The Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA) has inaugurated the People First Entrepreneurship Clubs and Competition for secondary schools in the Southern Senatorial District, in a move aimed at deepening entrepreneurial education among young people.
The launch, which drew participation from 40 secondary schools, saw each school receive enterprise kits, certificates of participation, training manuals, and logbooks to support their entrepreneurial activities.
In his welcome address, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of CRSMEDA, Great Ogban, said the initiative seeks to nurture a culture of innovation and self-reliance among students. According to him, the People First Entrepreneurship Clubs and Competition is designed to raise a new generation of business-minded youths in line with the vision of Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Otu to promote entrepreneurship across the state.
Also speaking, the Accountant-General of the State, Dr. (Mrs.) Glory Effiong, commended the program for inspiring creativity and enterprise among students. She urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity and disclosed plans by the state to introduce vocational and artisanal training in welding, fabrication, carpentry, and fashion design for secondary school students.
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The program coordinator, Enwongo-Abasi Okon, noted that each participating school will be assigned a mentor and a volunteer to provide continuous monitoring, evaluation, and advisory support throughout the competition.
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)—were present at the event and commended CRSMEDA for the initiative.
The inauguration also featured an entrepreneurship masterclass, a mini business pitch session, and breakout discussions with students from all seven local government areas in the district.