March 25, 2027
The President of Cross Riverians in the Diaspora, CRID-USA, Chief Jacob Oroks, alongside the Global Secretary, Hon. Ignatius Oli, on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Sen. Professor Stephen Odey, Esq., at the Ministry of Education Headquarters in Calabar. The visit was aimed at formally inviting the Commissioner to the upcoming CRID-USA Convention scheduled to hold in Ontario, USA.
Speaking during the visit, Chief Oroks noted that following their global engagements, regional bodies have been established to strengthen international presence and foster unity among Cross Riverians abroad. He further emphasized that a key focus of the convention will be the role of cross-cultural engagement within the diaspora in advancing education and promoting cross-cultural studies. He stressed that meaningful contributions can only emerge from shared knowledge, collective capacity, and a unified vision, while reaffirming the organization’s commitment to building strategic collaborations for the development of Cross River State.
In his response, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, Esq., warmly received the CRID-USA delegation and expressed appreciation for the visit and invitation. He remarked that the Governor of Cross River State remains deeply committed to the welfare of Cross Riverians both at home and in the diaspora. He cited initiatives such as the free registration of WAEC for indigenous students, alongside other impactful programmes, as clear evidence of the administration’s dedication to transformation in the education sector.
The Commissioner described the engagement as fruitful, commended the vision and mission of CRID-USA, and acknowledged the invitation to attend the convention. He further called on all Cross Riverians, both at home and abroad, to actively support the developmental efforts of the current administration.