Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, recently urged traditional leaders to instill the virtues of hard work, respect, and honesty in the youth within their jurisdictions, emphasizing the importance of these values in fostering a value-driven society. The governor made this call during a courtesy visit by the Obong of Calabar Executive Forum (OCEF) to his office in Calabar.
He highlighted his administration’s commitment to promoting good governance as a means to reward diligence and productivity among the youth and future generations. He also expressed his administration’s focus on bolstering the agricultural sector as a key strategy to uplift Cross River State economically, citing agriculture as the pathway to the state’s prosperity.
The governor outlined plans to prioritize agriculture across the three senatorial districts, with a focus on cultivating cash crops such as cassava, cocoa, coffee, and oil palm. Additionally, initiatives will be implemented for the revitalization of aging cocoa, palm, and other estates in the state.
In his address, Otu emphasized the importance of training and retraining farmers to adhere to international best practices in agriculture, revealing plans to provide support to smallholder farmers through schemes and grants, with the government acting as the off-taker for agricultural produce.
He encouraged youths to redirect their energies towards meaningful endeavors, envisioning a future where self-reliance through agriculture renders traditional pursuits like political appointments and white-collar jobs less appealing.
Acknowledging the visit by the OCEF delegation, Governor Otu expressed gratitude for their insights and ideas, affirming that their contributions align with his administration’s ‘People First’ manifesto. The chairman of OCEF, Chief Gershom Henshaw, conveyed the Forum’s appreciation for the governor’s efforts in enhancing Calabar’s cleanliness and greenery.
The OCEF serves as an advisory body in the palace of the Obong of Calabar, representing the interests of the Efik nation.
IMAGE: punch
