CALABAR, NIGERIA – Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has approved the appointment of key officers into the College of Agriculture, Obubra, in a bid to strengthen agricultural education and research.
The appointments include Dr. Gabriel Osang as Registrar, Mr. Ignatius Ugbeche as Bursar, Dr. Veronica Akpana Adinya as College Librarian, Engr. Joseph Eyamba as Head of Physical Planning, and Engr. Melody Charles Abeng as Director of Works (Civil Engineering).
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Linus Obogo, in a statement issued from Calabar on Monday, said the appointments reflect the Governor’s drive to reposition the institution for greater national impact.
Obogo noted that the appointments come as part of the Governor’s “People First” agenda, which prioritizes sustainable development through education, innovation, and job creation in the agricultural sector.
“The Governor believes that a properly staffed College of Agriculture will serve as a training ground for future farmers, researchers, and agro-entrepreneurs,” Obogo stated.
He explained that the need for such an institution in Obubra was driven by the state’s strategic location and vast untapped arable land, which, if properly utilized, could boost food security and reduce unemployment.
Governor Otu reportedly charged the new appointees to exhibit professionalism, innovation, and diligence in their duties to ensure the college becomes a centre of excellence in agricultural studies.
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An agricultural policy analyst, Dr. Ifeanyi Iwara, commended the move, saying, “This is a much-needed step to revitalize the state’s agricultural backbone and reduce dependence on oil revenues.”
He emphasized that institutions like the Obubra College of Agriculture could help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical fieldwork, which is crucial for Nigeria’s food sustainability efforts.
Residents in Obubra welcomed the development, expressing hope that the college, when fully equipped, would create learning and employment opportunities for local youths.
With food inflation and rising insecurity affecting farming communities, stakeholders have consistently called for improved agricultural education as a path to self-sufficiency and rural development.
The appointments mark a renewed effort to make Cross River State a hub for agricultural innovation and skill-based learning in Nigeria’s South-South region.
