Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to boosting the agriculture sector, emphasizing the need for smallholder farmers to transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
Speaking at the 2024 Leboku New Yam festival, Governor Otu, represented by his deputy, Mr. Peter Odey, said, “The interest of the government in the Leboku New Yam festival is to encourage young people to go into farming and encourage small scale farmers to grow bigger.”
He highlighted initiatives to support commercial agriculture, including the procurement of machinery for large-scale production of key crops. “My administration is poised to sustain the momentum of the event and even surpass its achievements.”
Governor Otu commended the traditional leader, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, for maintaining peace in his domain, saying, “Records have shown that since the enthronement of Obol Eteng, inter-communal harmony, peace and socio-economic development of the Yakurr people have increased.”
The festival, attended by dignitaries and Yakurr people from within and outside Nigeria, featured prize presentations for the best yam harvester, Miss and Mister Leboku pageant winners, and others.