Cross River students to embrace entrepreneurship with new competition
Senior secondary school students in the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State are brimming with business optimism following the successful inauguration of the People First Entrepreneurship Clubs and Competitions.
The initiative, a brainchild of the state government and implemented by the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA), aims to instill entrepreneurial mindset in students at a young age. Students selected from 30 government schools across the district participated in a special masterclass and shared innovative business concepts, signaling a strong early interest in the programme.
The student feedback strongly endorsed the new programme. Egbegwu Great-Favor from Agbo Comprehensive Secondary School, Egbori, argued that the clubs should be replicated statewide to give more students crucial firsthand experience in business development.
Similarly, Efem Gift Alaga of Community Secondary School, Itigidi, noted, “Entrepreneurship is about creating jobs and bridging the gap of unemployment.” She added that the masterclass has already inspired her to be more intentional in managing her mother’s local tabletop business. For Agbor Favor Lifa from Yalankum Community Secondary School, the event was his “first time learning about entrepreneurship,” an opportunity for which he expressed gratitude to the state government.
Nissi Ibiang, manager, corporate affairs and clients’ services at MEDA, led the masterclass, urging students to move beyond concepts and focus on action. She challenged the participants to identify pressing needs within their communities and engineer viable solutions, emphasizing that this problem-solving approach is the core of entrepreneurship.
Enwongo-Abasi Okon, programme coordinator, stated the pilot phase is designed to shape young minds and encourage them to embrace business development. The stakes for this initial phase are high: the one hundred participating schools will face off in a competition at a later date, with the chance to win prizes up to N1 million along with other consolation prizes.
The inauguration event saw attendance from key educational stakeholders, including education secretaries from the Central Senatorial District: Ekpae Ogar (Ikom), Enyianani Odohi (Abi), Arop John (Boki), Amba Ndifon (Etung), Mmanake Ubi (Yakurr), Ekoyi Ayami (Obubra), and Caroline Okongor, coordinating supervisory director (CSD).
