Olamide Olopade

CROSS RIVER STATE: RESTORING TOURISM, REVIVING OUR PORTS AND LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE After my return from USA on Tuesday November 3rd evening, I held a meeting with Lagos State NDC candidates, and yesterday November 4th morning, I travelled to Calabar, Cross River State, in continuation of our series of town hall meetings and engagements across the country. In Calabar, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and I led our Cross River State NDC candidates, party members and other supporters on a courtesy visit to His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the Obong of Calabar. At the palace of the respected traditional ruler, we informed him of our visit and the town hall meeting. He generously shared his words of wisdom with us and offered prayers and blessings. At the town hall meeting, we had our usual interactive session, where participants expressed their concerns and asked questions about our plans for the Calabar Port, the restoration of Cross River State to its former status as a leading tourism destination, security, the economy and the general welfare of Nigerians when we are elected. In my remarks, I assured them of the commitment of Senator Kwankwaso and me to uniting and securing the country and immediately embarking on aggressive investments in critical areas of development, particularly education and healthcare, while pulling our people out of poverty. I also assured the teeming crowd of participants and supporters that, under our stewardship, the Calabar Port would become fully operational, alongside other ports across the Niger Delta. On tourism, I recalled with nostalgia how Calabar, Obudu and other destinations in Cross River State used to be preferred tourism destinations for Nigerians and even foreigners. Today, due to poor governance and inadequate attention, the state has lost much of its tourism value. I committed to restoring Cross River State to its pride of place, starting with my personal commitment, when elected President, to spending my holidays at its tourism destinations. I encouraged our members and supporters to be prepared to defend their votes on Election Day, especially in the face of continued hostility from the government. My sincere gratitude goes to our teeming supporters, party members, candidates and well-wishers who attended the town hall meeting. I thank the organisers and the good people of Cross River State for the successful programme and their warm hospitality. A New Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK! -PO