By Balimwor Ekpe
The Cross River Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has granted Miss Arit Abam, an ex-corps member, automatic employment in the state civil service for honouring her father’s sacrifices to give her higher education.
Miss Arit Anam returned to her father’s thatch house in their village and filmed herself marching towards him; with a military-style salute, she thanked her father and handed over both her NYSC jacket and cap to him.
She posted the video on social media, with a touching note of gratitude and a charge to youths not to be ashamed of their humble backgrounds; which eventually went viral.
Recall that Governor Umo Enoh of Akwa Ibom State, touched by Arit’s expression of gratitude and the story of the father’s sacrifice to see his child through school, recently sent a delegation to Ugep, Yakurr local government area of Cross River State for some background check. Upon the team’s verification of the story, Mr. Eno pledged to build a three-bedroom flat for Mr Abam and family as recognition of his sacrifices.
Governor Bassey Otu lauded Governor Umo Enoh’s gesture towards Arit Abam – an exemplary young Cross Riverian – noting that it confirms the bond between the two sister states.
He hosted Arit in his office where he charged youths in Cross River State and beyond to emulate such acts he described as “worthy of reward.”
A graduate of Mass Communication from Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, Arit expressed thanks to Governor Otu for his magnanimity, which she sees as an encouragement toward maintaining cultural standards and values, while acknowledging God for earning goodwill through a simple act of gratitude.
Governor Otu gave Miss Arit the privilege to choose any ministry, department or agency she would prefer to work with within the state civil service.
The Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Prof. Owan Enoh and the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Bishop Margaret Ene-Ita were both mandated to reach out to the Ex-corps member which they did and escorted her before the State Governor.
