By Nathaniel Otaba
Over the last eight years, Cross River State witnessed an avalanche of appointments under Ayade’s administration, an initiative famously christened “Food on the Table.” This program enrolled hundreds of youths onto the state’s payroll, providing them with salaries for the duration of the administration.
Upon assuming office, Sen. Bassey Otu introduced a more sustainable and enduring initiative, the “Skills-in-the-Hands,” aimed at empowering young Cross Riverians to create wealth and achieve financial independence, elevating individuals to heights they never thought possible.
In a country where unemployment rates have reached unprecedented levels, leaving millions of graduates in uncertainty and susceptible to various crimes, including fraud, kidnapping and other serious offenses, the importance of empowering youths with skills and setting them up cannot be overstated. Equipping them for financial independence paves the way for economic freedom for countless unemployed youths across the nation.
Leveraging existing structures within the state, Governor Otu, in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority, mandated companies operating in the Calabar Export Processing Zone to train unemployed Cross Riverians and set them up in their respective fields of training.
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Skyrun International has completed its first batch of training for 20 Cross Riverians, selected from all 18 local governments, focusing on the production of appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners. The participants have since been employed by Skyrun.
Facilitated by the Cross River State Ministry of Youth Development and Skill Acquisition, this training is a continuous program, and to ensure high-quality outcomes, the number of participants per batch was reduced to 20.
Just recently, the Cross River State government in collaboration with Skyrun International FZE inducted the second batch of trainees into the ‘Skills in the hands’ initiative.
Additionally, Lafarge has concluded a nine month training program for 22 Cross Riverians in fabrication and welding. They have been provided with the latest welding machines and will proceed to travel abroad for further training.
With the Bakassi Deep Seaport project underway, the potential for employment during and after construction is enormous. To ensure Cross Riverians benefit from these opportunities, plans are being concluded to send hundreds of youths abroad for various skill acquisition programs.
The goal of the “Skills-in-The-Hands” initiative is to ensure that every youth possesses at least two skills, regardless of their educational background. This approach serves as a replacement for “Food on the Table,” equipping young individuals with the means to earn a living.
Recently, 200 youths were sent to Goje, in Nasarawa State for an intensive two-week training program focused on production, processing, marketing, and branding within the agricultural value chain at one of Nigeria’s largest farms, CSS Farm. Each participant will be empowered to embark on their chosen agricultural value chain path. They were also provided with iPads containing comprehensive training materials and funding/marketing contacts for various agricultural enterprises. For instance, those interested in establishing poultry businesses can easily get contact information for suppliers of birds, feed, and off-takers within their locality.
The Senator Otu-led administration has trained over 200 youths in POS business, empowering each participant with a POS system and a startup capital of ₦150,000. The beneficiaries can be sure of daily earnings and becoming financially independent.
In collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), 20 Cross Riverians have received training in welding and fabrication, along with full equipment to facilitate their post-training work.
The Skills in the hands initiative is also in collaboration with development partners with interest in Youth development, empowerment and entrepreneurship. They include UNICEF, USAID, UNFPA, UNIDO, UNDP, SMEDAN, Bank of Industry, Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
With a target of training 5,000 youths in various skills during his first term, Governor Otu is focused in empowering young people to create wealth, thereby reducing crime and youth restiveness in the state.
#thinkcrossriver
Nathaniel Otaba,
Special Assistant on Communication
