CROSS RIVER STATE SECURES AFDB SUPPORT FOR HEALTH AND AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has committed significant investment support for the health and agricultural sectors in Cross River State.

During a state banquet held in his honor, Dr. Adesina praised Governor Bassey Otu as an action-oriented and accountable leader. He shared ambitious plans to enhance primary healthcare delivery, in addition to ongoing investments tied to the launch of the Special Agro Processing Zone project.

He commended Governor Otu’s leadership, noting his dedication to infrastructure development and highlighting the collaboration with Afrixem Bank on the Bakassi Deep Seaport project. This initiative positions Cross River State as a key logistics and industrial processing hub for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.

On healthcare, Dr. Adesina promised to back the revitalization of primary health centers and the state’s health insurance efforts. He emphasized the importance of connecting healthcare facilities digitally to facilitate easy access and portability of health records. He also recommended a sustainable, franchise-based model for healthcare delivery to enhance nationwide accessibility and quality.

Looking to the future, he expressed enthusiasm for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative in Cross River, labeling it a transformative project for the state’s economy.

In response, Governor Otu reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering economic independence and reducing reliance on federal funding. He outlined three strategic priorities: security, food security, and energy security, as crucial for sustainable development.

Governor Otu shared that numerous inactive state-owned assets are being recovered and revitalized, which is boosting investor confidence and positioning Cross River as an appealing investment destination in Nigeria. He also mentioned efforts to link the state with regional economic corridors involving Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, while enhancing agricultural productivity through large-scale cultivation of cocoa, cassava, and other crops. Reflecting on his recent vacation, he humorously noted feeling “younger and more energized” to accelerate the state’s transformation and expressed gratitude to his deputy and cabinet for their support during his absence, describing the state’s progress as divinely guided.

Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke, welcomed guests at the banquet and highlighted the confluence of visionary leadership. He characterized Governor Otu as a “turbocharged” developer committed to infrastructure and economic growth. Addressing Dr. Adesina, Duke praised him as “Africa’s number one technocrat,” recognizing his groundbreaking initiatives, including the electronic wallet for farmers and his contributions to agricultural transformation across the continent.

He commended both leaders for their shared vision and commitment to inclusive development, referring to Dr. Adesina as a “divine pathfinder, illuminating Africa’s future.”