Cross River State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, has charged the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) to uphold responsible and ethical broadcasting, while reiterating Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to strengthening the state’s media infrastructure and restoring its position as a leading tourism destination.
Odey gave the charge when he received a BON delegation, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Isa, at the Deputy Governor’s Conference Room, Government House, Calabar on Wednesday.
Representing Governor Otu, he described the media as a critical partner in governance and national development, urging broadcasters to uphold professionalism, transparency, fairness and ethical standards in their reportage.
He noted that Governor Otu, a media-friendly leader, had demonstrated his commitment to strengthening the state’s media infrastructure through the restoration and upgrading of facilities at the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC), as well as the renovation and upgrading of the historic Nigeria Chronicle building among others.
Odey also highlighted Cross River’s vast tourism potential and the administration’s efforts to restore the state’s position as a leading tourism destination. He cited the ongoing renovation of the Obudu Ranch Resort and the planned test run of the Obudu Cargo and International Airport as key interventions expected to boost tourism, connectivity and investment.
The Deputy Governor stressed that effective publicity and strategic media collaboration were essential to showcasing Cross River’s tourism, culture and investment opportunities, and reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to collaborate with BON in strengthening broadcasting and promoting the state.
Earlier, BON Chairman and leader of the delegation, Alhaji Yusuf Isa, who led the organisation to Cross River State for its 82nd Annual General Meeting, commended Governor Otu for his administration’s strides in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, tourism and sustainable development, noting that the efforts had continued to enhance the state’s profile as a destination for tourists and investors.
Isa also applauded the administration’s people-oriented programmes and effective information dissemination, while highlighting challenges confronting the broadcasting industry, including the rising cost of diesel, unreliable power supply and the high cost of broadcast equipment.
He appealed to Governor Otu to further support public and private broadcasters through increased funding, modern equipment and solar power solutions, stressing that a stronger media industry would contribute significantly to democracy, economic growth and societal development.
