Otu Appoints Orok Okon as Cross River Head of Service

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has approved the appointment of Mr. Orok Okon as the new Head of the State Civil Service.

The appointment, which takes effect from September 19, 2025, follows the retirement of Dr. Innocent Eteng, who bowed out after decades of service.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Linus Obogo, the governor commended Eteng for his exemplary career, describing him as a symbol of commitment and professionalism.

Otu urged the new Head of Service to demonstrate integrity, vision and reform-driven leadership in order to consolidate ongoing reforms in the civil service.

“The new Head of Service is expected to foster efficiency, professionalism and accountability across the public service. This appointment underscores our administration’s commitment to strengthening governance for optimal service delivery to the people of Cross River State,” the governor said.

Dr. Eteng, who was appointed in September 2023, introduced several reforms, including the regularisation of casual workers and plans to recruit new personnel to fill vacancies created by mass retirements.

Until his elevation, Okon served as a Permanent Secretary in the state civil service, including at the Ministry of Justice. With years of legal and administrative experience, he is expected to sustain and deepen reforms across the state bureaucracy.

The development reaffirms Governor Otu’s pledge to reposition the civil service as the engine room of governance in Cross River State.