The Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, PhD, on Saturday received former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend Justin Welby, at Government House, Calabar, and later hosted him to a State Banquet at the Peregrino Hall.
Welby, the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury who served as leader of the global Anglican Communion from 2013 to 2024, is in Nigeria as part of efforts to promote interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and national development.
Speaking at the banquet, Governor Otu commended the former Archbishop for over four decades of engagement in Nigeria, describing him as a steadfast advocate of reconciliation, justice, and peace. He praised Welby’s commitment to fostering dialogue in conflict-affected communities and recalled his role in mediating the 2005 dispute between Shell Oil Company and the Ogoni people.
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According to the Governor, the former Archbishop’s life and ministry demonstrate that reconciliation remains one of the strongest tools for building peaceful and prosperous societies. He noted that Cross River’s rich ethnic and cultural diversity has been sustained through dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect among its people.
Governor Otu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive development, quality education, affordable healthcare, and social justice, stressing that no citizen should be left behind in the state’s development agenda.
In his remarks, Archbishop Welby reflected on his longstanding relationship with Nigeria, which began in 1978, and expressed confidence in the country’s immense human potential. He urged leaders at all levels to reject corruption and create an environment that enables talented, innovative, and hardworking Nigerians to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The former Archbishop also raised concerns over the growing wave of kidnapping and insecurity across the country, describing it as a serious threat to peace and progress. He called for urgent and sustained efforts to protect citizens, strengthen public trust, and promote lasting peace and stability throughout Nigeria.
