July 24, 2026
The Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, Esq. has reaffirmed the critical role of citizens’ participation and feedback in shaping government policies, describing it as the foundation for sustainable educational transformation and good governance.
Senator Odey stated this while delivering a keynote presentation as a distinguished speaker at the Political Advocacy Summit held in Calabar, organised by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Content Development and Archiving Beatrice Akpala, The summit, themed “The Role of the People in the People’s Government: Institutionalizing the Feedback Mechanism,” brought together government officials, political leaders, stakeholders, and citizens to promote participatory governance under the People First agenda of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
Speaking on the topic, “Beyond the Classroom: Institutionalizing Citizens’ Feedback as the Catalyst for Educational Transformation in Cross River State,” the Commissioner highlighted key reforms introduced by the Ministry of Education since 2023, noting that the administration has consistently placed citizens’ feedback at the centre of policy formulation and implementation.
He explained that the reforms, which include improved school infrastructure, teacher development, digital transformation, free WAEC registration, the closure of illegal schools, and strengthened quality assurance, have been driven by Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s commitment to listening to the people and responding to the needs of learners, teachers, parents, and communities.
Senator Odey stressed that quality education can only be achieved through collaboration between government and citizens, assuring that the Ministry will continue to strengthen feedback mechanisms, enforce standards, invest in infrastructure and teacher capacity development, and deepen digital innovation across the education sector.
He concluded by calling on citizens to actively participate in governance through constructive feedback while urging public servants to remain responsive, accountable, and committed to delivering efficient and people-centred services.
The event also featured the launch of Volume One of the Content Development series, marking another significant milestone in the state’s commitment to strengthening educational content and curriculum development.
The summit was attended by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey PhD representing the Governor Senator Dr. Bassey Edet Otu; representatives of the Wife of the Governor Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Itam Bassey Otu, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Sylvester Agabi, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State, Professor Francisca Bassey, the Chairman of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service, Prince Edwin Okon, APC State officials, government appointees, and other distinguished stakeholders.