Cross River State Government has disbursed N800m in grants to 400 beneficiaries, including farmers and former members of the defunct Bakassi Defence Force, as part of its drive to empower youths and promote food security.
Each beneficiary received N2m on Wednesday in Calabar after completing an intensive training on Innovative and Integrated Agricultural Value Chain at CSS Farms, Nasarawa State.
Governor Bassey Otu said the initiative, which falls under his administration’s People First agenda, was designed to redirect the energies of young people from destructive activities to productive ventures.
“Today’s empowerment programme is primarily targeted at redirecting the strength and energy of our youths from destructive to productive ventures.
“The youth, as a critical demographic set, is the pulse of society, as they are as versatile as they are volatile,” Otu said.
He described the grants as a strategic investment in human capital rather than a show of abundant state resources.
The governor stressed that agriculture was deliberately chosen given its role in food sufficiency and job creation.
“We are poised to remove the character of our young ones and transform them from being societal liabilities to veritable development assets.
“The seed capital we are giving out today is to test your dexterity and commitment. Once we see what you have done with this, we are ready to add another,” the governor added.
Otu also reassured former agitators that they were not stigmatised, but regarded as integral contributors to the state’s development.
The Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Patrick Egbede, hailed the initiative as a milestone in wealth creation and job generation.
He noted that in addition to agricultural training, 100 youths had also been trained in ICT, including web development and programming, to diversify empowerment opportunities.
He further disclosed that monitoring committees have been established across senatorial districts to ensure accountability in the use of grants, with prospects of additional funding for outstanding beneficiaries.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Mary Ekuri and Solomon Essien thanked the governor for the intervention and pledged to put the funds to productive use for personal and community development.
