In a bold stride toward inclusive economic development and youth reintegration, the Cross River State Government has disbursed ₦800 million in grants to 400 beneficiaries, comprising farmers and ex-militants, under Governor Bassey Otu’s “People First” agenda.
The initiative, officially launched in Calabar, marks a significant milestone in the administration’s commitment to wealth creation, food security, and sustainable peace. Each recipient received ₦2 million in seed capital after completing intensive training in Innovative and Integrated Agricultural Value Chains at CSS Farms, Nasarawa State.
Governor Otu, addressing the graduates, emphasized the transformative power of agriculture and entrepreneurship: “The youth are the pulse of society — as versatile as they are volatile. This programme is aimed at transforming our young people from societal liabilities into development assets,” he stated.
The beneficiaries include 200 farmers and 200 former members of the defunct Bakassi Defence Force. The governor reassured the ex-agitators of their place in the state’s future, describing the grants not as a show of wealth but as strategic investments in human capital. Monitoring committees will oversee the use of funds, with prospects for further support based on performance.
Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Patrick Egbede, hailed the programme as a cornerstone of the state’s economic strategy: “Their skills will help drive economic growth and create jobs across the state,” he said, noting that an additional 100 youths have been trained in ICT, including web development and programming.
Beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude. Mrs. Mary Ekuri and Mr. Solomon Essien pledged to use the grants responsibly to uplift their communities.
This empowerment scheme follows the July launch of a major agricultural initiative involving the cultivation of 30 million coffee seedlings across all 18 local government areas — reinforcing Cross River’s position as a leader in agribusiness innovation.