Participants of Senior Executive Course 47, 2025 of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies KURU Interface with SPC Management

Iloke Egbe SPC 

The Local study tour by participants of Senior Executive Course 47, 2025 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies KURU has visited management of the State Planning Commission as part of the stakeholders engagement to elicit first hand information about the State economic dynamics.

Welcoming the august visitors at the conference hall of the State planning Commission, the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission Pastor Dr. Bong Duke represented by Permanent Secretary Mr Kingsley Ndem Eyibio who presented the history of the State, population, ethnic groups and languages, adding that the State enjoys unity in diversity.

He spoke on the theme of the study tour, stating that Cross River being a coaster State, the Government is working on exploration of marine economy as the State have high potential for blue economy. That majority of Cross Riverians are farmers and fishermen including women and that most people from outside the State buys fish and marine resources for sales to other States and for export while touching on Tourism, solid minerals and investments climate created to serve as incentives for investors.

On the role of State Planning Commission, Mr. Eyibio informed that the Governor His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is the chairman of the commission and the commission do more of Policy coordination, planning including monitoring and evaluation. He also expressed excited for the visit which has offered all party's opportunity to interact and share ideas. 

Highlights of the interface was presentation by Barr. Melodie Lebo, Special Adviser on Blue Economy to the Governor on the topic Blue Economy and Sustainable Devices in Nigeria, issues, challenges and opportunities. Questions and answers, vote of thanks by Brigadier general Stephen Oyechukwu of the Nigeria Army and group photograph. 

Dignitaries in attendance were the Permanent Secretary Ministry of finance Hon. Ajah Francis, the Permanent Secretary office of the Secretary to the Government of the State Barr. Bassey Okon Orok Commission Member Mr Emmanuel  Offiong Management Staff from SPC and the visitors who came from different States and profession like the Police Force, the Navy, Nigeria Labour Congress, Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria Air Force, the president and other Federal Agencies.