Cross River Microfinance Agency Launches ‘People First Entrepreneurship Clubs’ to Inspire Young Innovators
Cross River Microfinance Agency Launches ‘People First Entrepreneurship Clubs’ to Inspire Young Innovators
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA) has officially inaugurated the People First Entrepreneurship Clubs and Competition for secondary schools in the Southern Senatorial District, marking another major step in the state’s ongoing efforts to nurture a new generation of business-minded youths.
According to Akahi News, the event, which took place earlier this week, brought together 40 invited secondary schools from across the district. Each school received enterprise kits, training manuals, logbooks, and certificates of participation to kick-start their entrepreneurial journey under the new initiative.
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A New Era for Youth Entrepreneurship in Cross River
Delivering his welcome address, Great Ogban, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of CRSMEDA, explained that the People First Entrepreneurship Clubs and Competition is a deliberate move to embed a culture of entrepreneurship in young people from an early age.
Ogban noted that the initiative reflects the vision of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, to create a sustainable, youth-driven economy through skills development and innovation.
“The People First Entrepreneurship Clubs are designed to raise a generation of productive thinkers and future business leaders. We want to empower young Cross Riverians to become creators of opportunities rather than seekers of jobs,” Ogban stated.
He further assured that CRSMEDA will continue to partner with schools, local governments, and private sector players to make entrepreneurship a cornerstone of education across the state.
Stakeholders Applaud Governor Otu’s Vision
In her goodwill message, Dr. Mrs. Glory Effiong, the Accountant-General of the State, commended the initiative for its long-term impact on youth empowerment and economic transformation. She noted that the program will not only expose students to real-world business ideas but will also prepare them for future leadership roles in the economic space.
According to Akahi News, Dr. Effiong also hinted that the government is considering the introduction of artisanal training programmes—including welding, fabrication, carpentry, and fashion designing—to complement the entrepreneurship initiative and equip students with hands-on vocational skills.
“Our goal is to make sure every student who passes through our schools acquires at least one skill they can depend on after graduation. Entrepreneurship must begin in the classroom,” she added.
Mentorship, Monitoring, and Ongoing Evaluation
The Program Coordinator, Enwongo-Abasi Okon, provided further insight into the structure of the project. Each participating school, she said, will be paired with a mentor and a volunteer, ensuring that students receive guidance and periodic evaluations throughout the competition period.
The mentors are expected to help students develop business ideas, set up small enterprises within their schools, and participate in district-wide pitch sessions. Akahi News learnt that the program will also include quarterly monitoring to assess the students’ progress and offer advisory support on innovation and financial literacy.
“This is not just a one-off competition. It’s a continuous mentorship process designed to track and shape each student’s entrepreneurial growth,” Okon explained.
Education Leaders in Attendance
The event was graced by several Executive Secretaries of Education from the Southern Senatorial District, including Rosemary Bassey (Calabar South), Paul Etim (Akpabuyo), Sir Itaya Bassey (Akamkpa), Bishop Victor Ekpei (Biase), and Margaret Okon (Odukpani). Each of them commended CRSMEDA for taking the bold step to integrate entrepreneurship into the academic environment.
They collectively described the initiative as a “game-changer” that aligns with the state’s ongoing education reforms, spearheaded by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey.
According to Akahi News, the dignitaries emphasised that such partnerships between education and enterprise institutions are essential to bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world skills.
Students Participate in Pitch Sessions and Masterclass
The inauguration ceremony also featured an entrepreneurship masterclass, a mini business pitch session, and several breakout discussions with students representing all seven Local Government Areas within the district.
During the pitch session, students shared innovative business ideas ranging from agro-processing ventures to digital service startups, showcasing the creativity and ambition of Cross River’s young minds.
Akahi News gathered that the best-performing schools will progress to the next stage of the competition, where they will compete for funding and further support from CRSMEDA and its partners.
Towards a Sustainable Future
The People First Entrepreneurship Clubs are part of Governor Bassey Otu’s broader economic vision, which seeks to promote inclusive growth and youth development under his “People First” administration.
As the program unfolds, Akahi News will continue to follow its progress across the state, tracking how Cross River’s young entrepreneurs are turning ideas into enterprises that can transform communities and drive local development.
For updates on entrepreneurship, education, and governance across Nigeria, always visit Akahi News — your trusted platform for credible, insightful, and inspiring stories.
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