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Ukorebi Esien | June 16, 2026
CALABAR – The Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), South-South Zone, Mr. Opaka Dokubo, has commended the administration of Governor Bassey Otu for what he described as the visible transformation and renewal taking place across Cross River State, declaring that "the glory days are returning" to the state.
Dokubo made the remarks on Saturday in Calabar after leading members of the South-South Council of the NUJ on an inspection tour of key projects undertaken by the Otu administration ahead of the council's meeting in the state capital.
Speaking with journalists after visiting several government facilities, the NUJ chieftain expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of development witnessed across sectors, including tourism, education, and media infrastructure.
"We came into Cross River on June 12, Nigeria's Democracy Day, and it is a wonderful coincidence that we have converged in a state where democracy truly works," he said.
According to him, the projects inspected reflected a government committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
"There are not very many states like Cross River. We can boldly say that governance truly works here because we have seen it for ourselves. With what we have seen, we can testify that there is governance in Cross River State," he stated.
The NUJ Vice President particularly praised the government's efforts to revive the state's tourism sector, noting that Cross River has historically been Nigeria's tourism capital.
"Cross River is known for tourism and we have seen the effort of the state government in reviving that culture. Some of us have been here several times and witnessed the decline, but in the last three years we have seen a resurgence of what Cross River and indeed Calabar have always been known for—a place of peace and a people's paradise. The glory days are returning," he said.
Dokubo also lauded the ongoing transformation of the State Library, describing the facility as a world-class educational asset.
"If you talk about education and do not talk about libraries, then you are not talking about the foundation of learning. What we have seen here today is remarkable. We understand that there was little to write home about when this administration came into office, but today this is a world-class facility that any state would be proud of," he added.
The NUJ leader further expressed delight at the rehabilitation and modernization of the Nigerian Chronicle newspaper complex, describing the development as a significant investment in the media sector.
He recalled that the iconic newspaper establishment, founded in 1974, suffered severe damage during the EndSARS protests, but noted that the ongoing reconstruction would restore the institution to its pride of place in Nigeria's media landscape.
"As journalists, we are particularly excited by what we have seen at the Chronicle. It is one of the most iconic state-owned newspapers in Nigeria and we are glad to see it receiving such modern treatment. The Chronicle is returning to reckoning," he said.
Dokubo added that the relationship between the Cross River State Government and the media community demonstrates the administration's appreciation of the role of journalism in governance and development.
"Government can only be close to the people through effective communication, and there is no way that can happen without the media. What we have seen here shows that the government understands this reality," he noted.
While encouraging the state government to sustain the momentum, the NUJ Vice President said the visible improvements across key sectors were evidence that democracy was yielding tangible benefits for Cross Riverians.
"For the three years of Governor Bassey Otu's administration, we can confidently say that something good is happening here. Democracy is indeed at work in Cross River State," he concluded.
The South-South Council meeting of the NUJ brought together journalists and media leaders from across the region to discuss issues affecting the profession and national development.
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