Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has been honoured with the Best Governor Award in Food Security at the Africa Food Heroes Awards, a recognition celebrating outstanding contributions to agricultural development and food sustainability across the continent.

The award, organised by the Centre for Agropreneurship and Green Economy (CAGE), highlights Gov. Otu’s strides in strengthening food production, empowering farmers, and enhancing agricultural value chains in Cross River State.

Receiving the award on behalf of the governor, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo, said the honour reflects the administration’s commitment to building a resilient and prosperous food system. He dedicated the award to God and pledged that the state would “intensify efforts to further boost agricultural productivity.”

CAGE cited several milestones under Gov. Otu’s leadership, including the broad distribution of farm inputs, rehabilitation of rural access roads, promotion of staple crops such as rice, maize and cassava, as well as export crops like cocoa and oil palm. Key initiatives such as Project Grow, the Commercial Agriculture Development Fund, and partnerships with research institutions and development agencies were also recognized for their impact.

Independent assessments referenced at the event pointed to improved food production, better market access for smallholder farmers, and strengthened value-chain activities across the state.

The ceremony also featured agricultural experts and academics who underscored the importance of climate-smart farming and rural development in tackling food insecurity. Other state governors and the Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, were also honoured for various contributions to the sector.

Gov. Otu’s recognition positions Cross River State as a notable player in Nigeria’s push for food security, signalling growing confidence in policies aimed at boosting productivity and supporting rural livelihoods. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.