Bassey Otu
Bassey Edet Otu (born 18 October 1959) is a Nigerian politician who is the current governor of Cross River State since 2023.[1][2] He previously served as senator for Cross River South from 2011 to 2015, and represented the Calabar Municipal/Odukpani constituency of Cross River State, in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011.[3]
Bassey Otu | |
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Governor of Cross River State | |
Assumed office 29 May 2023 | |
Deputy | Peter Odey |
Preceded by | Ben Ayade |
Senator for Cross River South | |
In office 6 June 2011 – 6 June 2015 | |
Preceded by | Bassey Ewa-Henshaw |
Succeeded by | Gershom Bassey |
Member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from Cross River | |
In office 3 June 2003 – 6 June 2011 | |
Constituency | Calabar Municipal/Odukpani |
Personal details | |
Born | Calabar, Eastern Region, British Nigeria (now in Cross River State, Nigeria) | 18 October 1959
Political party | All Progressives Congress (2016–prsent) |
Other political affiliations | Peoples Democratic Party (before 2016) |
Occupation | Politician |
Background
Prince Bassey Edet Otu was born on 18 October 1959[3] to the family of Late Eld. & Mrs. Edet Okon Otu of Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. He grew up in his home city of Calabar and in Jos, Plateau State, where his father had been assigned to the mission of the Church of Scotland. He obtained a bachelor's degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences from the University of Calabar. Before entering politics, he was engaged in banking and then in the petroleum sector. He is also into farming.[4]
House of Representatives (2003-2011)
Otu was elected a Member of House of Representatives in April 2003 to represent Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency and reelected in April 2007. Within this period (2003-2011), he was Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Vice Chairman, House Committee on National Population and member of committees on Power, Ministry of Niger Delta, Inter-Parliamentary Relations, Inter-Intra Party Relations, Environment, Water Resources and Defense.[3] In a 2007 interview, he said the ruling by an international court that the Bakassi peninsula belonged to Cameroon was wrong, but that the job now was to resettle displaced relatives of Nigerians and move on.[5] Otu was Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream). In this role, he led work on a draft amendment bill that would reposition the Petroleum Technology Development Fund as a more effective vehicle to develop local content in the oil and gas industry.[6]
The Senator, also for effective delivery sponsored the Nigerian Content Development Act, which today has revolutionized the petroleum sector and has put food on the table of many Nigerians.
Senator
In 2011, Otu was elected as Senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District. On arrival in the Senate, he became the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance and later Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking and other financial Institutions; he was also a member, Committee on Navy, Power, Petroleum and Water Resources. His impact at the Senate was adjudged by many to be till date unprecedented; his name is said to be synonymous with human empowerment and societal development,[7] this led to his being endorsed for re-election by Buhari Youth Organisation.
In 2018, Otu was appointed into the board of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In his words, “I joined politics for service to humanity”. This is evidently true, as his record of empowerment ranging from Award of land documents and financial support to build, car awards, scholarships etc. is yet to be broken.
He is happily married to Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu and the marriage is blessed with children.
Gallery
- The senator during his 2019 senatorial Campaign.
- @Rural Campaign
- During the 2019 APC Door-door Campaign
- @APC Campaign
- 2019 APC campaign vehicle
- 2019 APC Governorship and Presidential Campaign
- 2019 Governorship/Presidential campaign
- During Local government tour
- During the 2019 Ward to Ward campaign
- The senator at meeting with women supported by his Wife
References
- Imukudo, Saviour (20 March 2023). "APC's Bassey Otu wins Cross River governorship election". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- Omoboye, Faith (23 March 2023). "Meet Prince Bassey Otu, gov-elect of Cross River State". Businessday NG. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- "HON. BASSEY EDET OTU". House of Representatives. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- KEMI ASHEFON (20 September 2009). "My patch of grey hair got me into trouble At 9 – Hon. Bassey Otu". The Punch. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- Tuoyo Ukusanren (29 December 2007). "Bakassi - Let's Resettle Our People And Move On - Bassey Otu". Vanguard. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- "PTDF STRIKES RAPPROCHEMENT WITH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY". PTDF. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- "Senatorprinceotu.com: Senator Prince Bassey Otu – Excellence in Service". senatorprinceotu.com. Retrieved 7 December 2022.