By Bassey Ita
Initially created as South Eastern State on 27th of May,1967 by the General Yakubu Gowon led Military regime, Cross River State formally came to being on the 3rd of February 1976, after the regime of the Late General Murtala Muhammed had renamed it as Cross River State.
In September 1987, a part of the State was carved out to form the present day Akwa Ibom State, which should naturally expand the frontiers of development for the two sister entities but unfortunately only added to the initial denials or depravity for Cross River.
Between 1976 to date – 2026, it is exactly 50 years of the renaming and or creation of Cross River State, and the number 50 having significant spiritual implications in any land where righteousness sits on the saddle, reflects the biblical example or account of the Jubilee.
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In Leviticus 25, Jubilee is being mentioned as a 50 year celebration of liberation, restoration and divine grace for the Israelites of old following their prolonged captivity and bondage in Egypt.
What it actually portends for the Israelites then and the contemporary Christian Community today is the significant and profound spiritual reset marked by the cancellation of abberative practices, indebtedness or slavery and trusting in God’s provision and mercies through succour and rest for those in bondage or in captivity.
Indeed Jubilee applies to a time of great messianic fulfilment, liberation, restoration, repentance and renewal of faith even cutting across all endeavour and leadership divides.
It also marked the unveiling of the virtues, creative ingenuity and the true potentials which Isreal was known for.
Cross River State like Isreal of old has been associated with great potentials for fulfilment of destinies.
The State, for instance boast so many historical trails-the first capital of the Southern Protectorate of Nigeria, first and major commercial nerve centre to establish trade contacts with the European Supercargoes, a Sanctuary for so many endangered animal and plant species as well as a rich reservoir of great Intellectual and Leadership Icons as viewed through the political, religious and cultural lenses.
Economically, Cross River has remained a consistent reserve for a number of mineral endowments most of which have contributed substantially to national development.
Incidentally, the State’s developmental trajectory has been one journeying on a snail-speed.
Often, the narrative bandied around the State’s development frontier at the national echelon of leadership has, for instance been that of deliberate neglect, denials and with spurious claims perpetrated by those opposed to its goodwill, while hyping the orchestra of their personal or political convenience.
In September 1987, the creation of Akwa Ibom State from Cross River left in its wake, dire consequences for the State’s economy especially as the Government had to build from the scratch with the loss of so many of its initial assets.
Also, at the wake of the 2002 renewed agitation by the Cameroonian Government for the ownership of Bakassi Peninsula, Cross River suffered the loss of Bakassi, to Cameroun following the Judgement of the International Court of Justice, ICJ.
The implications of that Judgement and the public perception and interpretation of the 2012 Supreme Court verdict on the ownership of the 76 Oil Wells in dispute between the State and the Sister Akwa Ibom State also robbed the State of substantial opportunities for growth and development.
The “End-SARS” protest and the spiralling crimes and criminality that followed all combined to bring development in the “People’s Paradise” on its knees.
No thanks to the heightened sleaze characteristics of dare-devil and corrupt public officials.
Oil revenue to a greater extent has accounted for uncommon and blossoming developments. An objective yet empathetic mind would therefore understand what difficulty the State faces to be denied proceeds as a littoral status.
However, while these dark clouds persist, there appears a silver lining.
As God proclaimed the Jubilee for the Israelites of old through their Leader, Moses so does He proclaim liberation, restoration and messianic fulfilment of destinies for Cross River land and the people therein.
The last two years of the Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu led People First Administration in the State has been a period of sober reflections on the reality of the state’s developmental trajectory.
Thankfully, as a perfect or wonderful coincidence that it is, this year, 2026 signals the Jubilee which is exactly 50 years after the several deliberate neglects and denials since the State was created.
In the biblical account of the Jubilee, God having guided Moses to proclaim rest for the Israelites from all their toil or struggles,also instructed on observing celebrations at different times in reflection of their freedom.
Today, with the renewed yet painstaking efforts of the Governor of Cross River State; the Moses of our time, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, to obviously reclaim and restore the losses of oil resources back to the state, the years of the Locust, the Cankerworm, and the Caterpillar and the Palmerworm are also obviously restored.
The sobriquet “The People’s Paradise” or “Come and Live and Be at Rest” is on the threshold of fulfilment in this era of the Jubilee.
The ‘climate’ has changed and the atmosphere is already heavy with the expected messianic visitation that proclaims liberation and blossoming promises for the State.
Soon, many will begin to see that the State’s resources are shored up to take care of the massive development in infrastructure, human capital development, education, healthcare, security of lives and properties et cetera which were all held down in error.
This is indeed what the Jubilee represents,and this must be by divine orchestration to justify the rest and the celebration (feasting) instructed of God for those who would inherit the land of ‘Canaan.’
It is my considered opinion that the idea of a State-wide Thanksgiving and celebration to acknowledge and appreciate God for the anticipated messianic visitation; liberation and restoration in the land is a necessary one.
This therefore appeals to the thoughts of His Excellency, the People First Governor to direct the planning and organising of such event which is also intended to mark the Jubilee of the State since its creation in 1976.
This, in my estimation will have far reaching spiritual implications; implanting a positive energy for the State’s development.
BASSEY ITA
Writes from Calabar,
Cross River State.
April 14, 2026.
