Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has vowed to clamp down on fake tax collectors and touts extorting money from widows and small-scale traders, describing their actions as “heartless and unacceptable.”

Speaking during a special gathering of widows at the State Library Complex in Calabar to mark his 66th birthday, Otu said the state government would soon take firm action against individuals and groups exploiting vulnerable women in markets under the guise of collecting levies and tolls.
“We have devised a mechanism to receive complaints directly from you,” the governor said. “Those who have extorted widows will be made to refund every kobo. The era of taking advantage of the poor in the name of revenue is over.”

Visibly moved by the testimonies of widows who survive through petty trading, Otu assured that his administration would prioritise their welfare as part of its social support framework.
He emphasised that widows deserve dignity, protection, and government support.
“You have suffered enough. Your husbands may be gone, but God has not forgotten you, and neither has this government,” he said.

To mark the occasion, the governor gifted N100,000 to each widow in attendance, a gesture that drew cheers and prayers from the crowd.
Otu also reflected on the role of women in nation-building, describing them as “the backbone of every family and the strength of the nation.”

He said his decision to celebrate with widows instead of hosting a grand party was deliberate, to remind public officials of the importance of compassion and accountability.

“This administration will always stand by the vulnerable. Our government is doing everything humanly possible to cushion the effects of the harsh economy on ordinary citizens,” Otu added.
The leader of the widows, Mrs Uduak Spencer, thanked the governor for his generosity, noting that “an average of one man dies daily, leaving behind a widow,” and lamenting that few leaders remember the plight of women who bear such losses.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Felicia Eyaba, commended the governor for “choosing to share his birthday joy with those often forgotten by society.”

In her remarks, the governor’s wife, Mrs Eyoawan Otu, expressed delight at the turnout and thanked the women for their prayers and support for her husband’s administration.