Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has appointed Mr. Orok Okon as the new Head of the State Civil Service.
Okon’s appointment, which takes effect on September 19, 2025, follows the retirement of Dr. Innocent Eteng, who has served in the position since September 2023.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Linus Obogo, Governor Otu praised Dr. Eteng for what he described as “a career marked by excellence, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the growth of the state’s civil service.”
The governor urged the new Head of Service to lead with vision and integrity. “Mr. Okon is expected to bring reform-driven zeal to the service, ensuring efficiency, professionalism, and accountability across the workforce. This administration is firmly committed to enthroning competent leadership at all levels of governance,” the statement read.
Dr. Eteng, during his tenure, introduced reforms such as the regularisation of casual staff, many of whom had served for years without recognition, and initiated a recruitment process to address vacancies created by mass retirements.
Before his elevation, Mr. Okon served as a Permanent Secretary in the state civil service, including a stint at the Ministry of Justice. With years of legal and administrative experience, he is now tasked with consolidating ongoing reforms.
“The civil service remains the engine room of government, and I expect Mr. Okon to build on the reforms already in place to deliver better service to the people of Cross River State,” Governor Otu emphasized.
The appointment is seen as part of the administration’s broader civil service reform agenda, which prioritizes merit-based promotions, improved workers’ welfare, and stronger governance structures.
