By Abasi Ita
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Edet Otu, has been honoured with the Champion of Made-in-Nigeria Products award by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) for his administration’s unwavering commitment to promoting and patronising indigenous products and services.
The award was presented at the 5th Adeola Odutola Lecture held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, where captains of industry, policymakers, and development partners gathered to celebrate individuals advancing Nigeria’s industrial growth. Governor Otu was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Agbe Odey, who received the award on his behalf.
Presenting the plaque, MAN President, Otunba Francis Meshioye (OFR), commended the Cross River State Government for implementing practical policies that encourage local content and industrial development. “Governor Otu has demonstrated that leadership by example is the strongest endorsement of the Made-in-Nigeria vision,” Meshioye said.
In his acceptance remarks, Deputy Governor Odey described the honour as a validation of Governor Otu’s deliberate policies to revive Nigeria’s productive capacity. “Our administration’s commitment is not driven by sentiment but by conviction that Nigeria’s future depends on what we produce,” he said.
Highlighting concrete actions, Odey revealed that the state had procured about 80 vehicles from Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), with another 130 preordered, and purchased over 100 tractors from Bespoke Design Concepts Ltd, a Kwara-based company, to drive agricultural mechanisation.
He further disclosed that several ongoing and completed road projects in the state were executed by indigenous contractors, reinforcing the government’s preference for local expertise. “By empowering Nigerian firms, we strengthen local capacity, create jobs, and retain capital within our economy,” Odey added.
The deputy governor assured the business community of the state government’s continued efforts to sustain an enabling environment for industry to thrive through friendly tax policies and incentives for manufacturers.
In a symbolic gesture of partnership, Odey invited MAN to host its 2026 Annual General Meeting in Calabar, noting that Cross River offers a growing industrial base and the warm hospitality that reflects the true spirit of Nigerian manufacturing.