AFDB Pledges Support For Agriculture, Healthcare In Cross River
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged substantial investment to boost agriculture and healthcare services in Cross River State
The AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, gave the pledge during a state banquet organised in his honor by the state government.
Adesina outlined plans to support primary healthcare delivery in addition to supporting the state with the launch of the Special Agro Processing Zone project.
He commended Governor Bassey Otu, noting that the governor is indeed a “passionate, action-driven, and accountable leader, doing so much in infrastructure.”
He noted that with what Governor Otu has done in partnership with Afrixem Bank for the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, Cross River State will soon be a an important logistics and industrial processing hub beyond Nigeria, covering the entire West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
On healthcare, he pledged to support the Governor’s efforts in the revitalization of primary health centers and the state health insurance initiative.
“We will help ensure that primary healthcare centres are not only revitalised but connected digitally to enable seamless access and portability of health records,” he said.
He also advocated for the adoption of a sustainable franchise-based business model for healthcare delivery, designed to improve nationwide access and quality.
Adesina expressed his delight over the launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in Cross River, describing the project as a game-changer for the state’s economy.
In his remarks, Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration’s focus on driving economic independence and reducing overdependence on federal allocations.
He outlined three strategic pillars: security, food security, and energy security, as central to unlocking sustainable development in the state.
Governor Otu revealed that several dormant state-owned assets were being recovered and revitalized, significantly improving investor confidence and making Cross River one of Nigeria’s most attractive investment destinations.
He also announced plans to integrate Cross River into regional economic corridors with Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea while expanding agricultural productivity through large-scale cocoa, cassava, and other crops.
Reflecting on his recent annual vacation, he joked that he felt “younger and more energized,” ready to intensify efforts toward the state’s transformation. Otu thanked his deputy governor and cabinet members for their stewardship in his absence and described the state’s progress as divinely inspired.
Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke, in his welcome address, said the banquet was a convergence of visionary leadership. He described Governor Otu as a “turbocharged” developer and lauded his commitment to infrastructure and economic growth.
Turning to Adesina, Duke described him as “Africa’s number one technocrat,” hailing his landmark initiatives like the electronic wallet for farmers and his legacy of driving agricultural transformation across the continent.
He praised both leaders for their alignment in vision and their dedication to inclusive development. “Dr. Adesina is not just a leader—he is a divine pathfinder, illuminating Africa’s future,” Duke declared.
AFDB Pledges Support For Agriculture, Healthcare In Cross River is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
