Cross River State Government Empowers 400 with ₦800m Grants for Farming and Reintegration

In a significant move to foster peace and economic development, the Cross River State Government has disbursed ₦800 million in grants to 400 citizens, including farmers and ex-militants from the Bakassi Defence Force. The initiative, announced by Governor Bassey Otu on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, is a strategic component of his administration’s “People First” agenda, designed to create wealth, generate employment, and bolster food sufficiency.

Each of the beneficiaries, who recently completed an intensive training program on agricultural value chains in Nasarawa State, received a grant of ₦2 million to serve as seed capital for their entrepreneurial ventures.

While addressing the beneficiaries, Governor Otu stated that the initiative was a deliberate effort to redirect the energy and strength of young people away from destructive activities toward productive ventures. He emphasized that the grant was not a display of abundant resources but a “strategic investment in human capital,” aimed at turning societal liabilities into valuable assets.

The Governor’s office confirmed that the empowerment program has a strong focus on agriculture due to its potential to ensure food security and create sustainable livelihoods. To ensure the grants are used for their intended purpose, the state’s Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Patrick Egbede, disclosed that monitoring committees have been set up in all senatorial districts. This oversight will help sustain the impact of the program and potentially lead to further funding for successful beneficiaries. The initiative has been widely praised by recipients, who have pledged to utilize the funds to positively contribute to their own development and the state’s economy.