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Ukorebi Esien September 27, 2025
CALABAR —The Archbishop of Calabar and Spiritual Leader of God's Heritage Global Mission, His Eminence Archbishop Josef Bassey has called on Cross Riverians to be patriotic and be ready to sacrifice towards the actualisation of what he described as the Prophetic Destiny of Cross River State.
Speaking yesterday in Calabar while addressing a cross section of pressman, to mark his birthday, Archbishop Bassey unveiled the Premier edition of the Destiny Cross River Awards, a new initiative meant to celebrate landmark contributions to the social, moral and institutional rebirth of Cross River State. The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for 2 October 2025. He framed the awards as more than a ceremony, but a deliberate attempt to define and pursue a corporate destiny for Cross River State, to immortalize selfless sacrifices and to inspire generations to come. He said the awards will be selective with just four categories at the premiere edition and will focus on figures whose long-term contribution has materially advanced the state's recovery and prospects.
"A birthday for me is not just about celebration; it is about purpose. Just as individuals have destinies, so do states. We must understand that destiny, align with it, and be willing to pay the price to see it fulfilled," Archbishop Bassey said.
Archbishop Bassey named four primary honourees for the maiden edition, saying the choices followed careful examination of records and contributions rather than partisan or opportunistic motives. Adding that the choice of the four honourees had nothing to do with politics even though some of them are politicians, but their exceptional contributions towards the actualisation of the Prophetic Destiny of the State.
According to the father of faith, the four persons are;
His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State — honoured for leading what the Archbishop described as a painstaking process of institutional rebuilding and restoration after a period of severe institutional decay.
Chief Anthony Ani — described as a patriarch of the state's development whose long years of public service and private sacrifice have helped shape Cross River's institutions.
Professor Kelvin Etta — recognised for his intellectual and civic contributions.
Sir Kanu Agabi — acknowledged as a legal luminary and statesman whose influence has guided public life in the state.
On Governor Otu's inclusion, Archbishop Bassey was emphatic that the award is not a political endorsement. Instead, he said, the governor's work, especially on salvaging and rebuilding state assets and institutions merited public commendation because it returned the state from what the Archbishop termed "a dark season" toward a functioning, accountable government. Adding that Otu took over the power when every sector of the state had collapsed due to mismanagement by the previous administration. But in less than two years Otu had not only transformed the state but dare to thread the part many wouldn't want to. He said the governor unlike his predecessors deliberately continue and completed projects of past administrations saving cost for the state.
"It takes a secure leader to invest in rebuilding rather than chasing personal glory," he said, urging citizens to recognise repairs and recovery work even if such projects do not generate headline-making monuments.
Addressing criticism and the nepotism charge
The Archbishop used part of his address to respond to circulating criticism about alleged regional favouritism in appointments and government programmes. While acknowledging heightened public sensitivity about appointments and distribution of resources, he challenged critics to produce concrete evidence of statutory breaches.
He stressed that civil service appointments follow statutory and procedural steps and that where those procedures were observed, questions of "nepotism" must be weighed against facts and records. He described demands that lack documentary backing as "mischief" and urged a more balanced, historically informed reading of appointment patterns.
The role of the church and civic leadership
The Archbishop defended the role of churches in public life, arguing they often function as community governments that deliver social cohesion and practical support where formal institutions are weak. He said the church's daily work in counselling, training and community organisation fills gaps that government cannot always reach, and urged that secular actors learn from the church's capacity to organise communities.
He also warned against reducing public leadership to mere political officeholding. "No nation is built by politicians alone," he said, insisting that patriots, citizens prepared to sacrifice for posterity remain the true architects of sustained national progress.
Editorial note
The Premier Destiny Cross River Awards, as described by Archbishop Josef Bassey, positions itself at the confluence of commemorative recognition and civic pedagogy: it seeks to reward those who have repaired institutions and to model a culture of selfless, long-term service rather than short-term gain. Whether the awards will shift public discourse or prompt greater interest in civic duty will depend on follow-through by the Foundation, the transparency of the awards process in subsequent editions, and how the event navigates the inevitable political readings that accompany public recognition of sitting officeholders.
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