Baskadia

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and addressing the challenges faced by students in Cross River State, the Special Assistant Students’ Affairs to the Governor, Comrade Kelvin Enyam, has forged a significant partnership with Cross Riverians In the Diaspora (CRID). This collaboration, grounded in the shared vision of fostering educational development and empowerment, marks a pivotal step towards realizing the educational aspirations outlined in the People’s First Mandate of His Excellency Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu.

The partnership, solidified during a virtual meeting via Zoom, underscores a commitment to establishing a framework for educational advancement programs, fostering skills acquisition initiatives for secondary school students, and providing crucial support to students across the state. During the meeting, key representatives from CRID, including President Amb Christopher Lekam and Chairman of the CRID Education Committee, Professor Obassesam Okoi, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, citing its timely alignment with CRID's objectives and the potential to leverage the expertise of diaspora academics for the benefit of education in Cross River State.

Central to the initiative is the ambition to facilitate opportunities for Cross River State students to pursue professional programs abroad through scholarships, grants, fellowships, and other educational avenues. Comrade Enyam emphasized the importance of nurturing mentorship relationships and integrating students into the global arena while contributing significantly to the state's development.

The collaborative efforts will culminate in two landmark events: the Cross River State Students Summit scheduled for November 17, 2024, in commemoration of International Students Day, and the Cross River State Leaders Conference. These events aim to equip students with essential career development skills, foster mentorship connections, raise awareness about mental health issues, and offer various scholarship and skill acquisition opportunities.

The announcement of these initiatives has received resounding support from CRID members, who have pledged their full commitment to realizing the vision outlined by the Special Assistant. Attendees at the virtual meeting included distinguished personalities such as Dr. Ignatius Oli, Secretary of CRID; Professor Valentine Ntui, Liaison Officer, CRID Africa; Professor Wilfred Emori, Secretary, CRID Education Committee; Dr. Julius Adie; Dr. John Aboshim; Mr. Idagu; Dr. Emmanuel Bisong; Mr. Ettah Emmanuel O., a prominent media practitioner in Calabar; and Mr. Effio-Ita Nyok, a journalist and member of the Students Affairs Team.

The collaboration between the Special Assistant Students’ Affairs to the Governor and CRID underscores a shared commitment to advancing educational opportunities, fostering holistic student development, and addressing the multifaceted challenges facing the student community in Cross River State. Through proactive initiatives and collaborative partnerships, the stage is set for transformative change that will empower students and propel educational excellence across the state.