By: Solomon Azu, Calabar

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has pledged strong support for the development of Cross River State, with particular focus on the health and agriculture sectors.

Speaking at a state banquet held in his honour in Calabar, Adesina outlined plans to revitalise primary healthcare in the state and improve its agricultural productivity. He said the AfDB would help create a more digitally connected healthcare system, enabling efficient access and portability of health records across facilities.

“We will ensure primary healthcare centres are not only revitalised but digitally linked to enhance health service delivery,” Adesina said.

He also highlighted the bank’s ongoing investment in agriculture through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), which he described as a game-changer for the state’s economic transformation. The SAPZ initiative, he noted, is expected to catalyse regional industrial growth and elevate Cross River’s role in the agricultural value chain.

Adesina praised the leadership of Governor Bassey Otu, commending his emphasis on infrastructure and good governance. He also expressed strong support for the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, a collaboration between Cross River State and AfriExim Bank, which he said could position the state as an industrial processing hub for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.

In his response, Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving economic independence and reducing reliance on federal allocations. He identified three core areas—security, food security, and energy security—as key to unlocking sustainable development in the state.

“These priorities are essential for ensuring long-term growth and stability in Cross River,” Otu said.

He revealed that the state had made significant progress in reviving dormant assets, which had, in turn, boosted investor confidence. He noted ongoing efforts to expand cocoa and cassava production and integrate Cross River into economic corridors with neighbouring Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

Reflecting on his recent time away from official duties, the governor said he felt rejuvenated and ready to accelerate the state’s development. He also thanked his deputy and cabinet members for their leadership during his absence, attributing the state’s progress to divine guidance.

In a welcome address, former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, lauded both Adesina and Governor Otu for their visionary leadership. He described the governor as a “turbocharged developer” and hailed Adesina as “Africa’s number one technocrat,” referencing his contributions to agricultural innovation, including the introduction of the electronic wallet system for farmers.

“The synergy between these two leaders holds immense promise for inclusive growth across Africa,” Duke added.

The event reaffirmed the deepening partnership between the AfDB and Cross River State, with both parties committed to accelerating the state’s development agenda.