Baskadia

By ETTAH EMMANUEL O.

Calabar, Nigeria – The Cross River State Government has unveiled an ambitious youth empowerment initiative that will provide free skills acquisition and vocational training to 4,500 young people across the state as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and stimulate economic growth.

The programme, championed by Governor Apostle Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu's administration, is targeted at beneficiaries between the ages of 18 and 40 and is designed to equip participants with practical and market-driven skills needed to thrive in today's evolving economy.

According to the state government, participants will receive training in a broad range of sectors, including digital technology, vocational and technical skills, agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, entrepreneurship, and the creative industry.

According to the SSA Youth Employment Dr. Julius Kijuo the initiative aligns with the administration's broader development agenda focused on human capital development, job creation, and economic inclusion, particularly among young people and women.

The programme is expected to provide participants with the knowledge and competencies required to become self-reliant, create employment opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of Cross River State and Nigeria at large.

Experts have increasingly emphasized the importance of skills acquisition and digital literacy in addressing youth unemployment across Africa, where a rapidly growing young population presents both challenges and opportunities for economic transformation.

By investing in youth capacity building and entrepreneurship, the Cross River State Government aims to position its young population as drivers of innovation, productivity, and sustainable development.

The initiative represents another significant step in the state's efforts to empower its youth and foster inclusive economic growth, reinforcing Governor Otu's commitment to creating opportunities that improve livelihoods and strengthen the state's economic future.

By Ettah Emmanuel O.
Publisher | CEO, NaijaBlaseTv