—Otu
By Onwa Ekor
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has called for a return to farming instead of white collar jobs, if hunger must be put in check.
Otu made the call during the 2025 Leboku International New Yam Festival, celebrated in Ugep by communities across Yakurr local government area of the state, to mark the herald of the new yam harvest.
“There is apprehension over a generational gap in farming as an occupation. The youths seem to have abandoned farming to their aged parents in favour of white-collar jobs in urban centers.
“If this trend remains unchecked, we may face food shortages in the next two decades, wallowing in hunger amidst plenty.
“We cannot have what it takes to achieve food security and then depend on other sub-nationals for food supply, that, would be an antithesis of our natural endowments,” the governor remarked.
He also called for the preservation of culture and heritage, insisting that these remain the core of human existence, which must be preserved at all costs.
Acknowledging the role of culture and tradition in the development of human existence, he commended the people of Ugep for their dedication in preserving their cultural heritage, which has significantly contributed to the state’s rich tourism potential.
Otu further charged other communities to draw inspiration from the unity and oneness of the Yakurr people.
Beyond this, the governor pointed out, “Cross River remains one of the few states in the Federation endowed with fertile land and a conducive climate for agriculture, thereby bestowing on the state the comparative advantage over other sub-nationals in cash and food crops production.”
He maintained that the state is satisfied that over the years, the overall purpose of the Leboku festival has been achieved, urging young people to embrace farming as a serious business to combat food insecurity.
The governor also assured that his administration will not relent in providing tractors, planters, mini irrigation machines, soft loans, grants, improved seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, and other farming incentives to boost crop yield.
“When farmers with a common crop preference unite, it becomes easier for these groups to leverage the numerous incentives provided by the state government.
“While food security is an achievable milestone of my administration, the target will be easily met when there is cooperation among farmers in our respective communities,” Otu stressed.
Leboku is an age-old tradition of Ugep and surrounding communities in Yakurr local government area of Cross River.
“The introduction of the international dimension to the event in 2005 by the state government bringing together the various communities of the Yakurr Nation was primarily aimed at reducing inter-communal skirmishes, creating a common tourism attraction, and increasing food production.
The theme for the 2025 Leboku International New Yam Festival, “Fostering Community Co-operation for Sustainable Food Security,” is said to align perfectly with the administration’s emphasis on smallholder farmers’ cooperatives.
