Cross River State Government Empowers 400 Citizens with ₦800 Million Grants

The Cross River State Government has empowered 400 citizens, including farmers and former members of the defunct Bakassi Defence Force, with grants worth ₦800 million to support their reintegration and entrepreneurial growth through agriculture and other ventures.

The beneficiaries who recently completed intensive training on Innovative and Integrated Agricultural Value Chain at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State, received ₦2 million each as seed capital to establish or scale their businesses.

The Governor of Cross River state Sen. Prince Bassey Otu while addressing the beneficiaries stated that the initiative aims to redirect the energy of the youth from destructive activities to productive ventures, emphasizing that agriculture was chosen due to its cascading benefits and critical role in food security.

He urged the beneficiaries to put the funds into good use adding that monitoring committees have been set up across senatorial districts to ensure judicious use of the grants and sustain the impact of the program.

The Governor however pledged that beneficiaries who demonstrate accountability and success will enjoy further funding support.

The ₦800 million empowerment program is part of the state’s broader “People First” agenda, targeted at wealth creation, employment generation, and the promotion of food sufficiency before the end of the Otu led administration.