Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu has spoken of his decision to pay more attention to investment in agriculture, saying that agro revolution is the way to go under the current economic conditions.
While receiving the Obong of Calabar Executive Forum (OCEF) at his temporary office in Calabar, Otu also tasked the traditional institution in the state to do all with their power to inculcate the values of hard work, respect and honesty in the youths within their domain, stressing that it was the only way to ensure a value-driven society.
According to him, “as a government, we are doing all we can to make sure we change the narrative of things. We are looking at agriculture as our main focus. It has become clear that agriculture is what would get Cross River out of the woods.”
He said his administration would plough heavily in agriculture across the three senatorial zones, as cash crops such as cassava, cocoa, coffee and oil palm would be cultivated, stressing that plans would be made for the regeneration of Cross River’s aging cocoa, palm, and other estates.
He expressed optimism that his agro-revolution would serve as a springboard to re-launching the state into an economic prosperity.
According to the governor, “we intend to train and retrain farmers to be abreast of international best practices in agriculture. For instance, small holder schemes and grants would be made available for beneficiaries, with government serving as the off taker to farmers’ agricultural produce.”
He charged elders, parents and guardians to contribute meaningfully to the value re-orientation of the younger generation, noting that an end must be put to the instant gratification syndrome which has eaten deep into the fabric of today’s society.
Otu called on the youths to gird their loins and channel their youthful energies to meaningful ventures, pointing out that “in no distant future, when the ongoing agricultural revolution begins to yield results, the pursuit of political appointments and white-collar jobs would become unattractive as Cross Riverians would have become self-reliant green millionaires.”
He thanked the OCEF delegation for their visit, just as he appreciated their far-reaching ideas during the visit. He said their resourceful inputs will contribute immensely in advancing his administration’s ‘People First’ manifesto.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Obong of Calabar Executive Forum (OCEF), High Chief Gershom Henshaw, expressed gratitude to God for crowning Governor Otu to lead the charge for a new Cross River state.
Henshaw also conveyed the appreciation of the Forum, the Obong’s palace and entire Efik nation for the governor’s efforts in restoring Calabar’s clean and green splendor.
The Forum, however, appealed for the holistic upgrade of the infrastructure and outlook of the city of Calabar to include the Calabar South local government area.
