The Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu has unveiled the Cross River State Diaspora Commission (CRIDCOM) and its official logo.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony which held in Calabar on Wednesday, Governor Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey described the establishment of CRIDCOM as a ‘brainchild’ of the present administration, designed to harness the immense potential of Cross River indigenes in the diaspora.
Highlighting that CRIDCOM will also help uncover the vast economic potential of our state, he called on Cross Riverians abroad to collaborate and contribute their quota to the development of the state.
“Today, we are opening our doors for that collaboration. We call on Cross Riverians in diaspora to partner with the administration of Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, as we uncover the economic potential of Cross River State in Agriculture, Mining, Technology, Education and HealthCare”. Odey added.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Cross River State Diaspora Commission (CRIDCOM), Prince Otu Okor, emphasized that the unveiling of the Commission and its logo marks the beginning of a new era in the state’s engagement with the diaspora community.
He reiterated CRIDCOM’s commitment to creating a dynamic platform that will facilitate collaboration, attract investment, and promote knowledge sharing between Cross River State and its diaspora.
CRIDCOM’s Chairman commended the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for his visionary leadership in establishing the Commission. He also praised the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, alongside other key stakeholders, for their unwavering support and contributions.
In separate goodwill messages, stakeholders including the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Pastor Patrick Asikpo Okon, President of Cross Riverians in Diaspora (CRID), Pastor Christopher Lekan, and Ms. Dimanche Sharon, the Chief of Mission for Nigeria at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), commended the state government for establishing a Commission that bridges the gap between home and abroad, connecting local aspirations to global opportunities.
They expressed their strong commitment to supporting and collaborating closely with CRIDCOM to building a robust and inclusive diaspora engagement framework which aligns with Governor Otu’s ‘People First’ mantra and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Highpoint of the event was the formal unveiling of the commission’s logo by the deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.
Deputy Governor’s Press Unit, Government House, Calabar
25/06/2025
