Author: The Nation

Cross River Governor Bassey Edet Otu at the weekend said the award of a Doctorate (Honoris Causa) by the Modibbo Adama University, Yola as well as The Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year was a charge on him to do more. 

He dedicated the two awards to Cross Riverians at home and in the diaspora and partners who have contributed to the state’s progress.

Otu won both laurels on the same day with the prestigious The Sun Newspaper award coming on the heels of the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at a colourful ceremony at the Eko Hotels and Event Centre, Lagos.

“This award is dedicated to all Cross Riverians, both home and abroad, and to everyone who has worked to take us to where we are today,” Otu said amid loud cheers from supporters who accompanied him to the event. “I deeply appreciate the love and support. I love all of you.”

Expressing gratitude to The Sun Newspaper, the Governor described the honour as both a recognition of collective effort and a renewed call to greater service, noting that the awards initiative has, over the years, promoted excellence and national development.

“From the deepest of my heart, I bring you very warm felicitations from the good people of Cross River State,” he said. 

“The sustainability of this Sun project has added value to Nigeria’s development. Over the years, I have watched closely and observed that most recipients of this award have contributed meaningfully to building Nigeria’s future.”

Governor Otu commended the leadership of The Sun Newspaper for sustaining the tradition, praising its Chairman for providing a platform that inspires public office holders and private sector leaders to remain committed to service and national growth.

“This is truly a call for greater service, and I believe it will further strengthen the commitment of all awardees to what they are doing,” he added.

The Governor described the recognition as an affirmation that his administration’s efforts across key sectors in Cross River State are receiving national attention, stressing that the honour would further energise his government to deliver more dividends of democracy.

“This recognition shows that what we are doing in Cross River State is being seen and appreciated. It gives us even more momentum to do better,” he said, adding that “as we move towards our third year in office, we are working across all our thematic areas with renewed energy. We are committed to building a greater Cross River State and contributing to a bigger and better Nigeria.”

Several prominent Cross River indigenes attended the ceremony in solidarity with the Governor and warmly congratulated him on the achievement, expressing sheer goodwill and pride in his leadership.

 They included the Deputy Governor Peter Odey; Speaker Elvert Ayambem; Senators Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Asuquo Ekpenyong and Eteng Jonah Williams; members of the House of Representatives and House of Assembly; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Emmanuel Ironbar; members of the State Executive Council, popular music sensation, Nyanya Mbuk; and other dignitaries.

Family members, friends and church faithful on Friday gathered at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, for the funeral Mass of Lady Oladunni Grace Otitoju.

She was 63.

She was the wife of a former Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Culture, Sports and Social Development, Sir Kayode Otitoju, and was also mourned by professional colleagues and associates who came to pay their last respects.

The solemn Mass, marked by hymns, scripture readings and tributes, celebrated the life of a woman widely described as compassionate, devoted to family, service-oriented and deeply rooted in her Catholic faith.

Late Oladunni Grace Otitoju (née Ogunniyi) was born on November 16, 1962, in Ido-Ani, Ondo State, as the second child of her parents. 

Her father, Mr Cornelius A. Ogunniyi, was a teacher and church pianist from Alade, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, while her mother, Mrs Comfort B. Olateru, a registered nurse from Owo, rose to the rank of matron at the General Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State.

From an early age, Oladunni showed a deep love for music and singing, a passion that later found expression in church service. 

She was a foundation member of the choir at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki, where she worshipped with her family. 

Family members recalled that part of her childhood was spent in Owo under the care of her grand-aunt, fondly called Mama Eleni, who nurtured her and her elder sister with affection and discipline.

The Gospel reading for the funeral Mass was taken from John 11:21–27, where Jesus declares, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” 

Drawing his homily from the passage, the Parish Priest, Rev. Msgr. Pascal Nwaezeapu, urged Christians to hold firmly to their faith in the resurrection, even in moments of deep loss.

He described the late Oladunni as a woman who lived a life of faith, service and love, noting that death, for believers, is not the end but a transition to eternal life. 

“Our consolation,” he said, “is in Christ who assures us that whoever believes in Him, even though he dies, shall live.”

In an emotional tribute titled, “Fare Thee Well, My Jewel of Inestimable Value,” her widower, Sir Kayode Otitoju, described his late wife as his partner, best friend and unwavering support system of nearly 45 years.

According to him, they first exchanged marital vows on April 25, 1981, at the Marriage Registry, Mapo Hall, Ibadan, and later solemnised their union on January 2, 1999, at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos.

“Our love story blossomed into an extraordinary union,” he said, adding that the marriage was blessed with five children , Tosin, Kunmi, Taiwo, Kehinde and Femi Otitoju, all alumni of Howard University, Washington DC, and two grandchildren.

Sir Kayode noted that his wife’s legacy lives on through her service in the Nigerian Ports Authority, where she worked for nearly 25 years, her contributions to the Church of Divine Mercy Choir, the Lekki Farms, and her active membership of the Knights of St. Mulumba and Ladies of St. Mulumba.

“She was exceptional as a wife, mother and grandmother. Her kindness, compassion, innovation and courage touched many lives,” he said.

The first child of the deceased, Oluwatosin Otitoju, in a reflective tribute, described his mother as diligent, nurturing and multi-talented, recounting her devotion to family life, her professional career and her spiritual growth.

Condolence messages poured in from prominent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi, current Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), Ekiti State APC Chairman Shola Eleshin, and several leaders of the Knights of St. Mulumba.

In his message, the Immediate Past Supreme Knight of KSM Nigeria, Sir Charles Mbelede, prayed for God to grant her eternal rest, while the Grand Knight of KSM Lekki Sub-Council, Sir Chuka Onwuchekwa, described her death as shocking and prayed for divine comfort for the family.

The funeral Mass was officiated by Rev. Msgr. Pascal Nwaezeapu, assisted by Fr. Stephen Nnama, Fr. Philip Sosu-Mobee, Fr. Anthony Onyema, with the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, Lekki, also in attendance.

Late Lady Oladunni Grace Otitoju passed on Saturday, November 22, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, six days after her 63rd birthday. She is survived by her husband, five children and two grandchildren.

On Thursday , a service of songs was held at the church ahead of the burial, attracting family members, friends and associates who came to celebrate her life in hymns and worship.

Those in attendance were adorned in colourful adire attire, the chosen dress code for the service, in honour of the late Oladunni Grace Otitoju’s love for the traditional fabric.