Otu’s Wife Empowers Sweepers, Honours Idol Star in Calabar

Jul 23, 2025 - 13:10
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Otu’s Wife Empowers Sweepers, Honours Idol Star in Calabar

By Judex Okoro 

In a rare display of grassroots compassion and empowerment, the First Lady of Cross River State, Bishop (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Otu, has rolled out a multi-tiered empowerment programme for street sweepers working under the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA), while also honouring a young music talent who made the state proud on the national stage.

At a well-attended reception in Calabar, Bishop Otu applauded the sweepers for their tireless efforts in keeping the city clean , a commitment that has earned Calabar its status as the cleanest city in Nigeria.


 She described the gesture as a token of appreciation for their sacrifice and service.


 “You are the unsung heroes behind our clean and beautiful city,” she said. “This administration is not only proud of you , we are also committed to supporting your welfare and economic upliftment.”

In partnership with Zenith Bank and First City Monument Bank (FCMB), the First Lady launched a POS business scheme, distributing 30 POS machines with start-up capital to a first batch of beneficiaries drawn from CUDA's workforce.

Beyond financial empowerment, over 200 women received bags of rice, wrappers, and cash gifts as part of the initiative. Bishop Otu assured the women that this was only the beginning of many support programmes aimed at uplifting the most hardworking but often overlooked segment of society.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ekanem Asuquo, Zonal Manager of Zenith Bank, commended the First Lady for her compassionate leadership and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to grassroots development through strategic partnerships with the state.


 “We are proud to partner with the state to ease the burden on everyday people and support economic inclusion,” Mrs. Asuquo stated.

Adding her voice, Mrs. Ayi Etim, Executive Secretary of CUDA, described the reception as a major morale booster for the workforce.


 “This recognition has lifted the spirits of our staff in ways words cannot express. It tells them their efforts are seen and valued. We are grateful to Her Excellency for this show of love,” she said.

Also speaking, the Commissioners for Women Affairs, Social Welfare, and Humanitarian Affairs expressed appreciation for the First Lady’s unwavering focus on women’s welfare, especially in the areas of gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices, and economic empowerment.

The event’s highpoint came with the surprise recognition of Mikki, a young gospel singer from Cross River who recently made it to the finals of the Nigerian Idol competition. Bishop Otu presented him with a brand-new car and a cash gift of ₦2 million in appreciation of his exceptional performance and for being a shining ambassador of the state.

In separate interviews, several of the women sweepers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the First Lady and pledged to continue working diligently to keep Calabar green and clean.


“We never imagined we would be honoured like