… As Crossjof Unveils “The Panorama“ Magazine
… Scores Sen. Jarigbe Agom,Hon. Peter Akpanke for Constituency Projects
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan-Enoh has called on youths in Cross River State to embrace innovative entrepreneurial skills to sell the cultural richness, creativity, and beauty of the state to the world.
Sen. Owan-Enoh made this call on Tuesday in Abuja in his keynote address at the occasion of the Cross River State Journalists Forum 2025 Crossjof Day, where the “The Panorama” Magazine was unveiled.
The theme of the 2025 CROSSJOF Day was ” Building The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs in Cross River State.
The senator, who was represented by his Senior Assistant, SA, Media, Emem Bassey underscored the unique entrepreneurial qualities embedded in Cross River State as the forerunner of culture, creation, and beauty emulated by surrounding states.
Owan-Enoh said, “Cross River is one of the unique states in our federation—a state blessed with
cultural richness, creativity, natural beauty, and a population known for warmth and innovation.”
” From Obudu to Odukpani, from Calabar to Boki, Cross Riverians draw on our inherent creativity and resilience to build enterprises that thrive both locally and
globally.”
The minister stated that next generation of
entrepreneurs who are able to identify problems, create solutions, and stay consistent will define the future of states, regions, and entire nations.
According to the minister, the next generation of business leaders will come not from inherited structures, but
from those who can innovate, adapt, and collaborate, emphasizing that Cross River State has that potential
in abundance.
However, the minister also urged journalists, particularly CROSSJOF members to stick to professional journalism, and not to deteriorate into gossip-driven narratives that amplify negative stories.
“Our nation—and Cross River State—deserves
journalism that is balanced, courageous, constructive, and committed to truth”, he noted.
Moreover, “The Panorama” ” Magazine under the auspices of the Cross River State Journalists Forum, was unveiled by the chairman of the day, Sen. Owan-Enoh to mark the 2025 Crossjof Day in Abuja.
Meanwhile, Chairman of CROSSJOF, Comrade Francisca Ogar in her welcome address, noted that the CROSSJOF Day is set aside for journalists of Cross River State origin to converge under a common platform to ruminate on the progress and future of the state.
By virtue of our profession, we often find ourselves in rooms where these discussions are held either for the good of the entire nation or different clusters of people.
Ogar noted that owing to a wide range of issues from the high cost of living and unemployment to drug abuse,insecurity and gender-based violence bedeviling the country, CROSSJOF journalists as agenda setters and troubleshooters through effective decision-making, decided to go on afact-finding spree. Effective reportage is holding leaders accountable to the people by their mandate and campaign promises to the people.
She commended Sen. Jarigbe Agom and Hon. Peter Akpanke, who opened their doors to provide information on their constituency projects.
“It is worrisome that during our scorecard project, which saw us going around our elected leaders asking questions, only
Sen. Jarigbe Agom and Hon. Peter Akpanke opened their doors to provide information on their constituency projects.”
She said that the widespread discontent among Cross Riverians in some constituencies will prod CROSSJOF to keep speaking the truth to those in power and authority in the state.
Ogar also commended Gov. Bassey Otu’s led for administration for scoring a high mark in IGR.
“We appreciate the Prince Bassey. Otu -led administration for the positive news we hear in the area of internal revenue”, she said.
The Panorama, both online and offline, will serve as our tool for awareness creation, especially with 2027 in sight, Ogar assured.
The high point of the day was the presentation of the Award of Excellence to the Cross River State Gov. Prince Bassey, Sen. John Owan-Enoh, Etufam Hillard Eta, and others.
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