Eugene Upah|4 August 2016
Cross River is a state blessed with human and natural gifts from time immemorial. The state boasts of high profile men and women of the academic, legal and business industry. Just like Las Vegas in the United States, the serenity and welcoming atmosphere of the state is what stands it out from other states of the federation. Tourists mostly from the western part of the world, enjoy the hospitality the state offers, especially during the summer seasons.
Apart from being the tourist and hospitality hub of West Africa,
*Calabar, Cross River State was the first capital of Nigeria.
*First Army Barracks in Nigeria (Akim Barracks) was built in Calabar in 1903.
*First game of Football in Nigeria was played at Hope Waddell Training Institute in 1902.
*First game of Crickets in Nigeria was played at Hope Waddell Training Institute in 1903.
*First Nigerian indigenous Inspector General of Police (Louis Edet) from Calabar.
*First Nigerian World Boxing Champion, Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey (1956).
*First hospital in Nigeria, St. Margaret's Hospital, Calabar.
*First Supreme Court in Nigeria (present day Court of Appeal).
*First town were missionaries landed (1846).
*First state with a cable car, Canopy walkway, and the biggest national flag in West Africa…and lots more.
The state, unarguably, is the bedrock and cornerstone of Nigeria’s recognition in the international domain listing. One can boldly affirm that the state has a name in each of Nigeria’s quota of professionals. In the law sector, for instance, Kanu Agabi, Joe Agi, Paul Erokoro, to mention but a few are SANs who have performed exceptionally well and left landmark achievements for junior members of the bench to emulate. In Medicine, the likes of Dr. Sama Ekpo Sama, Dr. Philip Okwuji Etc. (now of blessed memory), have had their names written in gold in the health sector. In politics, one wouldn’t need to be reminded about nationalists like Dr. Joseph Wayas, late Chiefs I.I Murphy, M.T Mbu, (Mrs.) Margaret Ekpo, Okoi Arikpo, Samuel Imoke, Prof Eyo Ita, D. O Enang, to lists only a few.
Cross River state is blessed with one of the best brains in the academia. Apart from Western Nigeria, Cross River is blessed with more erudite and prominent scholars than any other state one can mention from the south.
Calabar, the Cross River State capital, is a town that is very popular outside the shores of Nigeria. Anyone with a clear knowledge of the state will actually affirm that, truly, Cross River State is the People’s paradise.
Eugene Upah
Is a Social Commentator
simplyeugenik@gmail.com
