Otu ‘ll boost business community, economic growth in Cross River – MEDA

…as first lady flags off medical care to mark 60 years

Great Ogban, the director-general, Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA), has said the season of sweetness will be positively impactful on entrepreneurs in the State as Governor Bassey Otu will strengthen business community and economic growth in the State.

Ogban made known, the governor’s objectives for the business community during his visit to the State Secretariat of Nigerian Association Of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) in Calabar, the State Capital as part of his assessment tour aimed at having personal engagement with business owners in the State, to know their challenges and how Government can offer solutions through his agency.

James Alicha, Chairman of NASME, who welcomed the MEDA DG to their Secretariat, applauded the governor for appointing a man who has vast knowledge of the business community in the State, describing the appointment of Great Ogban as fitting for the Agency

He added that NASME is an umbrella body for small and medium- scale enterprises that is funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria and Bank of Industry for sustainability of small and medium-scale businesses in Nigeria,

He noted that NASME is committed to growing the economy of Cross River State which is why they are advocating for promotion of SME activities in the State for revenue generation, just as he enumerated part of the entrepreneurs’ challenges, including lack of access to funds and cost of acquiring funds, among others.
Meanwhile, Eyoanwaan Bassey Otu, the wife of governor and first lady of Cross River, has flagged off the third edition of the free medical outreach at Akamkpa Local Government Area in collaboration with Faith Care Outreach.

Speaking at the event, Eyoanwaan Otu said, “reflecting on the remarkable successes of our previous initiatives, particularly the Free Medical Outreach 1.0 and 2.0, I am reminded of the transformative power of collective action.

“The data harvested from these endeavours, showcasing 1, 907 General Consultations, 122 Surgeries, 105 Laboratory Investigations, 96 Dental Care procedures, and 341 Eye Services rendered in the Central Senatorial District, underscores the profound impact we have had on the lives of our people.

“As we celebrate my diamond jubilee birthday, I am humbled to stand before you as a humanity champion whose heart beats for the people. It is in this spirit of compassion and dedication that we organised this edition of the Free Medical Outreach 3.0. Health is not merely a privilege but a fundamental human right, and it is incumbent upon us to ensure its accessibility to all.

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a healthier and more prosperous society. By investing in the health and well-being of our people, we lay the foundation for a brighter future and a more resilient workforce.”

Also speaking at the flag off ceremony, the Paramont Ruler of Akamkpa, Obol Agbor Ewa Ebane, lauded the first lady for bringing the outreach to Akamkpa Community.

“We the Akamkpa people will not forget this show of sincere love for our community. I had to be here in person to ensure I see it for myself, and I have witnessed it today. God bless you, ma”, the monarch said.

Also, Henry Ayuk, the Commissioner for Health, extolled Eyoanwaan Otu’s intervention, saying that a new dawn had come for Cross Riverians and more were coming “on the wings of His Excellency, Prince Bassey Otu, the Governor of the State.”