Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has reiterated his administration’s desire to transition the state from subsistence agriculture to agricultural mechanisation.
Otu made the call at the 2024 annual Leboku New Yam festival of Yakurr people on Thursday in Ugep, with the theme: “Community mobilisation for sustainable growth.”
Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, the governor, said the state had procured light and heavy-duty machinery to enable agricultural entrepreneurs to embark on large-scale production of rice, cassava, oil palm, cocoa and yams to ensure food security in the state.
Speaking further, he commended the Paramount Ruler of Yakurr and Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Eteng, for maintaining peace within his domain, adding that records showed that since his enthronement, there had been harmony and socio-economic development in Yakurr.
He acknowledged the deliberate initiatives of his predecessors in the state in using the Leboku festival to encourage food production and to showcase the rich cultural endowments of the Yakurr people.
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“While my administration is poised to sustain the momentum of this festival and even surpass its previous achievements, we will continue to push agriculturally to ensure food security in Cross River,” he said.
Earlier, the Paramount Ruler of Yakurr commended the governor and other dignitaries of the state for gracing the occasion and for the sustained support the Leboku International New Yam Festival had enjoyed.
He added that he would continue to encourage citizens of Yakurr, especially youths and women to embark on agriculture as a viable and sustainable means of livelihood.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the leboku New Yam Festival is one of the agro-cultural festivals of Cross River celebrated between July and August annually in honour of the earth goddess for a bountiful harvest. (NAN)
