CRS Solemn Assembly: Unjust Ceding of Oil Wells takes Centre Stage

By Kingsley Agim

Christians in Cross River have held a solemn assembly to seek God’s divine intervention as the State prepares to revisit the unconscionable ceding of the State’s 76 oil wells to neighboring Akwa Ibom.

The event, themed “Cross River: It’s Time to Reclaim Your Lost Glory,” held recently at the Millennium Park in Calabar, brought Christian faithfuls together for supplications over the affairs of the State.

Speaking at the event, the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong described the ‘Bring Back Our Oil Wells’ initiative as “laudable” and reminiscent of the ‘can-do spirit’ she advocates for, while averring that the retrieval of the State’s Oil Wells is a possibility.

“When it appears all is lost, we are reinvigorated to say we cannot lose it all; there is still an avenue for retrieval of whatever is lost. This is the spirit that we must all embrace,” Mrs. Archibong added.

The ex-information boss commended the ‘Bring Back Our Oil Wells’ Director-General, Ambassador Jerry Odey and his team for their dogged effort towards the cause, maintaining that “it is a fallout of the enterprise spirit inculcated in Cross Riverians by Governor Ben Ayade.”

Also speaking, Government House Chaplain, Reverend Father Patrick Eneyo stressed on the importance of laying the ‘Bring Back Our Oil Wells’ foundation on God, believing that “with God all things are possible.”

In his remarks, the ‘Bring Back Our Oil Wells’ Director-General, Ambassador Jerry Odey, called for the review of the unjust ceding of the Cross River’s 76 Oil Wells to Akwa Ibom, describing the 2012 judgment as “a travesty of justice.”

Odey maintained that while the State seeks reclamation of her Oil Wells, Cross Riverians will continue to belief in the saying by the iconic American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. that “the arm of the moral universe still bends towards justice.”

The Solemn Assembly also had in attendance dignitaries, clergymen and groups; notably, Bishop (Prof.) Mike Okom, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Apostle David Ogaga of Zion Embassy Church, Pastor Augustine Philip of Living Glory Gospel Centre,Former SA – Religious Affairs, Calabar Municipality, Venerable Augustine Oqua, Pastor Agnes Usang, the Coordinator, Cross River Prays, Mrs. Catherine Agba.

Others were Rev. (Mrs.) Mercy Akpama, Members of Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI), National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter, the African Church Choir, and students.