The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, has praised the academic brilliance and intellectual ambition of young scholars after hosting Master Eminence Emmanuel Edem, the overall winner of the Cross River State Students Academic-Thon Challenge (CRISSAC), at his office in Government House, Calabar. 
Congratulating the exceptional student, Odey hailed Edem’s feat as a clear reflection of hard work, dedication, and discipline. He expressed satisfaction with the increasing enthusiasm among young learners for academic excellence and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to prioritizing education as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
The Deputy Governor emphasized that the administration of Governor Bassey Otu remains dedicated to empowering students to achieve their full potential. He reiterated ongoing efforts to promote a knowledge-driven society through enhanced educational infrastructure, improved teacher welfare, and robust student support initiatives.
In his response, Master Eminence Emmanuel Edem, a Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) student of Government Secondary School, Adiabo, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Governor for the warm reception and encouragement. He also acknowledged his teachers and the organizers of CRISSAC for providing a platform that inspires academic excellence and healthy competition among students.
On her part, Dr. AbasiOfiok Akpabio, Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Advocacy, commended the state government for its unwavering focus on education. She revealed that the maiden edition of CRISSAC was organized by her office in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the State Planning Commission, and key stakeholders, including the renowned ICT firm Dahël Consultant Techies.
Dr. Akpabio highlighted that the statewide competition was designed to encourage learning, innovation, and academic excellence among secondary school students across Cross River State.
Deputy Governor’s Press Unit, Government House, Calabar.
