By Ike Uchechukwu, Calabar

The initiator of “Think Cross River”, Com. Edem Darlington has revealed that the initiative seeks to reawaken the spirit of patriotism and the consciousness of Cross Riverians as well as galvanize support for the government.

Darlington who made the revelation while briefing newsmen in Calabar, on Wednesday, said it was part of the Initiative’s effort to reposition the minds of the people to think patriotism, Unity all in a bid for a more progressive Cross River.

He explained that “Think Cross initiative” was beyond branding but a major advocacy tool for the government to promote the rich tourism potential, as well as highlight various viable business and investment opportunities abound in the state.

The initiator who doubles as the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu noted that at the core of the “Think Cross River initiative” encapsulates the message of patriotism, love for one another, prosperity, collective responsibility and social justice for all which invariably brings growth and development.

His words “If you are patriotic, you won’t take up arms against your neighbour. If you are Thinking Cross River there is no way you will see something going wrong around your neighbourhood and you won’t call the security agents.

” If you are Thinking Cross River, there is no way you will see someone trying to enter your neighbour’s house and you won’t call the police. We are just trying to promote peace, promote unity, promote peaceful coexistence.”

“It is no news that Cross as a state has a very friendly people. We are naturally very hospitable; and so that is the very first attraction for any serious business or investor.

“For a long while we have remained the most peaceful state in the country; and so naturally, Cross River is the darling of every investor who actually wants to put his money and make real gains from it.

“So this tool is to promote everything about Cross River, and also, very importantly, to call on all Cross Riverians to join hands with the governor, Sen. Bassey Otu and promote what he is doing, support the current administration and also promote everything that has to do with Cross River State.

“It is a tool to unite Cross Riverians, so whether you are from Cross River or you are living in the state, it doesn’t really matter, but the fact that you are doing business or living here means that you are a Cross Riverian and our governor will always say that.

“Think Cross River is a tool to unite us as a people and ensure that we are all part of what the government is doing by way of protecting government facilities around your locality, and ensuring also that we keep our environment clean because everything cannot be about government.

“We as a people are also part of what the government is doing. We are also part of the government. So the actual responsibility must begin with us. It must begin with us. Think Cross River is a tool to galvanize all forms of support for the current administration and even beyond this current administration.

Darlington also used the opportunity to commend Governor Bassey Otu for his giant strides in infrastructural development, payment of gratuity to pensioners and ensuring relative peace and security in the state.

He lauded the Governor for always putting the People First in all his agenda and making sure he delivers on all his promises as and when due.

Speaking further, he assured CrossRiverians that they would see more deliverables from the government in no distant time as more dividends would be unveiled adding that the current administration was not only willing bit eager to make life easier for the ordinary CrossRiverians whether in the Southern Part, Central or Nothern Senatorial districts.