RismadarVoice Reporters, July 4, 2026
The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu has officially received the“Most MSME-Friendly Governor Award,” in recognition of his commitment to strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as a driver of growth and job creation.
The award, conferred at the 8th National MSME Awards, was formally presented to the governor in Calabar on Tuesday, July 1, 2026, by a delegation led by the Commissioner for Commerce, Hon. Abigail Duke and the Director General and Chairman of the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency.
Otu while receiving the award, expressed appreciation for the honour, describing it as a recognition of the collective efforts of the government and entrepreneurs to reposition the state’s economy.
He said, “This award is not just a celebration of what we have achieved, but a mandate to do more. Our administration remains fully committed to removing bureaucratic bottlenecks, creating access to critical funding, and establishing a seamless environment where micro, small and medium-sized enterprises can thrive, expand and compete globally.”
He dedicated the award to micro, small and medium enterprise operators across the state, saying their resilience and innovation continue to drive local economic development.
The governor assured the delegation of sustained government engagement to boost industrial growth and investment, adding that his administration would continue to implement reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and expanding opportunities for small businesses to grow and create employment.
“This award recognition is for our collective efforts. It is a great boost to our industrial growth and investment. This administration will continue to sustain key reforms aimed at improving the economy of the state with ease of doing business and expanding opportunities for small businesses to grow and create employment”, he explained.
Commissioner for Commerce; Dr Abigail Duke, commended the Governor for his open-door leadership style and strategic investments in enterprise development, noting that his policies have significantly improved the state’s business environment.
She described the recognition as a reflection of Governor Otu’s sustained commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, supporting local industries and building a resilient MSME ecosystem capable of driving inclusive economic growth
The State Vice Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Bishop Usen Umoh, congratulated Governor Otu on the national recognition and commended his administration’s “friendly disposition towards business development and industrial growth.”
He said, “I want to congratulate His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu on this national award. It is a well-deserved recognition which aligns with his people’s first agenda aimed at driving economic development in the state.”
Bishop Umoh also noted the governor’s acceptance of MAN’s proposal to host the Nigeria Manufacturers’ Summit in Cross River State, describing the development as an intentional effort in supporting local industries to drive positive economic growth.
He called for deeper private sector engagement in policy formulation, inclusion of OPS in statutory boards, and engagement on tax reforms to create a more business-friendly environment that would attract foreign and local investors.
On his part, the President of Calabar Chamber of Commerce; Kelly Ayamba, commended Governor Otu for his continued efforts in improving and repositioning the state’s economy, stressing that the award recognition validates his administration’s moves to strengthen and advance the state economy.
“It is my honour to congratulate Governor Bassey Otu for a well-deserved recognition. This award is an automatic validation of his administration’s efforts in building a better and stable economy in the state”, he added.
