Mercy Ogbene Kasetima has penned a powerful tribute to Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, the current Cross River State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), celebrating his support, integrity, and mentorship during some of the most challenging periods of her life.
In a deeply personal Facebook post, Ogbene recounted how her relationship with Barr. Eba began during her time as a student at the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), when she nearly dropped out due to financial hardship. At the time, Eba served in the Due Process and Price Intelligence office and, upon hearing her story, offered much-needed guidance and reassurance.
“I was devastated and broken… I remember you asking, ‘Ogbene, do you really want to go back to Yala?’” she recalled. That simple question, she said, became a turning point that inspired her to keep fighting.
Even after school, as she sought employment at the Nigerian Navy Hospital, Eba’s mentorship remained steady. He continued to reach out with words of encouragement and messages of hope, never failing to respond to her calls or texts.
When it was time for marriage, she brought her husband to him for blessings and advice. True to character, Barr. Eba offered guidance without judgment or expectation qualities Ogbene believes are rare among politicians.
“A regular politician would have first wanted to take advantage of a young lady who was already frustrated… but you never did,” she wrote. “You encouraged me to work and not give up.”
Describing him as a man with a “golden heart,” she praised his humility, accessibility, and moral strength. “You have earned my utmost respect and have been a very reliable person through this journey,” she added.
As the APC Chairman continues to climb the political ladder, Ogbene concluded her tribute with prayers for greater opportunities and divine favor: “May Elroi open more doors, keep you in good health, and grant you access to people and information you never thought possible.”
