Tinkoriko: Calabar Heritage at 33, Pledges Support for Governor Bassey Otu and President Bola Tinubu Ahead of 2027 Elections

Ordinarily, we would not respond to unfounded criticisms that are baseless, factually inaccurate, about the operations of government institutions and the objectives of Tinkoriko.

However, having read the comments that followed the post by Onoyom, we consider it necessary to respond—not because Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke is afraid of criticism, but because it is disturbing to see a number of young and older Cross Riverians embrace some of the assertions in the post, apparently without a proper understanding of how government institutions, particularly the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), operate.this 

It is within everyone’s right to act stupidly sometimes, but the likes of Onoyom, Francis Ekpenyong and Joe Edet, are abusing that privilege, obviously.

Let us therefore put some facts on the table:

Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke is a part-time member of the NDDC Board, representing Cross River State. He is not the Managing Director of the Commission or an Executive nor does he personally control the NDDC budget or have the authority to unilaterally award contracts, purchase transformers or divert government funds to any community of his choice.

The NDDC is creation of Law, an institution with established administrative, financial and procurement processes. Board members operate within those institutional structures.

That distinction is important.

Yet, within the limits of his office, Duke has consistently used his position and influence to facilitate opportunities for Cross Riverians.

Since assuming office, he has facilitated employment opportunities for young Cross Riverians in the NDDC and other relevant government agencies and institutions. He has also facilitated opportunities for training, skills acquisition and empowerment for youths and women.

There is no Local Govt Council in Cross River State that does not have NDDC projects. Either you will have roads, solar lights,or refuse bins etc.

And Hon Duke has only served for about two years in office. More projects would definitely come.

And there is something important about Rt. Hon. Duke's personality that perhaps his critics have not understood: He is not the kind of politician who believes every intervention must become a media event.

The fact that an individual has not personally benefited from an intervention does not mean that the intervention did not take place. One’s personal experience is not necessarily the totality of the experience of Cross River State.

We encourage anyone genuinely interested in assessing Duke's performance to look beyond social-media narratives and ask the right questions, verify the facts and engage with the beneficiaries of the various interventions.

“ If you stop to throw stones at every rabid dog that barks at you, you may never get to your destination.”

...AND THEN THERE IS TINKORIKO:Calabar Heritage.

It is equally important that we address the attempt to present Tinkoriko as though it were simply an avenue for spending money that could otherwise be used to provide transformers or execute government projects.

That is a fundamental misunderstanding of what Tinkoriko represents.

Tinkoriko predates Duke's appointment to the NDDC Board, and it will outlive that appointment

Tinkoriko is a cultural institution and social platform that has existed for decades. Its purpose goes beyond entertainment.

It provides a platform through which young people express themselves, celebrate their creativity, ventilate their social experiences and participate in communal life, while simultaneously preserving and promoting our cultural heritage.

Culture is not the enemy of development.

A society needs infrastructure, employment, education and healthcare. But it also needs identity, culture, social cohesion and platforms through which young people can connect and positively express themselves.

That is part of development too.

Furthermore, Tinkoriko itself has a history of giving back to society.

Over the approximately 30 years of its existence, Tinkoriko has supported **more than 500 young people through various interventions, including skills acquisition, job placement, scholarships, empowerment initiatives, health assistance and humanitarian support.

Tinkoriko has also maintained a scholarship programme and a welfare structure for its members.

These interventions may not always make headlines, because the philosophy has never been about blowing our own trumpet.

Slowly and steadily, we have continued to contribute our quota to society.

Beyond entertainment and cultural expression, Tinkoriko has also played a role in strengthening relationships within communities and promoting peace and security.

Similarly, let us not create a false choice between cultural development and physical development.

Cross River needs both.

We need roads, electricity, water, schools, healthcare, jobs and economic opportunities.

But we also need to preserve the culture, history and traditions that distinguish Cross River from every other place.

Tinkoriko is here to stay.

It has survived for decades before the NDDC appointment of Rt. Hon. Orok Duke. It has continued to evolve alongside changing times, and it will continue to grow, improve and become bigger and better in the years ahead.

ON LEGACY

The critic is correct about one thing: public office is temporary, but legacy is permanent.

Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke understands this perhaps more than most.

His approach has never been to make noise about every intervention or turn service into personal publicity.

His philosophy is simple: Criticism is healthy for democracy. Informed criticism is even better.

Let us therefore debate issues with facts, engage institutions with knowledge and demand accountability without deliberately misrepresenting the responsibilities of public office holders.

Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke remains committed to using his position, influence and platforms available to him to contribute to the development of Cross River State, the Niger Delta and the communities he serves.

The work continues. 

And Tinkoriko:Calabar Heritage has come to stay and will support Governor Bassey Otu and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 Governorship and Presidential polls.

Orok Otu Duke Media