Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has been honoured with the ‘Best Governor Award in Food Security’ at the Africa Food Heroes Awards held on Thursday in Abuja.
The event, organised by the Centre for Agropreneurship and Green Economy, recognises individuals and organisations driving progress in agriculture and food security across Nigeria.
Speaking at the ceremony, Balaraba Abdulahi, a member of CAGE’s board of trustees, described the awards as a moment for national reflection, stressing that agriculture remained a cornerstone of Nigeria’s long-term economic resilience and food independence.
Ms Abdulahi explained that CAGE established the honour to spotlight governors, policymakers, farmers, researchers, and agripreneurs who are contributing significantly to Nigeria’s ongoing agricultural reforms.
“CAGE’s evaluations show that the governors have achieved major milestones, including the wide distribution of farm inputs to thousands of farmers and the rehabilitation of critical access roads.
“They have also promoted staple crops such as rice, maize, cassava, ginger and wheat, alongside export commodities like cocoa and oil palm.
“Innovative programmes, including Cross River state’s Project Grow, the Commercial Agriculture Development Fund, and partnerships with research institutions and NGOs, exemplify forward-thinking approaches to food security and sustainable economic development,” stated Ms Abdulahi.
She added that independent reviews indicated progress across the states honoured, including improved input distribution, upgraded feeder roads, enhanced dry-season farming, and strengthened value chains for key crops such as rice, cassava, maize and cocoa.
According to her, the interventions have opened new markets for smallholder farmers and enhanced rural livelihoods, particularly benefiting women and young people.
Ms Abdulahi also commended the federal government for policy reforms and collaborations that reinforce state-led agricultural programmes and support broader national food stability.
She noted that the award highlights a shared dedication to establishing resilient food systems capable of withstanding climate-related, economic and security pressures.
Receiving the award on behalf of Governor Otu, the commissioner for agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo, dedicated the achievement to God.
He applauded the organisers for what he described as a “transparent and democratic selection process”, saying the recognition would further encourage inclusive development efforts.
Mr Ebokpo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural policies and infrastructure to boost food production and secure food availability for residents. He added that the honour would motivate the state to intensify its pursuit of a robust and sustainable agricultural sector.
