Calabar, Nigeria — The Cross River State Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, in conjunction with the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture, on Thursday joined the global community to celebrate the 2025 World Food Day, reaffirming its commitment to achieving food security, sustainable agriculture, and improved nutrition across the state.

The event, themed “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” was held at the Calabar Municipal Headquarters and drew participants from government ministries, agricultural agencies, farmers’ associations, development partners, and women’s groups.

Representing the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo (KSM), the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Elder Dr Odey Ecoma, declared the occasion open and described World Food Day as a call for “global awareness and local action” to end hunger and promote healthy, sustainable diets for all.

“Food is life. It is the most precious resource, and food availability is the springboard for food security,” Dr Ecoma said. “We must talk food, practise food, and demonstrate food, from our local food systems to the global table. Producing food should attract value for money, and food security should be a collective mission.”

He commended His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, the People-First Governor of Cross River State, for his visionary leadership and massive investment in agricultural development, describing him as “the pathfinder of agricultural revolution in the state.”

Delivering brief remarks on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Pastor Ubi Ubana, Director of Agricultural Services, described the year’s theme as both “timely and significant.”

“It reminds us that collaboration is the key to tackling the complex challenges of food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate change,” he said. “World Food Day is not just a celebration but a clarion call to intensify our collective efforts to ensure that no individual or family goes to bed hungry.”

He urged stakeholders to “embrace innovation, partnership, and sustainable practices” to strengthen food systems and build a future where food is abundant, accessible, and affordable for everyone.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Damian Agom, reviewer of the 2025 World Food Day theme, commended the Cross River State Government for aligning with global efforts to achieve food security through inclusive, multi-sectoral collaboration.

Speaking on the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” he emphasised that the event serves as a reminder of the world’s shared responsibility to end hunger and promote healthy diets for all.

Professor Agom noted that the State’s commitment under Governor Otu’s administration, particularly through the multi-stakeholder committee on cocoa, coffee, and oil palm development, reflects visionary leadership and a practical, “talk-and-do” approach to agricultural transformation.

He stressed that achieving food security requires the collective effort of all actors across the food value chain, including federal and state governments, local councils, farmers, women in agriculture, transporters, marketers, and development partners such as FAO, Solidaridad, PIN and others.

In reviewing the theme, Professor Agom described the multi-stakeholder approach as a proven path toward sustainable food systems and economic resilience. He outlined its benefits, improved coordination, increased innovation, inclusive decision-making, and long-term sustainability, while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining inclusivity and managing power imbalances.

He called for continuous volunteerism, participation, policy advocacy, and reduction of food waste. Concluding, he urged all stakeholders to “join hands” and ensure no link in the food chain is broken, reaffirming that by working together, Nigeria and Cross River State can secure better food and a better future for all.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Dr Jude Undiandeye, Director of Veterinary Services, described livestock as “the unsung heroes of our food systems.”

“From the milk in our coffee to the protein on our plates, livestock are silent partners in nourishing billions,” he stated. “For many smallholder farmers, livestock is not just food but a living bank account, a source of income, nutrition, and resilience.”

He called for more sustainable, humane, and environmentally friendly livestock practices to safeguard both human and animal welfare.

The State Chairman of the Cassava Value Chain, Venerable Augustine Oqua, lauded the government’s prioritisation of cassava, describing it as “the heartbeat of food security.” He noted that the price of garri had dropped significantly from ₦34,000 to ₦15,000 per bag due to improved cassava production.

However, he lamented the destruction of farms by herdsmen, calling on livestock authorities to act swiftly.

“We cultivated 275 hectares of cassava last season, but herdsmen destroyed everything,” he said. “If this continues, we will have to deploy drones to protect our farms. Our food must be protected for there to be food security.”

He further proposed that the sale of unprocessed roadside garri be banned from next year, insisting that cassava products should be properly packaged and sold in shops to ensure hygiene and quality.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Cross River State Chapter, Rev. Ojikpong Nyiam Bisong, praised farmers as “God’s co-workers” in sustaining humanity.

“It is only those that work on the soil that are doing the work of God,” he said. “As long as there is one farmer alive, food security is guaranteed.”

He pledged the association’s commitment to supporting Governor Otu’s vision of making Cross River the “food basket of Nigeria by 2026.”

Also speaking, the President of Cross River Women in Agriculture, Comrade (Mrs) Philomena Bassey Eyo, celebrated the resilience and contribution of women to food production and household nutrition,

“Without women, there is no food on the table,” she declared. “We work day and night to ensure families are fed and our nation remains nourished.”

The 2025 World Food Day celebration in Calabar underscored the shared responsibility of government, private sector, and individuals in achieving food security.

With strong calls for collaboration, innovation, and sustainability, Cross River State reaffirmed its leadership role in agricultural transformation, a mission deeply aligned with this year’s global theme:

“Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future.”