By Faridat Salifu
The Cross River Cocoa Allocation Committee has congratulated Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, on his receipt of two national honours conferred on the same day, attributing the awards to the governor’s agric sector reforms.
Governor Otu received an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) from Modibbo Adama University, Yola, and was named Governor of the Year by The Sun Newspaper.
The chairman of the committee, Cosmas Ebori Nku, who expressed the congratulations, described the honours as recognition of the governor’s leadership approach and policy direction, particularly his administration’s renewed focus on agriculture as a driver of economic growth in the state.
He said the revival and expansion of cocoa production, including the establishment of new plantations across different parts of Cross River State, has helped restore confidence in the state’s capacity to re-emerge as a major agro-export hub.
The chairman said the expansion of cocoa cultivation beyond traditional producing areas has created new opportunities for farmers, youths, and rural communities while strengthening agricultural value chains.
Nku noted that the agricultural initiatives reflect an inclusive development approach that prioritises productivity, food security, and grassroots participation in economic growth.
He said the national recognition aligns with growing attention on the state’s development trajectory under the People First governance philosophy of the Otu administration.
Nku commended the governor for dedicating the awards to Cross Riverians at home and in the diaspora, describing the gesture as a reflection of collective leadership.
On behalf of the Cross River Cocoa Allocation Committee, he reaffirmed support for the state government’s agricultural agenda, expressing confidence that sustained investment in agribusiness would enhance economic resilience and long-term development.