Hon. Hilary Bisong, Chief Whip of the Cross River State House of Assembly, presented the state’s innovative “People First” vision for food systems transformation at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Speaking at a high-level side event during the UNFSS+4 Stocktaking Moment, Bisong highlighted Cross River’s home-grown solutions aimed at tackling food and nutrition insecurity.
Bisong passionately articulated how Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s administration is advancing a people-centered agenda, ensuring food systems directly addresses the needs of communities, from rural farmers to urban families.
“The People First agenda is not just a slogan; it’s a living policy direction guiding our interventions across agriculture, nutrition, and food security,” Bisong declared. He emphasized the state’s commitment to inclusive, innovative, and climate-resilient approaches that genuinely impact lives.
Key initiatives already underway in Cross River include the formation of the Cross River State Food Systems Committee to coordinate policy and implementation, and the establishment of farm estates dedicated to large-scale production of essential crops like maize, soybeans, cassava, and biofortified varieties. These efforts are crucial in combating malnutrition, stimulating local economies, and aligning with global sustainability goals.
Representing sub-national innovation within Nigeria’s broader strategy, Bisong’s intervention complemented the keynote address by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, who focused on national collaboration, youth empowerment, and digital agriculture.
Bisong also reaffirmed Cross River’s dedication to climate-smart agriculture, digital innovation, and community-focused programs such as the National Agriculture Growth Scheme (NAGS), which supports smallholder farmers and strengthens food value chains.
His presentation positioned Cross River as a leading state in rethinking food production, distribution, and consumption, all while adhering to Governor Otu’s “People First” development philosophy.
“Food system transformation is not a sprint but a long-distance journey requiring vision, courage, and collaborative leadership,” Bisong noted, concluding that “Cross River is ready, willing, and actively leading the charge in making nutrition and food security a lived reality for our people.”
The UN event concluded with a renewed call for global and local actions to build productive, inclusive, climate-resilient, and nutrition-secure food systems, with Cross River State clearly signaling its role as a leader in this critical transformation.
