The Technical Working Committee (TWC) of Northern Cross River Agricultural and Cultural Festival (NORTHFEST), has concluded a high-level, two-day strategy review meeting outlining an ambitious five-year (2026-2030) development strategy masterplan aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural sector of the Northern Senatorial District.
The event which was held at the State Library Complex in Calabar, between November 25th and 26th, 2025, brought together representatives of government MDAs, financial institutions, stakeholders and other interested parties to develop a comprehensive policy framework that moves NORTHFEST beyond an annual festival to a long-term, commercial agricultural initiative.
Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, Chairman of the Technical Working Committee (TWC), emphasized that the primary goal of the collaboration is to structure a five-year masterplan that will empower local farmers and significantly improve yield and farm produce quality.
Ntufam Ugbo said the Committee plans to provide key inputs supply, credit facilities and help to create guaranteed markets for farmers’ products offtake, ultimately transforming Cross River State into a nationally recognized cultural food hub.
“The gathering is to further provide opportunities for collaboration with farmers, through a more structured financing system,” Ugbo stated.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Dr. Peter Ojie, Secretary of the TWC, stressed the importance of public-private collaboration, particularly with financial and private sector entities, to drive the agrarian component of NORTHFEST using agriculture as the economic mainstay of Northern Cross River.
Dr. Ojie disclosed that a crucial part of the strategy involves securing legal frameworks for the festival, which will ensure official government gazetting. He noted that the initiative aims to celebrate the culture, while establishing agriculture as a sustainable commercial identity of the people.
Mr. Attah Joseph, lead Consultant from Plum Horizon Ltd, Abuja, provided the technical context for the meeting. He explained that the five-year roadmap is designed to transition the region “from being just for subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.”
Accordingly, the plan involves interfacing with funding agencies and partners, connecting government MDAs for the seamless execution and providing credit facilities and seedlings for staple food products.
Ultimately, the program seeks to transform NORTHFEST into a nationally recognized festival and cultural food hub through systematic expansion of agribusiness, providing access to credit, and developing an extensive agro value chain.
The Committee received significant contributions and recommendations from key entities, such as the Cross River State Ministries of Livestock Development, Environment, Culture and Tourism, and Agriculture. These recommendations focused on addressing challenges and ensuring the project’s continuity towards strong Ministries/LGAs partnership at the community level, creating an investor-ready integrated structure and a clear agricultural roadmap.
The gathering was graced by numerous dignitaries and representatives from both the public and financial sectors, notably Dr. Mike Odere (Commissioner for Finance), Hon. Patrick Egbede (Commissioner for Wealth Creation), Hon. Hippolatus Lukpata (Commissioner for International Devt Corporations), Hon. Agnes Atsu (Commissioner for Sports), Reverend Fr. Bob Etta (Special Adviser to the Governor on TETFUND), Chief Godwin Iyala (Director-General, CRS Health Insurance Agency), Rt. Hon. Patrick Uguge, Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata, Mrs Catherine Agba-Ajibike, Mr Noel Ugbong, Mrs Agatha Murphy, Representatives from the Bank of Agriculture, Unical Microfinance Bank, Sterling Bank, Ekondo Bank and African Development Bank.
