Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has received the “Most MSME-Friendly Governor Award” from the Presidency at the 8th National MSME Awards in Abuja. Held at the State House to coincide with World MSME Day, the event recognized Governor Otu for implementing progressive regulatory reforms that have expanded credit access and revitalized small businesses via the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA). The ceremony also featured the launch of Building Nigeria, Empowering MSMEs, a federal compendium documenting small business milestones achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The summit drew high-profile dignitaries, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, SMEDAN Director-General Charles Odii, and the Presidential Tax Reform Chair, Taiwo Oyedele. Alongside the governor’s personal accolade, Cross River State achieved a double victory by winning the Award of Excellence for MSME Clinics Participant in the female category, which evaluated key metrics like regional tax compliance. Led by Commerce Commissioner Hon. Abigail Orok-Duke, the state’s delegation noted that these dual achievements reflect Cross River’s ongoing transition toward an investment-friendly economy focused on job creation and commercial diversification
