The Cross River State Government has rolled out a massive empowerment drive, disbursing N800 million in grants to 400 indigenes—including farmers and ex-members of the defunct Bakassi Defence Force—to strengthen entrepreneurship, reintegration, and agricultural participation. Each beneficiary received N2 million in seed capital after completing rigorous training on Innovative and Integrated Agricultural Value Chains at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State.
The initiative is a flagship of the administration’s “People First” agenda, designed to foster wealth creation, drive job opportunities, and secure food sustainability before the current tenure ends. Speaking during the official presentation in Calabar, Governor Bassey Otu said the empowerment scheme was crafted to channel the strength of the youth away from destructive tendencies into meaningful ventures, stressing that societies cannot prosper when their most dynamic population is left idle.
“Today’s exercise is targeted at diverting the passion and energy of our young people from unproductive activities to purposeful engagements. Youths remain the heartbeat of every society—versatile, yet volatile,” Otu remarked. He emphasized that the gesture was not about showcasing government wealth but a strategic investment in human capital, designed to convert potential risks into development assets.
According to the governor, agriculture was strategically chosen due to its critical role in food security and its multiplier effect on economic transformation. “We are determined to reshape the mindset of our young people, transforming them from being liabilities to becoming national assets. The N2 million support we are disbursing today is a seed to test your vision and resilience. When we see results, we are ready to scale up,” he assured.
Otu further extended a hand of inclusion to the former agitators, affirming that they are not stigmatised but rather embraced as stakeholders in the state’s future. He noted that empowerment has always been a defining principle of his leadership, tracing back to his service in the National Assembly.
Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Patrick Egbede, hailed the programme as a watershed in the state’s march toward economic renewal and job creation. “Today marks the graduation of 400 citizens—200 farmers and 200 reformed agitators—who have successfully undergone intensive agricultural training at CSS Farms. With the knowledge and skills gained, they are positioned to make a tangible impact in their communities and uplift our economy,” Egbede stated.
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He also highlighted additional empowerment strides by the administration, such as training 100 youths in ICT with a concentration on programming and web development. To safeguard accountability, Egbede disclosed that monitoring committees have been set up across senatorial districts, ensuring the proper use of funds. Beneficiaries who demonstrate growth and commitment, he added, will qualify for additional rounds of support.
In their remarks, two beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the state government, pledging to channel the funds into productive ventures that will promote self-reliance and wealth creation.
This empowerment programme complements the state’s broader agricultural transformation initiatives. Earlier in July, the government kicked off a landmark project to cultivate 30 million coffee seedlings across all 18 local government areas, a bold step aimed at reclaiming Cross River’s place as Nigeria’s coffee hub and an emerging force in the global coffee economy.
Governor Otu described the coffee project as an innovative intervention that resonates with the “People First” agenda. “Our coffee initiative is more than cultivation; it is about economic empowerment, job creation, ecological balance, and sustainable livelihoods. With 30 million climate-suited seedlings spread across our local governments, we are repositioning Cross River as a powerhouse in agro-industrial development,” he said.
Through these ambitious programmes—including the N800 million empowerment scheme and the coffee cultivation project—the Cross River State Government is demonstrating its strong commitment to youth empowerment, agricultural modernization, and inclusive economic prosperity.
