By Peter Omopo
Calabar, September 17, 2025 — The Cross River State Government has empowered 400 citizens, including farmers and former members of the defunct Bakassi Defence Force, with ₦800 million in grants as part of efforts to boost agriculture, entrepreneurship, and youth reintegration.
Each beneficiary received ₦2 million seed capital after completing intensive training on Innovative and Integrated Agricultural Value Chain at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State. The initiative forms part of Governor Bassey Otu’s “People First” agenda, which prioritises wealth creation, job opportunities, and food security.
Addressing participants in Calabar on Tuesday, Governor Otu said the empowerment scheme was designed to redirect the energy of young people from destructive tendencies into productive ventures.
“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,” Otu stated.
He emphasised that agriculture was chosen as the focus because of its wide-ranging benefits to food sufficiency and economic development. He also reassured ex-agitators that they were not stigmatised but welcomed as partners in building the state’s future.
Human Capital Investment
The governor described the grants not as a show of abundant resources but as a strategic investment in human capital. He said monitoring committees would track how the seed capital is utilised and hinted at further support for those who demonstrate accountability.
Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Patrick Egbede, described the initiative as a milestone in the state’s economic strategy.
“It is my great pleasure to celebrate the graduation of 400 Cross River citizens — 200 farmers and 200 repentant agitators — from the intensive training programme. Their skills will help drive economic growth and create jobs across the state,” Egbede said.
He added that the Otu administration had also trained 100 youths in ICT skills, including web development and programming, to diversify empowerment beyond agriculture.
Beneficiaries Respond
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Mary Ekuri and Solomon Essien expressed gratitude to the governor, pledging to use the grants responsibly to improve their livelihoods and contribute to community development.
The empowerment scheme comes on the heels of a major agricultural initiative flagged off in July, when the state government began cultivating 30 million coffee seedlings across all 18 local government areas. At the time, Governor Otu described the project as a bold step to reposition Cross River as Nigeria’s coffee capital and a rising force in the global coffee market.
“With projects like these, we are building an inclusive economy that creates jobs, restores ecosystems, and ensures food security,” Otu said.
