Let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like Cross River State is invisible in Nigeria. We’re here, we matter, we have a lot going for us, but when it comes to national discussions, whether it’s in the news, on social media, or even in Abuja, it’s like the state does not exist.
And I don’t mean that in a bitter way. It’s just the reality. We don’t hear our issues being discussed, we don’t see enough of our projects getting federal attention, and unless there’s some crisis, nobody seems to remember us.
But here’s what’s frustrating: we have so much to offer. Obudu Cattle Ranch is still running and still one of the most beautiful places in Nigeria. Tinapa is still functional, even if it’s not what it used to be or what we hoped it would become. These places could be massive game changers for tourism and business in Nigeria, not just Cross River. Yet, they’re rarely in the news, and investment in them is too quiet, too slow.
To be fair, the current government is trying. Governor Otu’s “People First” approach is beginning to show. We’ve seen efforts to clean up the civil service, revamp agriculture, and bring a sense of order back into governance. You can tell they’re trying to rebuild trust and lay a better foundation, and honestly, that’s refreshing.
But the bigger issue is beyond just the state government. Nationally, Cross River is too often left out of the conversation. Whether it’s budget allocations, federal projects, media attention, or political appointments, we’re not being carried along the way we should be.
And I have to ask: why? Is it because we’re too quiet? Are our representatives not speaking loud enough in Abuja? Are our journalists not pushing our stories into the mainstream the way they should? Or have we just accepted this silence as normal?
Because let’s not forget this used to be the pride of Nigeria. People came from everywhere for the Calabar Carnival. Tinapa was supposed to be our answer to Dubai. Obudu Ranch was, and still is, one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in West Africa. We were known for peace, for beauty, for hospitality. That Cross River is still here; it hasn’t disappeared, but it needs to be seen again.
What we need now is not just development, but visibility. We need our voices to be louder. We need lawmakers who will shake tables for our people. We need media houses and storytellers who won’t wait for tragedy to spotlight our state. And we need young people, especially our vibrant youth to start taking up space, speaking up, and pushing back against this invisibility.
Cross River is not a small state. We are not a forgotten people. But if we don’t raise our voices, Nigeria won’t remember us.
Let’s change that.
