Former Senator, ex-Minister’s son appointed Commissioners in Cross River

Stephen Odey, a former lawmaker, sacked by the courts after six months as a Senator representing Cross River North in the National Assembly has been appointed Commissioner for Education.

He returned from the Senate to continue his job as Chairman of SUBEB under former Governor, Ben Ayade.

Governor Bassey Otu has also sworn in Ededem Ani, son of former minister of finance in late General Sani Abacha’s government, as the Commissioner for justice and attorney general of the state.

The former Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Eramus Ekpang as Commissioner for Information.

Dr Helen Agan Isamoh, one out of the six females screened, has been assigned the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs while Prince Eka William’s will handle Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy.

The state currently has 25 males and six female Commissioners, they were screened in three batches by the judicial committee of the Assembly headed by Davies Etta.

One female nominee, Mrs Gladys Eutendala was not lucky as she was dropped owing to an avalanche of petitions against her, according to Etta.

The six female commissioners include a Bishop, Margaret Ene-Ita, others are Dr Beatrice Igwe, Agnes Astu, Mrs Abigail Duke, Lawrencia Ita and Dr Helen Agan Isamoh.

Already, Women’s right groups have frowned that the governor has not respected the 35% affirmative action.