By Mary Ochim
The Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has emphasized the importance of professional protocol, diplomatic etiquette and effective conference management in strengthening governance and ensuring the successful hosting of high-level official engagements.
Governor Otu stated this on Monday at the Protocol Training Workshop organized by the Office of the Chief of Protocol, Office of the Governor, held at the State Library Complex, Prince Otu Hall, Calabar.
The Governor, who was represented at the event by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said the theme of the workshop, “Professional Protocol, Diplomatic Etiquette and Conference Management: Building the Capacity of Protocol Personnel for Effective Coordination and Successful Hosting of Events,” was both relevant and strategic to the aspirations of the state.
According to the Governor, Cross River State is increasingly positioning itself as a destination for high-level government engagements, investment drives, national conferences and international events, and therefore must maintain the highest standards of professionalism in its official engagements.
“As a government, our People First agenda is not just about policies and projects; it is about people, and it is about excellence. How we receive our guests, how we host our events, how we conduct ourselves in official engagements speaks volumes about who we are as a people and as a government,” Otu said.
He noted that beyond roads, buildings and budgets, what investors and visitors will remember is the impression created through organization and hospitality.
Governor Otu described protocol as not a mere administrative function, but an essential instrument of image building, diplomacy and effective governance, stressing that when protocol is done well, government looks coordinated and respected.
He explained that modern protocol has gone far beyond the traditional idea of receiving dignitaries, adding that it is now a specialized profession that requires sound judgment, discretion, emotional intelligence, discipline, strategic planning and a good understanding of institutional hierarchy and diplomatic practice.
“A competent protocol officer must be observant, proactive, courteous and composed. You must be able to anticipate situations and solve problems before they become obvious. Professional discretion is not optional, it is a fundamental requirement,” he stated.
On diplomatic etiquette, the Governor said Calabar, with its historical significance as a former capital of Nigeria and its status as the nation’s tourism capital, remains a window through which many international visitors see the country, hence the need for conduct that reflects international standards.
He charged protocol officers to pay attention to proper display of flags, observance of ceremonial procedures, correct use of titles, recognition of precedence and appropriate seating arrangements.
On conference and event management, Governor Otu noted that successful events do not happen by chance but are the result of deliberate planning, effective coordination and attention to detail, including timely invitations, confirmation of attendance, venue inspection, program scripting, security coordination, media engagement and logistics management.
The Governor said his administration has been deliberate about repositioning Cross River as a preferred destination for tourism, investment and institutional collaboration, adding that sustaining the progress requires capable personnel in every sector, including protocol.
He said capacity building is therefore not an option but a necessity, assuring that his administration will continue to invest in training, welfare and tools to improve performance.
According to his Chief Press Secretary Mathew Okache, the Speaker urged participants to see the workshop not as routine government activity but as an investment in their professional growth and the future of the state, while commending facilitators for sharing their expertise.
Earlier, the Chief of Protocol to the Governor, Mr. Slyvester Abang, in his welcome remarks, said the workshop was organized to equip protocol officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies with modern skills required for effective coordination and world-class event hosting, in line with the Governor’s People First mantra.
The workshop drew protocol officers from across MDAs, resource persons, and senior government officials.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Governor, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, commended Governor Otu for prioritizing human capital development and charged participants to be discreet in appearance but indispensable in performance.
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