Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has called for a strong partnership with citizens in the diaspora to drive development and tap into the state’s economic potential.

Otu, who made the call while unveiling the Cross River State Diaspora Commission and its logo in Calabar, Wednesday, said the state is opening its door for partnership with Cross Riverians in the diaspora in the areas of healthcare, agriculture, technology, ICT, mining, education, among others.

Otu, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, said the initiative aims to leverage the skills, resources, and networks of Cross Riverians living abroad to contribute to the state’s progress, emphasising inclusive governance and international collaboration as key strategies for achieving the state’s development goals.

“Today, we are opening our doors for that partnership. We are opening our doors in healthcare, agriculture and technology. CRIDCOM will no longer be just a member of diaspora. We are challenging them to bring investment to Cross River State.

“There’s a lot to do in agriculture, in mining, in technology, in education, in healthcare and it is only our brothers in diaspora that have access to international communities who are ready and willing to partner with our state.

“Cross River State is indeed the only state in Nigeria where you can be sure of security. It is the second state in Nigeria where your business is secured after Lagos State. The interest of this administration is to ensure that we leapfrog ahead of Lagos State and to ensure that Cross River State becomes the best state to do business,” he said

He therefore called on Cross Riverians in diaspora across the world to partner with his administration as it uncovers the economic potential of the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of Cross River State Diaspora Commission, Prince Otu Okor, said the occasion marks a significant milestone in the state’s journey towards harnessing the potential of its diaspora community for the development of Cross River.

He commended Governor Otu for his visionary leadership in establishing the commission and his commitment to leveraging the expertise and resources of its diaspora community, which he said is a testament to his dedication to the state’s progress and prosperity.

Okor said that the unveiling of the commission and its logo marks the beginning of a new era in the state’s engagement with its diaspora community. “We are committed to creating a platform that will facilitate collaboration, investment, and knowledge sharing between the state and its diaspora community.

In a keynote address, the Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Ms Sharon Dimanche expressed confidence that CRIDCOM, as a powerful agent of development will provide a structured platform for collaboration, investment, knowledge exchange, and advocacy between Cross Riverians abroad and their home state.

She urged all stakeholders both in government, the private sector, civil society, and the diaspora to rally behind the commission and make it a beacon of innovation, impact and unity.

In a goodwill message, the president of Cross Riverians in the Diaspora (CRID), Mr Christopher Lekan described the creation ofCRIDOM as a bold and timely initiative that will serve as a strategic bridge for effective equipment, representation, and partnership between the state and it’s diaspora community.

He assured the governor and government of Cross River State of their unwavering support and commitment to collaborate with CRIDCOM in actualizing it’s objectives and expressed confidence that the commission will become a vital platform for mobilizing the talents, skills, potentials and investments of Cross River citizens abroad towards the economic, social, and cultural development of the state.