Church Leaders Meet with the First Lady of the Cross River State, Nigeria

On 9 February 2024, leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with the first lady of the Cross River State in Nigeria.  Rev Eyoawan Edet Otu welcomed the delegation from the church in her temporary office in the Dan Archibong Lodge, in Calabar, Nigeria.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss collaboration between the state government and the Church of Jesus Christ in addressing the education and social welfare needs of the citizens of the Cross River State.  The first lady had previously attended a BYU-Pathway Worldwide commencement ceremony in Calabar.

Representing the Church was Elder Victor O. Bassey, and Area Seventy, President Akwaowo Joseph of the Calabar North Stake, President Alex Nkoro of the Calabar Nigeria Stake, and President Samuel Ukoha of the Calabar South Stake.  Also attending the meeting was Christian Onovughe, Manager of Self Reliance for the Uyo Coordinating Council, and Bishop Castro Ezama of the Essien Town Ward.

In his address to the First Lady, Elder Victor O. Bassey commended the state government for visionary and pragmatic leadership noting that " this has ushered in positive developments and progress in the land for which the citizens of the Cross River State are most grateful for."

The Area Seventy said the Church is interested in the progress of young people and has used education as a major tool to fight poverty, crime, and illiteracy in the society.

He said that "The Seminary and Succeed in School programs have been initiated for the junior and senior secondary pupils to fulfill the church vision to provide religious and educational support for students. He pointed out that "the after school Succeed in School programs, now being piloted in the Cross River State, are open to members and non members and have been initiated to address the deficiencies in the core subjects of mathematics, English language, and life skills.”

He noted the incredible growth of the BYU-Pathways Worldwide program in Nigeria, said that as many as 10,000 students from Nigeria would enroll in this program in 2024. BYU-Pathway Worldwide offers a readily accessible path to earning a spiritually based university degree completely online at an affordable price.  

Brother Onovughe shared some of the humanitarian projects that the Church has initiated in the Cross River State.  He noted that the Church recently donated wheelchairs to the Akamkpa General Hospital and has provided child nutrition programs throughout the area.

While welcoming the Church leaders, the first lady pledged her willingness to partner with the Church on important educational and social welfare projects.  She thanked the Church for previous humanitarian efforts in the State.

" My pet projects are tailored towards providing humanitarian and welfare supports for the needy and less privileged with a view to touching lives and changing stories,” said the first lady. “I am therefore ready for a robust synergy with groups and organizations like yours with similar vision and passion.”

She also urged the Church leaders to,” showcase your programs to the public and further acquaint and enlighten the citizenry on projects of this kind and others to engender public participation and realization of set goals.  We will seek further areas of collaboration with the Church when we get information especially on programs initiated by you to equip our youth with relevant skills to promote self reliance and job creation".

The Cross River State is in the south eastern area of Nigeria.  The capital is Calabar and their are four million residents of the state. The Church of Jesus Christ has seen significant growth in this area with four current stakes in Calabar.