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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu has charged the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to shift focus from ceremonial events to measurable impact on the lives of vulnerable citizens.
The Governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Lawrencia Ita, at the 2026 Humanitarian Merit Awards and Symposium in Calabar, said the annual event should serve as a period of stock-taking rather than celebration alone.
“I want to ask that you look beyond the ceremonial aspect of this celebration,” Ita, said while representing the Governor.
“This ceremonial event should be taken as a period of stock-taking, assessing the achievement of your ministry on the lives that you have impacted. The government of the day is more interested in that aspect than the ceremonial part of it.”
The governor noted that while the theme of the 2026 awards, ‘Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities’ aligns with his government’s vision, the true test lies in how many lives and communities have been positively affected.
The governor also urged citizens and stakeholders to complement government efforts by extending humanitarian gestures to the less privileged in their respective capacities.
In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Helen Isamoh said the event is an opportunity to reflect, strengthen partnerships and renew collective commitment to humanitarian cause.
She added that the Humanitarian Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate individuals, organisations and institutions whose dedication to Humanitarian service has made a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
The commissioner said going forward, they will increasingly invest in preparedness, prevention, resilience and empowerment so that individuals and communities are better equipped to withstand shocks and recover with dignity.
Ten distinguished individuals and other development partners were honoured with a Humanitarian Merit Award including the wife of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Martina Goshwe while other participants received various household items.
