Cross River State Governor, Bassey Edet Otu, has received a glowing 67th birthday tribute from the state's Special Adviser on Nursing, Dr. Esu Coco-Bassey, who described the governor's record on the nursing profession as unprecedented. The aide made the remarks in a birthday statement released in Calabar on Sunday, October 18, 2026, as the governor marked his 67th birthday.
In the statement, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, Dr. Coco-Bassey spoke on behalf of the entire nursing community in Cross River State. He praised the governor for what he called an "unprecedented impact" on nursing education, employment and professional recognition across the state's health sector.
Who Is Dr. Esu Coco-Bassey And What Did He Say About Governor Otu?
Dr. Esu Coco-Bassey serves as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Nursing. In his birthday message, he said the nursing profession in Cross River State has witnessed unprecedented transformation under Governor Otu's leadership, spanning the training of nurses, the upgrade of nursing institutions and the welfare of practising nurses.
He said the governor's commitment to the health sector reflects his administration's "People First" philosophy, adding that nurses across the state remain grateful for the policies that have restored dignity to the profession.
What Did Governor Otu Do For Nursing In Cross River State?
The birthday tribute listed several milestones recorded under the Otu administration:
- Upgrade of nursing institutions: the state's Schools of Nursing in Calabar, Itigidi, Ogoja and Obudu were elevated to Colleges of Nursing Sciences, expanding training capacity.
- Accreditation: the institutions secured full accreditation and re-accreditation of their programmes, keeping them open to new intakes.
- Career progression: nurses now rise to the peak of the civil service, with a nurse serving as a Permanent Secretary and others heading boards and parastatals.
- Political recognition: a nurse serves as Special Adviser on Nursing, and other nurses hold board and council appointments.
- Welfare and logistics: buses were provided for the nursing community, alongside counterpart funding for training programmes.
- Employment: new nurses have been employed and promotions paid to address stagnation in the service.
- Infrastructure: health facilities have been renovated and equipped across the state.
According to the aide, these steps ended years of stagnation that nurses in the state experienced before the current administration.
How Did Other Leaders Mark Governor Otu's 67th Birthday?
Governor Otu's 67th birthday drew tributes from across the state's political class. The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, in a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Matthew Okache, dated October 18, 2026, described the governor as a leader whose administration has recorded unprecedented achievements across sectors.
Ayambem said the governor's leadership has brought infrastructural development, educational reforms and economic growth, noting that the 10th Assembly remains committed to supporting the administration's People First agenda.
Also marking the occasion, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, hailed Governor Otu's healthcare reforms, citing improvements in primary healthcare delivery, the upgrade of health facilities and welfare policies for health workers as evidence of the administration's People First leadership.
Leaders of the 18 local government areas of the state also joined in the celebration, with council chairmen and their aides issuing congratulatory messages commending the governor's grassroots development drive.
What Did Dr. Coco-Bassey Pray For Governor Otu At 67?
Dr. Coco-Bassey prayed for the governor's continued health, wisdom and strength, asking God to grant him more years of service to Cross River State. He wished the governor a happy 67th birthday on behalf of nurses across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Governor Otu At 67
Who is Dr. Esu Coco-Bassey?
He is the Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Nursing, and the aide who led the nursing community's 67th birthday tribute to Governor Bassey Otu.
How old is Governor Bassey Otu?
Governor Bassey Edet Otu turned 67 on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
What did the Special Adviser on Nursing say about Governor Otu?
He said the governor has made an unprecedented impact on the nursing profession in Cross River State, citing upgrades of nursing institutions, accreditation, employment, promotions and welfare for nurses.
What are Governor Otu's notable health sector reforms?
They include the conversion of Schools of Nursing to Colleges of Nursing Sciences, accreditation of nursing programmes, employment of new nurses, payment of outstanding promotions and the renovation and equipping of health facilities.
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Sources: CrossRiverWatch; Cross River State Government.
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