OTU FLAGS OFF FG–WORLD BANK 2-DAY BLUE ECONOMY UPSKILLING PROGRAMME IN CALABAR
✓ Odey, Lebo, Fakinlede, Nwosu chart new course as Cross River positions for global maritime relevance
By Deputy Governor’s Press Unit, Government House, Calabar & Edited by Amawu, Cletus Albert Amawu
CALABAR – Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, on Thursday declared open the Federal Government–World Bank 2-Day Blue Economy Upskilling Programme for stakeholders, signalling what officials described as a decisive step toward strengthening the state’s role in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding maritime and blue economy sector.
Represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Governor Otu said the programme, held at the State Library Complex, was a “timely capacity-building intervention” designed to unlock vast economic opportunities for the state and enhance national competitiveness.
He recalled that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, created in August 2023, had since repositioned Nigeria on the global maritime map, culminating in the country’s re-admission into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in 2025 after a 14-year absence, an achievement he attributed to “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to economic diversification and global maritime reforms.”
Quoting the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Odey highlighted Nigeria’s maritime sector’s contribution of N113.59 trillion to the national GDP in Q3 2025, describing it as “the giant of the non-oil economy.”
He further referenced the NIMASA valuation which estimates Nigeria’s untapped blue economy assets at $296 billion, insisting that Cross River must be strategically positioned to harness its share.
“Inspired by Mr President’s vision, we established the Cross River State Blue Economy Agency in 2024 to cultivate our marine ecosystem, expand revenue streams and fully align with the Federal Government’s sustainable blue economy strategy,” he stated.
Odey listed several ongoing interventions in the sector, including: steady progress on the Bakassi Deep Seaport; distribution of over 100 motorised fishing boats in 2024; renovation of the Marina Resort; planned upgrade of Calas Vegas Resort; and revitalisation of the KADA Cinema waterfront, among others.
He stressed that upskilling has become indispensable “ in an era defined by rapid advances in science, technology and artificial intelligence.”
“This programme goes beyond a mere talk-shop,” he said. “Our target is to produce a highly skilled maritime workforce capable of competing for global opportunities.”
He announced that the training, described as the first of its kind under his administration, will now become a routine feature of the state’s human capital development agenda in line with his “People First” philosophy.
In her welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, Barr. Melodie Lebo, described the initiative as the dawn of “a new era where our rivers, coastline and aquatic abundance become engines of growth, prosperity and sustainable development.”
She lauded the Federal Government for securing Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council, which she called “a bold global statement reaffirming our nation’s renewed relevance in maritime decision-making.”
“This milestone gives Cross River the leverage to fully harness its marine wealth and build a globally competitive maritime sector,” she said.
Lebo affirmed that the programme would equip stakeholders with the skills required to unlock the state’s enormous blue economy potential while deepening Federal, State partnerships for sustainable growth.
Earlier, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, commended Cross River for its consistent support for national blue economy development efforts.
He noted that Cross River, blessed with strategic coastline, biodiversity and rich aquatic life, records the highest commercial fisheries output among Nigeria’s coastal states.
“Cross River should rightly be called the fish basket of the nation.”
Fakinlede stated that current initiatives align with President Tinubu’s agenda on food security, youth empowerment, economic diversification and sustainable marine resource utilisation. He added that the World Bank remains committed to mobilising funding to strengthen the programme and similar interventions.
A special presentation was delivered by Prof. Francis Nwosu, Dean of the Faculty of Oceanography, University of Calabar, titled:
“Unlocking the Potential of a Sustainable Blue Economy for Nigeria: Cross River State in Focus.”
The lecture highlighted strategic pathways for transforming the state’s marine and coastal assets into long-term engines for sustainable development.