Over 20,000 young individuals are on the brink of benefiting from a comprehensive empowerment initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, skill development, and job opportunities in various key industries.
Dr. Kalita Aruku, the Chairperson of the Cross River State Youth Empowerment Scheme, shared this exciting news during a recent conversation with reporters in Calabar. He emphasized that the program is tailored to uplift the youth by recognizing their unique talents, passions, and economic requirements.
The initiative is structured around seven core areas to engage young people productively. These encompass agriculture, the creative sector, sports, transportation, skill acquisition, small-scale enterprises, and education.
In the agricultural domain, participants will receive training and resources for poultry farming, pig rearing, fishery, and crop cultivation. They will also be connected with potential buyers to ensure market access. For instance, in the fishery segment, individuals will be provided with necessary tools like fingerlings, feeds, and startup capital post-training. Similarly, poultry beneficiaries will receive birds and financial assistance to kickstart their ventures.
Regarding crop cultivation, the focus will be on high-demand crops like cassava and maize. Beneficiaries will be equipped with improved cassava stems and maize varieties, along with guaranteed buyers, including collaborations with flour mills.
In the creative industry, young individuals will undergo training in various fields such as cinematography, scriptwriting, directing, acting, producing, and music. Dr. Aruku highlighted that this aspect of the program aims not only to empower the youth but also to position Calabar as a prominent center for film production and creative tourism.
Dr. Aruku acknowledged the challenges related to funding but assured that Governor Bassey Otu is fully dedicated to the initiative. He emphasized that youth empowerment is a key component of the governor’s “People First” agenda, emphasizing the importance of investing in young people for economic prosperity and social harmony in the state.
The empowerment scheme is anticipated to boost youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), decrease unemployment rates, and fortify Cross River’s local economy across various sectors.
