Tell Cross River’s Story Accurately to Attract Investment, Deputy Governor Charges Journalists

The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Peter Agbe Odey, has appealed to journalists to “tell Cross River’s story right,” urging the media to support the state’s economic agenda through accurate and strategic reporting.

He emphasized that credible, balanced coverage of the state’s reform efforts, investment-ready projects, and growth potential could reshape perception and draw both local and international capital Speaking at a recent media engagement initiated by the state government in collaboration with journalism bodies, Odey described the press as a vital partner in driving investment across sectors such as tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and the blue economy. He announced that the state is assembling a pipeline of investible projects and preparing to launch international outreach, including a planned investment summit targeted at the diaspora and global investors later this year The deputy governor also called for capacity-building, transparency and collaboration between government and media houses. He proposed regular briefings, improved access to project documentation and training for journalists so that reporting is data-driven and solution-oriented. According to him, shining a light on public–private partnerships and successful local enterprises can help generate jobs and boost Cross River’s revenue base Media stakeholders responded positively to the call, describing it as timely amid efforts to reposition Cross River’s image beyond past negative headlines. Analysts note that consistent, contextualized reporting paired with timely delivery on promised projects can reduce information barriers that often discourage investment. The government reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing engagement with media organizations such as the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and reiterated its invitation to investors and the diaspora to participate in the state’s investment-promotion activities.