By Onwa Ekor
Desperate to boost entrepreneurship spirit among young people, the Cross River Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CR-MEDA) has officially inaugurated the People First Entrepreneurship Clubs and Competition for secondary schools in the southern senatorial district of the state.
The launch drew 40 participating schools which received enterprise kits, certificates of participation, training manuals, and logbooks to support their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of MEDA, Great Ogban, informed that the initiative aims to instill a culture of entrepreneurship among youths.
He maintained that the People First Entrepreneurship Clubs and Competition is designed to cultivate the next generation of business leaders in the state, aligning seamlessly with the vision of Governor Bassey Otu.
Accountant-General of the State, Dr Glory Effiong, applauded the organisers of the initiative, pointing out that it would inspire the entrepreneurial spirit among students.
She charged the participants to take the program seriously, hinting that plans have reached advanced stage to introduce artisanal training programs such as welding, fabrication, carpentry, and fashion designing, among others, in secondary schools across the state.
The Programme coordinator, Enwongo-Abasi Okon, explained that each participating school will be assigned a mentor and a volunteer.
Okon also intimated of thorough monitoring and evaluation exercise to provide advisory support to the students during the program.
The event featured an entrepreneurship masterclass, a mini business pitch session, and breakout discussions with students from all seven local government areas in the Southern Senatorial District.
In attendance were the Executive Secretaries of Education in the Southern Senatorial District.
