By Asuquo Cletus
The African Development Bank Dr Akinwumi Adesina has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Cross River State’s development agenda with a major focus on healthcare and agricultural transformation.
Adesina noted that the initiative is as a result of the Governor Edet Otu’s leadership, style towards developmental partnership
Speaking at a state banquet held in his honor in Calabar, on Thursday, the AfDB President, unveiled a raft of support measures aimed at revitalizing the state’s primary healthcare delivery system and accelerating agricultural productivity through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) initiative.
Dr. Adesina lauded Governor Bassey Otu for what he described as “passionate, action-driven, and accountable leadership,” noting the governor’s strides in infrastructure and economic reforms.
“With what Governor Otu has accomplished in partnership with Afrixem Bank on the Bakassi Deep Seaport, Cross River is on its way to becoming a major logistics and industrial processing hub—not just in Nigeria, but across West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea,” Adesina stated.
On the health front, he pledged AfDB’s backing for the revitalization of primary health centers and the expansion of the state’s health insurance scheme.
He emphasized the need for digital connectivity in health facilities, enabling seamless access to health records and promoting efficiency. He also recommended a franchise-based model to ensure sustainable and widespread access to healthcare services across the state.
Describing the SAPZ as a game-changer, Adesina expressed excitement about the economic prospects it holds for the state, positioning it as a catalyst for agro-industrial growth and job creation.
In his remarks, Governor Otu reiterated his administration’s resolve to achieve economic independence through a three-pronged strategy of security, food security, and energy security. “We are reclaiming and revamping dormant state-owned assets. This has greatly enhanced investor confidence and repositioned Cross River as a premier investment destination,” he said.
Governor Otu also highlighted efforts to expand agricultural output, particularly in cocoa and cassava, while fostering regional integration with neighboring Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. He humorously remarked that his recent vacation left him feeling “younger and more energized,” ready to accelerate the pace of development.
Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke, who delivered the welcome address, praised the convergence of visionary leadership. He hailed Governor Otu as a “turbocharged developer” and described Dr. Adesina as “Africa’s number one technocrat” and a “divine pathfinder,” citing his legacy in agricultural innovation, including the introduction of the electronic wallet system for farmers.
Duke concluded by commending the synergy between the two leaders, calling their partnership a beacon of inclusive growth and transformation for the continent.
