ED&C Opens Operations Station in Calabar, Promises Jobs, Charity and Social Impact
By Ebi COLLINS
The ancient city of Calabar on Sunday witnessed the grand opening of the Empower Dreams and Careers (ED&C) Operations Station, a major milestone in the company’s drive to create jobs, expand its footprint, and foster social impact across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Team Leader and Manager of ED&C Calabar Operations, Offong Blaise Offong, described the launch as part of the company’s broader vision to use creativity, innovation, and social responsibility to improve lives and empower communities.
“ED&C is not just about business. Our core philosophy, Contagious Communication, is centered on helping brands build deep emotional connections with their customers while ensuring that our activities contribute positively to society,” Offong stated.
He highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to addressing unemployment in Nigeria, recalling its five-year strategic cooperation agreement with the Federal Government signed in March 2024. The deal, he noted, is geared toward generating three million jobs nationwide and establishing 1,000 offices across the 36 states of the federation.
“So far, we have opened 50 operations centers across Nigeria, with Calabar being the 42nd. Our goal is to make tangible contributions to the prosperity of Nigerian cities, and today’s inauguration is a step in that direction,” he said.
The Calabar Operations Station, which has already recorded 1,000 registrations, comprising 400 full-time employees and 600 interns, will serve as an enquiry hub, provide solutions to employee and intern challenges, and facilitate the registration of new members.
Offong emphasized that beyond job creation, all employees are expected to actively participate in charitable and community-based initiatives. “We pay attention to global challenges, and in every city we operate, our staff engage in charity and environmental responsibility projects to bring positive change,” he added.
The ceremony attracted several dignitaries, including Pastor Patrick Asikpo Okon JP, FCIA, State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress; Dr. Carole Edem, Commissioner 1 of the Local Government Service Commission; and Hon. Ekpenyong Umo, Councillor representing Ward 9 in Calabar South. Others in attendance included Elder Ita Okon Ekeng, Political Director for the Informal Sector at the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency; Comrade William Ibok, Secretary of the APC Calabar South Chapter; Etubom Ekpo Bassey; Apostle Dr. Sunday Udo; Mrs. Nsa Ekpenyong, State Social Mobilization Officer with the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency; and Apostle Chaplain Ezekiel Udo.
Highlight of the event was the ceremonial tape-cutting performed by Lady Atim Martin, Vice Chairman of Calabar South, who was represented by her protocol officer, Mr. Eyo Essien. Declaring the office open, she expressed optimism about the company’s vision, noting that “the ripple effects of the impact of ED&C will be more manifest in the near future.”
The dignitaries praised ED&C for choosing Calabar as a hub, pledging their support to ensure the station thrives and contributes to local development.
With its strong blend of advertising, brand strategy, digital marketing, event planning, and celebrity endorsement, ED&C aims to establish itself not only as a creative powerhouse but also as a driver of social and economic progress in Cross River State and beyond.
