Senator B.E Otu: Farmer Banker, Politician, Humanitarian
Prince Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State is a seasoned politician, farmer, banker, and philanthropist. From 2011 to 2015, he served as a senator for Cross River State’s Southern Senatorial District, as well as a member of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011. Senator Otu’s brand of politics, which is defined by inclusivity, kindness, accessibility to people, and most significantly, the acceptance of defeat with magnanimity, has earned him the nickname “The Sweet Prince” in Calabar. Even though he no longer holds any political office, he has been able to maintain contact with the grassroots. His people can still enter through his doors. As a result, OurNigeria News magazine honored him with the Politician of the Year award.
“We got nominations for the Politician of the Year award from a variety of persons; the majority of them are currently serving senators and governors. Our Board, however, voted for Senator Otu after a thorough review of the nominated candidates.
Dr. Abubakar Mohamed, publisher of OurNigeria News magazine, remarked, “His brand of politics is exactly what Nigeria needs: politics without animosity, politics of empowerment and development for the common man on the street.”
Born on October 18, 1959, to late Elder and Mrs. Edet Okon Otu of Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. He grew up in Calabar, his hometown, and Jos, Plateau State, where his father was served under the Church of Scotland as an educationist. His father was the principal of the mission’s school in Calabar and later Jos.
He attended the University of Calabar and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He worked in the banking sector and then the petroleum industry before venturing into politics. The man is also a farmer, a vacation he took from his father. He owns a successful rubber plantation in Cross River State.
A CAREER IN POLITICS
In April 2003, Prince Otu was elected to the House of Representatives to represent Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, and in April 2007, he was re-elected. He was Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Vice Chairman of the House Committee on National Population, and a member of the committees on Power, the Ministry of the Niger Delta, Inter-Parliamentary Relations, Inter-Intra Party Relations, Environment, Water Resources, and Defense during this time (2003-2011).
The Most Distinguished Senator was elected to represent Cross River Southern Senatorial District in 2011. He was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance upon his entrance in the Senate, and afterwards the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and other Financial Institutions; he was also a member of the Committee on Navy, Power, Petroleum, and Water Resources. Many consider his impact in the Senate to be unprecedented to this day; his name is considered to be synonymous with human empowerment and societal growth. He has won numerous accolades on a local, national, and international level.
“I entered politics for the sake of serving humanity,” he says. This is undeniably accurate, as his life and record since 2003 have demonstrated that he meant what he claimed. Senator Otu lost his Senate election in 2015, but he has continued to serve his community outside of politics. His efforts to promote peace and conflict resolution, economic empowerment, granting of scholarships to the less fortunate in Cross River State, and willingness to put his own interests aside for the greater good of the state are examples for all politicians to follow.
STAND UP ON THE BAKASSI
In 2007, he stated that the International Court’s rulling that the Bakassi Peninsula belonged to Cameroon was incorrect, but that the task now was to rehabilitate displaced Nigerian kin and move on. Senator Otu spearheaded work on a draft amendment bill to reposition the Petroleum Technology Development Fund as a more effective vehicle for developing local content in the oil and gas industry as Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream). The Nigerian Content Development Act, which was sponsored by the Senator for Effective Delivery, has revolutionized the petroleum sector and put food on the table for many Nigerians.
He is happily married to Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, and they have two children together.
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Otu to the board of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2018.
His record of empowerment to the people of Cross River State includes the awarding of land papers and financial support to develop businesses and residential homes, as well as empowerment with motor vehicles, scholarships, and many other things. One of the characteristics that distinguishes this man is his consistency; in and out of political office, Mr. Otu has continued to assist and support the oppressed and the masses.
For successful delivery, the Senator also supported the Nigerian Content Development Act, which has changed the petroleum sector and put food on the table for many Nigerians.