The ‘Association of Ogoja Women in Politics’, Worldwide, paid a courtesy call yesterday to Mr. Adoga Raphael Morphy, the Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor of Cross River State, in charge of the Department of Projects, Programmes, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPPM&E).
The delegation, received at Mr. Morphy’s office in Calabar, expressed profound joy over his appointment to such a significant government position. The well-organized women lauded the state Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for his “insight and concern about the well-being of the people, particularly Ogoja,” which is the local government area of origin of the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.
“Your appointment into this particular office is a result of your hardwork. It also goes a long way to show, how the peoples’ first governor is thorough, when it comes to the issue of assigning roles,” one of the women stated. They further expressed gratitude to the Governor for strategically bringing onboard numerous individuals of Ogoja origin to serve in his administration, noting His Excellency’s promise to appoint even more.
The delegation, led by the association’s president, Honorable Torita Odey, who also serves as a Special Adviser in the government, disclosed their upcoming program of activities. These include mobilizing Ogoja women for the endorsement of Governor Otu and Deputy Governor Odey for a second term in office and a plan to empower not less than 50 less-privileged women in each of the ten political wards in Ogoja Local Government Area, among other initiatives.
Earlier, Mrs. Margaret Bassey, the department’s Director for Administration (DA), welcomed the women and commended them for celebrating their own in such a unique manner.
In his response, SA Projects Mr. Adoga Morphy emphasized the crucial role of his Department in actualizing good governance and delivering democratic dividends to the populace. He stated that his mandate is “to ensure that the projects and programmes of this administration are 100% completed measured by best practices,” with a mission to “fast track timely delivery of all government projects, programmes and promote adherence to specifications in execution of contracts by various stakeholders.”
Mr. Morphy stressed that the state government’s vision is for Cross River State to become “a leading State with prosperous, healthy and educated citizens: living in harmony with people and nature, and pursuing legitimate interest in freedom moderated by good governance.” He thanked the women for their efforts aimed at making Ogoja a purely APC local government, not just in wards, but by actions.
High points of the visit included the presentation of a glass portrait, handover of the association’s itinerary and the presentation of a membership uniform to the SA for his wife, designating her an automatic member of the association.
By: Declan Ogar-Genesis
