Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu, has commiserated with family of Cassandra Legor Idagbor, wife of a former House of Representatives member representing Bekwarra, Obudu/Obanlikwu federal constituency, Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbor, over the demise of her father, late Chief Charles Effiom Duke.
Otu lauded the late music icon for grooming other young artists who had risen to stardom and become their own bosses in the entertainment industry.
Speaking at the concert night, which took place at the Dome Centre Calabar Municipality headquarters on Monday, the governor appealed to artists who had risen to stardom not to fail to provide their shoulders for upcoming artists to lean on when need be.
In his remarks at the reception ceremony which took place also at the Municipal Council, the Senator representing Cross River South senatorial district, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong Jr., in company of Senator representing Cross River Central, Jonas Eteng-Williams and Cross River State Assembly Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, described the late ace musician, Charles Effiom Duke, as a colossus who until his demise, made a lot of impact in the entertainment industry, including mentoring many.
The lawmaker encouraged Crossriverians with the desire to make thier strides in the entertainment industry to emulate the virtues of the late ace music icon.
“Late Father-in-law of the former federal lawmaker Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo was a colossus in the entertainment industry in Cross River State.
“Having mentored many notable musical artistes in the state, I prayed for peaceful repose of his soul.
“Chief Charles Effiom Duke is one man who had indeed left a legacy of creative excellence and has thus left indelible marks on the sands of time.”
Other distinguished personalities, who also lend their voices in eulogsing the late Chief Duke included Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Elvert Ayambem, Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Prince Eka Williams, among others.
They all celebrated the life and times of the late music maestro and decried the situation where rising musical and indeed creative talents do not have the needed mentorship and support to rise to the peak of their career.
Governor Otu, therefore, pledged his support for the bereaved family and encouraged artistes who have risen to the peak of their career to support others who are still rising.
