal and state respectively). Let this spring forth uncommon collaboration by all across Party lines and creed, this, if done will see us experience an aggressive turn around for the Ogoja people.

While it will be important we re-assemble again for the third time and even more as a people from the North of Cross River we MUST beyond the pomp and pageantry in the smallest circle of discussions focus on DEVELOPMENT (Human and infrastructural) for the Ogoja nation.

Our Leaders should bring their wisdom to bare by genuinely consolidating and swinging into actions. They should thinker a way forward by re-evaluating where we are coming from, where we are and where we hope to be in the years ahead.

The greatness of a people is tied to how well they plan for the unforeseen future. The needs of the component Local Governments must be considered on the basis of their peculiarities. Our Leaders should plant seeds that will bear good fruits for us and generations unborn.

Our Leaders at all levels should listen to the yearnings and voice of the youths, harness their useful ideas and resourcefulness, experiences and knowledge in making Ogoja great again.

Our Leaders Must come up with developmental blueprint that will spring board us to greatness.

Commendably, the massive and ongoing state wide Agro-Industrial revolution by the current administration will change our economic narrative as a people which is a major reason why with urgency, our Leaders should consider attracting more Agro and allied Industries for us. Also extending this revolution to areas yet to be covered is key; a classical example is the yet to be tapped abundance of Groundnut in Bekwarra Local Government Area; A Groundnut/ Groundnut products mill industry in this area will mean a whole lot to the people bearing in mind the economic value of Groundnut.

Our Youths should stay on the rise as we have been, in pursuit of the realization of a better future for the Ogoja Nation, our strength, agility and knowledge must be channelled into the #GreaterOgojaProject for the general good.

We must bring to the fore all that need be done for us to realise these dreams. We must expose our young stars to knowing the value of pursuing and earning quality education. Cultism, gangsterism, Prostitution and other social vices inimical to growth must be eschewed.

Young people who have over the period made demarketing of the Ingenuity and efforts of Government a job should restrain from such but rather Channel ideas, opinions and possible ways forward to appropriate authorities rather than attempt to heat up the polity alongside those who donot mean well for us.

Our women and mothers must stay supportive, industrious and resilient as they have always been.

our Children must stay in obedience to family, constituted authorities and know that a greater Ogoja is possible.

Let our voices rise in unism and support of everything good for Ogoja; a case in hand is the clamour and appeal for presidential assent to the Bill to Establish a Federal University of Technology Ogoja amongst many other needs.

Above all let all saddled with the responsibility of changing the narrative of the Ogoja people in all areas rise up to the occasion and #fixOgoja! because we only have one Ogoja to call our own and we surely will return home.

Wishing us all a pleasant new month of October and Nigeria Independence anniversary.

OGOJA SURELY WILL BE GREAT AGAIN!

NB: Ogoja in this context consist of Bekwarra, Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja & Yala Local Government Areas.