Unity, not division, remains the indispensable foundation for peace, good governance and sustainable development.
By Beatrice Akpala
The enduring warning of Professor Emmanuel Ayandele, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, that “Cross River State must not become an atomistic society perpetually at war with itself,” is far more than an academic reflection. It is a timeless admonition that speaks directly to the present realities of our state and offers a pathway towards a more peaceful, united and prosperous future.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that no society can attain meaningful progress where political intolerance, ethnic divisions, sectional interests and personal rivalries are allowed to overshadow the collective good. Development flourishes only where unity prevails, institutions are strengthened, and citizens are committed to a common purpose.
Cross River State stands at a defining moment in its development journey. The opportunities before us are immense, but so too are the challenges. Addressing them demands more than government policies alone; it requires a united people, inspired by a shared vision and bound by a common commitment to the advancement of the state.
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As Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s administration continues to pursue its developmental agenda, every segment of society has a corresponding responsibility.
Political leaders must place statesmanship above partisanship. Community leaders must champion peace and reconciliation. Civil Society Organisations must remain constructive partners in governance, while young people must become ambassadors of unity rather than instruments of division.
Cross River’s greatest asset has never been its natural resources alone. Its true strength lies in the character, resilience, diversity and enterprise of its people. Those qualities have sustained the state through difficult periods and remain the foundation upon which a brighter future can be built.
It is, therefore, imperative that we consciously reject the politics of bitterness, misinformation and needless confrontation. Our diversity should be celebrated as a source of strength, not manipulated as a tool for discord. Differences of opinion are the hallmarks of a healthy democracy, but they must never degenerate into hostility capable of undermining our collective aspirations.
The time has come to replace suspicion with trust, division with collaboration, and conflict with constructive dialogue. The future of Cross River State will not be secured by those who seek to deepen existing fault lines, but by those prepared to build bridges across political, ethnic and social divides.
Professor Ayandele’s caution remains as compelling today as when it was first expressed. It deserves not merely to be remembered, but to be embraced as a guiding principle for leadership, citizenship and public discourse.
Cross River State must never become an atomistic society perpetually at war with itself. Instead, it must stand as a model of unity, inclusiveness and purposeful leadership, where every citizen, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity or creed, contributes to the realisation of a common destiny.
For only through unity can lasting peace be sustained. Only through cooperation can meaningful development be achieved. And only through a shared commitment to the common good can Cross River State realise its full potential.
Beatrice Akpala is the Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Content Development and Archiving.
