The Acting Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, Thursday, has reiterated the administration’s commitment to investing in the training, retraining, and development of its workforce to enhance efficiency in governance and service delivery.
Odey gave this assurance when he received the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Community Policy and Strategic Development (CCPSD), Rt. Hon. John Gaul, following a successful capacity-building and utilization workshop for Local Government Legislative Officials and Local Government Councils across the state.
Speaking at the meeting held at his temporary office in Glass House, Calabar, Odey commended CCPSD for its role in equipping council chairmen, their vice, councillors, legislative staff, and Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) with essential skills and knowledge.
He emphasized the importance of continuous training in ensuring efficient service delivery, noting that the government would continue to support initiatives that enhance the capacity of public officials, particularly at the local government level, where governance has the most direct impact on the people.
“As a state government, we will continue to explore partnerships with organizations like CCPSD to sustain ongoing training programs, ensuring that our workforce remains equipped with modern administrative, legislative, and leadership skills,” Odey stated.
He further expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Victor-Felix Idem, Executive Secretary of CCPSD, Rt. Hon. John Gaul, and the Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Area, Hon. Yibala Inyang, who also serves as Chairman of the Chairmen’s Forum in Cross River State, for their coordination of the program. He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to enhance service delivery, in line with Governor Bassey Otu’s “People First” mantra and President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. 
In his remarks, Rt. Hon. John Gaul thanked the state government for its support of the capacity-building workshop, noting that it has strengthened the legislative and administrative capabilities of local government officials, enabling them to perform more effectively. He urged the government to prioritize and sustain continuous training for public officials, acknowledging Governor Otu, Deputy Governor Odey, and other stakeholders for their commitment to human capital development.
Also speaking, Executive Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Council, Hon. Yibala Inyang and Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Victor-Felix Idem, expressed gratitude to the state government for approving and facilitating the workshop. They emphasized that periodic training and retraining programs would significantly improve the capacity and performance of both local government and state officials.
Apogee of the event, which was graced by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Mrs. Caroline Asikpo Edet, and the Chairman of the Councillors’ Forum, Hon. Eneji Sam, was the presentation of the Exceptional Leadership Merit Award to Governor Bassey Otu, his Deputy Peter Odey, and Commissioner Victor-Felix Idem in recognition of their commitment to leadership and human capital development.
Fred Abua, Esq.,
Press Secretary to the Acting Governor
27/03/2025
