By current matters reporter
“It’s not easy to be 60″ . That was the opening remark by Prince Bassey Otu, the Executive Governor of Cross River State in honour of his dear wife, Pastor Eyoawan Bassey Otu who turned 60, the” golden years” of life on Wednesday 10th March,2024.
The birthday ceremony was held at the International Conference Centre, Calabar, the Cross River State capital . with a roll call of dignitaries from within and outside the state.
They include the wives of the Governor of Ebonyi state ,Marymaudline Nwifuru, the wife of Abia state, Mrs Priscilla Otti, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Unoma Akpabio,Serving Senators , Members of the House of Representatives ,Former Senator, Florence Ita Giwa and wife of former governor of the state,Mrs Onari Duke.
Speaking further at the event, Governor Otu described his wife as a rare gem,one with a heart of gold and reiterated appreciation to God for giving him such a wonderful life partner.
Quoting from the scriptures in Proverbs 18:22″ He who finds a good wife finds a good thing and obtains favour” the governor said he has” invested” in her to give her the happiness of life she deserves and urged others to do the same.
Going down memory lane on how he met his wife, the support she has given to him, he expressed his hearty gratitude to her parents for the good upbringing and asked God to protect her.
On the state and political wranglings, Governor Otu declared “Jesus is the Father of Cross River State”
According to him, God is taking the state to another level no matter the bickering and disaffection from some quarters adding that opportunities would be created for people to excel.
In her remarks, Mrs Otu poured encomiums on her husband saying it would not have been easy without him. She equally paid a glowing tribute to her dear mother,Mrs Ayanwan Itam who turned 82 the same day, and also thanked her children.
Mrs Otu who performed John Keys popular Christian song ” Oh Lord My God, When I in Awesome Wonder in praise and worship to God Almighty for defining her life, guiding her steps from birth through to her new age, urged Christians to “practicalise Christianity” by making their fellow human beings happy.
She described her birthday as a day of mixed feelings -of excitement, emotions and gratitude.
The wife of the governor however noted that Calabar, being the first capital of Nigeria does not reflect the status of a former capital city adding that the transformation trajectory of the state requires all hands on deck..
- Pic- At the centre is the celebrant flanked by her Mom,Mrs Itam on the left and Mrs Akpabio to the right while her husband, His Excellency,Gov Otu watches behind.*
In his goodwill message, the Senator representing Calabar South,Asuquo Ekpeyoung adopted the phrase ” Behind Every Successful Man, there is a Woman to describe the support, encouragement and inspiration to the governor by Mrs Otu.
On her part, the wife of the President of the Senate,Mrs Akpabio thanked the governor for the support given to his wife and enjoined men to brace up to the task of securing their wives to fill the vacuum when they are no more.
Performing the birthday toast to good health,long life and prosperity, the wife of Ebonyi State Governor,Mrs Nwifuru told the people of the state that they are blessed to have a woman like Eyoawan as their first lady.
Other highlights of the event included the unveiling of achievements of Mrs Otu’s pet project titled ” Humanity Without Borders” which includes offering healthcare to the less privileged people, Educational and Economic Empowerment and the cutting of the birthday cake presided over by Prof. Florence Obi, the first female Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.
The birthday was preceded by visits to charity homes and football match on Tuesday between Prince Otu’s team and MMA Adiaha babes ( Eyowan’s team) with the later lifting the cup in an encounter which lasted more than two hours.
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