The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has appealed to organised labour in the state to reconsider its planned two-day warning strike.

The industrial action is scheduled to commence at midnight on Sunday, 24 November, and continue until Tuesday, 26 November 2024.

The labour unions initiated the strike in response to the government’s delay in implementing the new wage structure in the state.

Governor Otu, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, made the appeal during the 5th edition of the State Solemn Assembly held on Saturday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

The theme of the Solemn Assembly, Ebenezer – A State Helped by God, set the tone for the event.

In his message to the workers, the governor stated:
“Governor Otu prioritises the welfare of the workforce. In light of this, I appeal to the leadership of organised labour, along with all affiliates of the NLC and TUC, to suspend their planned state-wide strike. I enjoin them to support the Governor in his quest to improve the lot of our people.”

The governor also highlighted the progress achieved since the inception of the Solemn Assembly and reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a better Cross River for the benefit of all citizens.

In his homily, the guest preacher and founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, delivered a message on the theme, “Every Food Is Not for You.” He emphasised the importance of distinguishing between needs and greed:
“Every food is not for you. We have enough for our needs, but there will never be enough for our greed.

“What he says to one, he says to another. It is easy to sit back and say the pastor is telling them.

“But in that small office where three persons share one workspace, and there is a file that has to move from your table to another, and you insist on being given a thousand naira before moving that file—remember, every food is not for you.

“There are things that will come to you, and you must say, ‘This is not for me,’ or ‘This can’t be me.’”