Paradise News

Tag: Cross River State

  • For things to get better in Nigeria, political leaders must be selfless – Prof Irefin

    For things to get better in Nigeria, political leaders must be selfless – Prof Irefin

     

    By Kelvin Obambon

    For Nigeria to attain all round prosperity, social and political stability, the country’s leadership at all levels must work according to God’s plan, and imbibe in themselves the virtues of love, peace and selflessness while discharging the tasks of governance.

    This was the view of His Grace, Archbishop (Prof.) David Irefin, international chairman of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) New World Missionary Crusade Fellowship.

    Irefin who stated this in Calabar on Saturday on the sidelines of the Fellowship’s 48th anniversary, declared that the crisis people are facing all over the world is as a result of man’s deviation from God’s ordained path, hence the New World Missionary Crusade Fellowship of the BCS has come to redirect people’s step towards the right track.

    “When you look at the whole world there’s nobody who is serving God, and that is responsible for what you are seeing, what you are hearing. Anybody who serves God must have peace. Before Adam committed sin against God did you hear that Adam was sick? Or Eve was sick? Did they complain about sun? About the rain? No. But since man fell from that grace, we started having problems. God is physically here now. If we don’t take this message to the world, the whole world will be destroyed.

    Read Also: Abuja American school has refunded $760k of Yahaya Bello’s children fees

    “The nature of the world is violence, fornication, stealing, killing, vengeance. This is why the world can never be stable. The owner of this earth has rules to guide us on how to live here. God did not create the world for violence and oppression. All the politicians and traditional rulers you see now are oppressing their people. The resources that’s available they claim it all to themselves. It is in their own interest to stop looting because very soon when the Holy Spirit will look at Nigeria the center will not hold.

    “When our Lord Jesus Christ came he demonstrated it and said that if you want to be a leader you have to be a servant. Christ never looked for his own good. He was looking for the good of the oppressed. God is sending us to go tell political leaders to stop what they are doing. They should work for the interest of their people. In a good state, until the least person has what to eat, a governor of the state is not supposed to think about what he’s going to eat. Just as in your house. If your children have not eaten, will you eat? No.

    “All the resources belong to all of us. So anybody who is to organize and allocate these resources must share it to everybody. But you cannot do it unless you are selfless and accept to practice the teachings of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, because it is basically on love for one another, forgiveness, humility, patience, long-suffering, mercy, tolerance and peaceful coexistence,” he said.

    The Archbishop, however, went on to highlight the achievements of the BCS New World Missionary Crusade Fellowship, to include bringing people together for a common good, creating awareness about the presence of God on earth, advocating for good governance, redirecting people to serve God, among others.

  • Hon Stanley Bassey Okon Nsemo Leads Efforts for Comprehensive Development Master Plan in Cross River State

    Hon Stanley Bassey Okon Nsemo Leads Efforts for Comprehensive Development Master Plan in Cross River State

    Hon. Stanley Bassey Okon Nsemo, representing Calabar Municipality, spearheads a landmark initiative to foster holistic development across Cross River State. Joined by esteemed co-sponsors including Hon. Kingsley Ntui, Hon. Samuel Neji Abang, Hon. Okon Nyong Owuna, Hon. Bassey Effiong Bassey, Hon. Charles Omang Omang, and Hon. Eyo Bassey, this coalition of dedicated leaders presents a visionary proposal aimed at charting a prosperous future for the state and its 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

    “Today, we stand at a critical juncture in our state’s history. It is imperative that we forge a path forward that is rooted in inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience to actualize the people’s first mantra,” remarked Hon. Nsemo during his impassioned address on the floor of the house.He outlined the following key points:

    a) The master plan is crucial for providing a roadmap for the state’s development over the next decade, ensuring coordinated efforts among stakeholders and steering the state in the right direction.

    b) It will take into account the specific needs and priorities of each Local Government Area, ensuring that development is tailored to the specific needs of each local community.

    Read Also: Court Orders Arrest of Former DG Of National Institute For Legislative And Democratic Studies

    c) The plan will enable the State to attract investment and development assistance from national and international partners.

    d) The master plan is necessary to address key challenges facing Cross River State, including the need to diversify the economy and create more sustainable sources of income.

    e) It will include a major focus on improving the state’s infrastructure, addressing another significant challenge in the State’s development.

    The proposed master plan will encompass all important areas such as Agriculture, Education, and Infrastructure. Furthermore, it will be designed to be flexible, allowing for investment to thrive and providing investors with the freedom to express themselves.

    This comprehensive blueprint will not only align developmental endeavors but also ensure synergy among stakeholders, fostering a unified approach to progress.

    Moreover, the master plan embodies a forward-looking perspective, aimed at diversifying the state’s economy and mitigating vulnerabilities stemming from over-reliance on oil and gas. Through strategic interventions and targeted investments, Cross River State endeavors to cultivate resilient economic foundations, capable of withstanding global fluctuations and encouraging sustainable prosperity.

    Hon. Stanley Bassey Okon Nsemo and his esteemed co-sponsors call upon the Cross River State Government, alongside relevant stakeholders, to rally behind this transformative initiative. With collective determination and strategic foresight, the envisioned master plan promises to herald a new era of progress and prosperity for Cross River State and its cherished communities.

    The People’s Media

  • Dr Janet Ekpenyong: Celebrating A Dynamic Humanitarian and Professional

    Dr Janet Ekpenyong: Celebrating A Dynamic Humanitarian and Professional

    It’s April 24th, the birth date of one of Cross River’s young and emerging leaders, Dr Janet Ekpenyong who currently serves as the Deputy Coordinator, National Cash Transfer Office Abuja.

    Dr Janet’s leadership journey isn’t one without history and dedication to duty, humility, selflessness, philanthropy and empathy to the masses.

    A trained medical Doctor with specialty in Health Financing from various institutes across Europe, Asia and the African Continent a knowledge she has deployed in the development of a functional health system locally and nationally.

    In her first state’s engagement as Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong brought remarkable reforms in the health sector, promoting dedication, hard work and effective service delivery in the grassroot.

    Read Also: Suspected armed robbers kill Kogi varsity lecturer

    She saw to the drastic reduction in maternal and child mortality, prevention and prompt attention to endemic diseases and the trust building between health workers and the community.

    Consolidating on her achievements in the Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong was subsequently appointed Commissioner for Health, Cross River State by the then Governor, Senator Ben Ayade where she offered both Health and Humanitarian supports to individuals, families, groups and organisations.

    Among many goodwill and humanitarian supports offered by Dr Ekpenyong is the notable rescue of a then mentally deranged middle aged woman simply known as Cassy who gave birth in a dump site around Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    Little known to the media or widely publicized is the fact that Cassy underwent rehabilitation in the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Calabar for months until she gained stability before she was finally reunited with her husband and immediate family in Benue state Nigeria, all these were facilitated by Dr Janet Ekpenyong.

    She remains a mentor to many young girls who intend to serve humanity with their purposes and crafts and well as life coach to many who seek guidance in the medical profession.

  • Skate-Athon: Govt Is Open To Initiatives That Will Positively Engage C’River Youths – SA Sports Devt

    Skate-Athon: Govt Is Open To Initiatives That Will Positively Engage C’River Youths – SA Sports Devt

     

    By Kelvin Obambon

    Cross River State Government will embrace any sport initiative that will positively engage the youths and take their minds away from social vices, while also channelling their energies towards worthwhile ventures.

    This assertion was made by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports Development, Hon. Ekanem Ekpenyong, when he received organizers of the upcoming Calabar Skate-Athon in his office in Calabar, on Monday.

    Being the first of its kind in Cross River and Nigeria as a whole, the Calabar Skate-Athon, the SA noted, would provide major take-aways for which the state could factor into the agenda of the Ministry of Sports Development, ably led by the dynamic Commissioner, Hon. Agnes Atsu.

    “We have a Governor that loves and speaks sports, and a very hard working Commissioner who is already executing the mandate of the Ministry of Sports Development meticulously. With this kind of leadership in place, we are looking into breaking new grounds in sports development. We are working to improve and consolidate what we already have on ground when it comes to sports. Your coming here to organize the Calabar Skate-Athon is a welcomed initiative. We hope to see the event create positive impact on our youths. The Governor places more premium on youth development through the instrumentality of sports and other value-driven enterprises.

    Read Also: Otu tasks newly sworn-in corps members on laudable community projects

    “Beyond this, we look forward to assess the value and impact the Calabar Skate-Athon can have on the state so that we will look into it and see how it can be incorporated into our sports development agenda. However, we’ll see to it that there is a conducive environment for you to organize the event successfully. In the end, we are optimistic of a win-win situation for you the organizers, the skaters and the state,” the governor’s aide stated.

    Earlier, Mr Daniel Damola, Chairman Board of Trustee of Nigeria Inland Skating and Chief Executive Officer of SRHD Sport Management, intimated that Skate-Athon is a skating championship that “we are bringing to Cross River State, just like His Excellency has given the mandate to the Honourable Commissioner of Sports Development to make sure that she spearheads sporting activities to bring about change to the youths of the state.

    “In light of that I think we have the mandate through the office of the Honourable Commissioner to partner and develop sports in Cross River State. Having done one event, “Calabar Go Dance”, we now move into other phases of our sporting activities for the good people of Cross River State. We are looking at so many sports we are bringing to the state, one of which is the Skate-Athon. Skate is all about people using special shoes to run on hard surface. They can use it for five aside football, hockey and so many other things.

    “Skate-Athon Calabar is the inaugural edition of combining all sporting activities in a particular location. We are also going to have skate marathon, whereby athletes will come from across the country and also from outside Nigeria to compete in Cross River. It’s a big event coming to the state. That’s the first of its kind in Nigeria,” he said.

    Damola who was represented by Mr Pedro Eyet, said that the event which is expected to hold between the 14th and 15th of June, 2024, will among other benefits, put Cross River on the world map and also consolidate its status as tourist’s destination.

    “It will bring immense benefits to the state. Sport in totality, whether known or unknown, if it is hosted in a particular place that it has not been hosted before, it will be remarkable to the indigenes of the state. The event will drive tourism and more awareness that the state is sports friendly. It will make people to know that the state is peaceful and also attract them to come and invest. Participants will be given prizes such as cash and other consolation prizes the very same day we conclude the event,” he said.

    Highlight of the visit was the presentation of the Calabar Skate-Athon branded t-shirt to the Special Adviser on Sports Development by Mr Eyet.

  • Otu tasks newly sworn-in corps members on laudable community projects

    Otu tasks newly sworn-in corps members on laudable community projects

    By Christian Njoku

    Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has tasked newly sworn-in National Youth Service Corps members in the state on laudable community development projects that would stand them out in their service year.

    Otu, made the call on Tuesday at the  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Obubura during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream II prospective corps members deployed to Cross River.

    Represented by Mr Odum Ukam, Commissioner for Youth Development, the governor assured the corps members of his commitment to ensure a conducive environment is created for them.

    Read Also: Anambra Assembly not in good terms with staff, PASAN tells Soludo

    According to him, “your swearing-in and oath taking marks the beginning of one year mandatory service to the nation.

    “You are expected to use the period to contribute to the socio-economic development of the communities you will be posted to serve and the state in general.

    “Therefore, I charge you to carry out laudable community development projects which would stand you out at end of your service period,” he maintained.

    He further advised the Corps Members to use the period to make personal sacrifices that will prepare them for the challenges of nation building.

    In his opening address,  Mr Andrew Zemoh, the NYSC Coordinator for Cross River congratulated the corps members for the success they recorded at their various institutions of higher learning which qualified them to be mobilized for the one year mandatory national service.

    Zemoh said that the three weeks Orientation Course was structured to prepare them for the task ahead, adding that they would be exposed to drills, and agility manoeuvres.

    He said there would also be leadership training, lectures on security and teaching assignments, including Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training Program.

    According to him, the programmes are aimed at preparing them both physically and mentally for post orientation life in their various places of Primary Assignments.

    He thanked the Government of Cross River for the various timely interventions carried out in the camp especially the recent ones at the multiple purpose Hall and the collapsed part of the perimeter fence.

    He however appealed to the Governor for renovation of the hostels to make the camp conducive for optimal use, and also provide another borehole to effectively address the current water challenges in the camp.

    (NAN)

  • C’River Targets 886,292 School-Age Children In 2024 Deworming Program

    C’River Targets 886,292 School-Age Children In 2024 Deworming Program

     

    …Urges Parents, Schools To Embrace Exercise

    By Kelvin Obambon

    All is now set for the flag off of the annual comprehensive state-wide, school-based deworming exercise to treat against soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and Schistosomiasis (SCH) that are particularly common in children, the Paradise News has confirmed.

    Speaking at a media parley with journalists at the NUJ Press Center, Calabar, on Tuesday, Pastor (Mrs) Veronica Mark, Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Coordinator, Cross River Ministry of Health, and Mr Toochi Ohaji, Senior Manager, Evidence Action, Nigeria, confirmed that the exercise will commence from Wednesday 24th to Tuesday 30th April, 2024 across 14 local government areas of the state.

    They affirmed that “Globally, over 1 billion children are at risk of intestinal worm infections. In Nigeria, over 48 million school-age children require treatment for STH infection and 16.6 million school-age children require treatment for schistosomiasis. These infections, known as intestinal worm infections result from poor sanitation and hygiene conditions and tend to have the highest prevalence in school-age children.

    According to them, “The infections can lead to anemia, malnourishment, and impaired mental and physical development—ultimately affecting children’s educational outcomes and income as adults if left untreated. These worms disproportionately affect the poor, who are less able to afford the costs of diagnosis and treatment. This will potentially increase the inequality gap that currently exists and derail the country’s development goals of equitable access to health and education.”

    Read Also: Police arrest three suspected kidnappers in Nasarawa

    Additionally, Toochi Ohaji explained that “Since 2016 in Nigeria, Evidence Action has been providing technical assistance to the Federal and Cross River State Governments on implementing school-based deworming for soil transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis in the state, delivering treatment to over 600,000 children in both public and private schools annually.”

    Continuing, Ohaji pointed out that “Treating at-risk children through schools is an evidence-based, cost-effective solution. Evidence Action as a partner fighting Neglected Tropical Diseases in Cross River state has been providing technical assistance in planning, capacity building, logistics, data collection and reporting, community mobilization, monitoring and supervision of the school deworming program for STH and SCH.”

    He, however, informed that “School-based deworming is implemented by the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) program of the Cross River State Ministry of Health in partnership with the State Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board, and the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency. Evidence Action provides technical assistance to the state’s integrated NTD program. Deworming drugs are donated through the World Health Organization’s drug donation program.

    “During this round of treatment in Cross River State, a total of 623, 828 school-age children will be targeted to receive Mebendazole tablets for the preventive treatment of STH and 173,000 will be targeted for Schistosomiasis treatment. About 1,000 health care workers will be trained to administer the deworming tablets in over 2,000 schools and 2,000 communities across 14 LGAs.”

    The Senior Manager of Evidence Action, therefore, urged parents, schools and other stakeholders to ensure that children and wards that are between the age of 5 and 14 are presented for deworming in their various schools, adding that even out-of-school children can be taken to schools nearest to them for deworming. He concluded by saying that the deworming tablet that would be administered is safe.

     

  • Photo News: Rt Hon Orok Duke Facilitates Release Of NDDC Palliatives To Cross River

    Photo News: Rt Hon Orok Duke Facilitates Release Of NDDC Palliatives To Cross River

    In ensuring that Cross River is not shortchanged in the allocation of resources and goods within the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the member representing the state in the interventionist agency, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, has facilitated the release of palliatives to cushion the devastating effects of flooding and the harsh economic situation on the people of the state.

    Our reporter who monitored the offloading of the palliatives which arrived Calabar, the state capital on Friday 19 April, 2024, reports that they comprise of bags of rice, bags of beans, sewing machines, toiletries, flip-flops, cartons of tomato pastes, blankets, mattresses, packs of vegetable oils, insecticide nets, cartons of tea, wheelbarrows, knapsack sprayers, disinfectants, packs of assorted beverages, toothpastes, insecticides, flashlights, cartons of seasoning cubes, cartons of noodles,  bags of salt, among others.

  • Ministry Discusses Rebranding Of Rovers FC, Pelican Stars With Galaxy Sport Development China

    Ministry Discusses Rebranding Of Rovers FC, Pelican Stars With Galaxy Sport Development China

    By Kelvin Obambon 

    Discussions are underway for the rebranding of Rovers Football Club of Calabar and the Pelican Stars FC, as the Cross River State Ministry of Sports Development explores partnership opportunities between it and a renowned international firm, Galaxy Sport Development.

    During a meeting with officials of the sport outfit in Calabar on Wednesday 17th of April, 2024, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu, highlighted that the partnership is a step towards executing the task assigned to the ministry by the state governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu, to “reactivate, revamp and rebrand Rovers FC and Pelican Stars.”

    She recalled that “these two clubs had been teams that the whole Nigeria, and even people outside Nigeria knew so much about. His Excellency the Governor came on board and gave a marching order for us to see how we can take back the glory of the teams. That glory was for the state and Nigeria at large. Today you cannot count football giants from Nigeria without mentioning one, two or three that came out of Rovers. The state is open to any kind of idea that will bring development as it has to do with sports.”

    On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports Development, Mr Ekanem Ekpenyong, thanked Galaxy Sport Development for coming to partner with the ministry.

    Read Also: NOUN Graduates Can Now Go For NYSC Scheme, Law School As Tinubu Directs Inclusion

    He described as laudable the idea upon which the partnership would thrive. While seeking clarifications on issue bothering on funding, the SA noted that most times the actualization of lofty idea is hampered by funding.

    Meanwhile, the team lead, Dr Samjeh Oscar informed that the partnership with Galaxy Sport Development would bring benefits, not just to the ministry but the state as a whole.

    On the thrust of the partnership, Samjeh explained that Galaxy Sport Development would provide linkages and collaborations that would enable Rovers FC and Pelican Stars to participate in the 2024 edition of the Shenyang Peace Cup, an International Juvenile Football competition in China, where outstanding players could be signed by clubs and part of the proceeds return to the ministry to sustain the development of the Calabar Rovers and Pelicans Stars FC.

    Continuing, he said the event which would take place between 12 and 18 August, 2024, “is organized annually with teams from Africa, Asia, Europe and America. It involves a lot of international football businesses and other investment opportunities. Scouting teams come in there to pick players and contract them to play in their club sides. It’s one of the biggest football festivals so far. If we want to rebrand Rovers, we must give them this international exposure so that some of them can be picked out and contracted.

    “There will be continuous support from Galaxy Sport to these two teams in terms of providing them with kits, technical support, training and still give them international exposure so that the clubs can stand on their own and become self-sustaining.”

    He added that beyond the sport aspect, the competition also provides Cross River the opportunity to establish business connections with companies in China, because according to him, officials from other government ministries and agencies with developmental projects would also be part of the contingent that would travel to China.

    Expatiating on how the partnership would be funded, Samjeh confirmed that Galaxy Sport Development would take care of the visa processing since it is the only firm accredited for Nigeria for the 2024 International Juvenile Football Shenyang Peace Cup Tournament by Chinese government to scout for participating teams from Nigeria, while he advised strongly that other financial obligations should be borne by interested corporation organizations operating in Cross River as their corporate social responsibility.

    Additionally, the director of sports and finance, Galaxy Sport Development, Mr Patrick Agena, disclosed that other states in Nigeria such as Kano, had key into the partnership, where youths from the state had been taken to China for the Shenyang Peace Cup competition.

    “They are there. Some of them are still on scholarship in China as we speak. Udenu local government in Enugu state, the chairman there brought in Galaxy Sport, we took their youths to China too. Right now Galaxy Sport has an academy of its own in Nigeria. There are lots of testimonies all over the place on how we have taken these youths to China. Right now we have about seven players who are playing in different clubs in China because of this competition,” he said.

    Agena further disclosed that the contingent that would be taken to China for the competition would comprise of 16 players, 4 officials from each club and 5 other officials from government ministries who would who explore foreign direct investment opportunities and development partnerships for Cross River State with investors and the Chinese Government on the sidelines of the competition.

    “We will bring our scouting team to work with the ministry to select the best players from the grass root across the 18 LGAs in Cross River State and they should be ones that we know when they go out there they will attract international agents. The selection will be devoid of politics. All we are saying here is sports business to make the ministry self sustainable,” he stressed.

    In attendance at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development, Mr Samuel Egbala; State Director of Sports, Mr Ita Moses; managements of Rovers Football Club and Pelican Stars FC, among others.

  • Senator Otu inspires me to contentment, resilience – New APC scribe

    Senator Otu inspires me to contentment, resilience – New APC scribe

    …Says Party’ll be propelled above adverse effects

    Newly appointed State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State, Pastor (Hon.) Patrick Asikpo Okon has described his political trajectory as a product of contentment and resilience inspired by the tutelage and mentorship of the State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu.

    Pastor Okon also said during his tenure as the State Secretary of the party he will be committed to the implementation of strategic plans that reform the political process while working with the Government in areas that align the best interest of the Cross River people.

    Presenting an address shortly after his inauguration last weekend,Pastor Okon said “I stand before you today, humbled and grateful, not just to the Almighty God for the gift of life and this momentous day, but also to His Excellency the esteemed Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu. His mentorship has taught me the virtue of contentment and the power of resilience. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”

    He emphasized that though the political process is replete with eroded values and is marked by desperation and cunning devises which compound the challenge of leadership, yet the mission to truly transform the polity “has led us to admire individuals of high moral standing;who rise above the deceit and the duplicity often found in politics.”

    Read Also: Please help me bring my son’s body for burial here in Rivers state

    The APC Scribe said by reason of integrity, perseverance and dedication to the course of transforming the polity,the new responsibility assigned him, though seemingly impossible, will be turned around.

    “As your State Secretary,I pledge to implement strategic plans of action for the benefit all. I will work hand-in-hand with the party and the Executive Governor of the state to ensure that our actions and decisions align with the best interest of our people,” he maintained.

    Furthermore, he said, he is out to serve with integrity and promote effective management principles while working with the State Chairman and other Exco Members to oversee the daily operations of the party, and ensure that “we stay true to our principles and objectives.”

    While pledging his unwavering loyalty to the Governor, the Party Scribe affirmed his commitment and support to the Sen. Otu led administration particularly in its dedication to inclusive governance adding that during his tenure,he will promote ideals and programmes that will bring out the full potentials in the youths and the women.

    The APC Chieftain called for more support and cooperation with the present administration stating that “the transformative leadership of our Governor has not only brought about positive change but has also broken barriers, inspiring countless individuals especially our youths, to strive for excellence and assume leadership roles.”

    He expressed confidence that the party will continue to wax stronger; rise above adverse effects and stand out as a force to reckon with.

  • Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture, Prof Shiyam, lauds gov Otu’s strategic agricultural devt initiative

    Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture, Prof Shiyam, lauds gov Otu’s strategic agricultural devt initiative

    …Enumerates giant steps already in motion

    By Mark Eneng

    The Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture, Prof. John O. Shiyam, has commended the laudable and innovative Agricultural Development initiatives of Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu. He made this known upon his assumption of office. According to the University Don, Prince Bassey Otu has kept his pledge through massive investment in the sector, by developing a strategic roadmap and enunciating strategic policies and initiatives, to boost Agricultural production in the State.

    In an official address, the renowned Professor of Agriculture, Prof. Shiyam, enumerated several achievements and policies put in place for the People’s First administration to bring about Agricultural advancement in the State.

    “Cross River State government under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, has demonstrated strong commitment to better the lives of the people through his People’s First Development Agenda Since he assumed office, massive investment in key agricultural value chains for which the state has relative advantage.

    “To achieve achieve this objective, the government has prioritize agriculture in recognition of key potentials in catalyzing  economic transformation, food and nutritional security, wealth creation, employment generation and rural livelihood improvement and agro-industrializaton.”

    Read Also: A single girl living alone is not a wife material – Nigerian man says

    Some of the Successes enumerated includes setting machinery in motion to upscale oil palm and cocoa production as well as introduction of coffee farming in the state.

    Other initiatives are;
    Establishing the Commercial Agriculture Development Fund christened ‘project grow’.

    Validated Cassava Value Chain Development Policy.

    Embarked on the development of the State’s Strategic master plan for Cocoa, Oil Palm and Coffee value chains.

    Allocation of 100,000 hectares of arable land for commercial farming across the State.

    Procurement of 108 units of tractors to ease land development for commercial farming.

    Actively keyed into the World Bank projects (SAPZ, RAMP, FADAMA project, APPEALS project, L-PRES etc) for the benefit of the entire state.

    The Senior Special Adviser also stated that these efforts are already yielding fruits, as many high network investors have already indicated serious interest to collaborate with the state government in the area of agriculture, noting that in no distant time, Cross Riverians will begin to benefit.

    He further enjoined all hands on deck to give  Governor Otu, the needed support to succeed.