Another group of 200 ex-militants from Bakassi has departed Cross River State for a two-week capacity-building session in Nasarawa, making a total of 400 participants so far.
The Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Patrick Egbede, said this second batch is undergoing the same Innovative and Integrated Agricultural Value Chain Training earlier completed by the first group.
He shared this update in Calabar, where the trainees were profiled and addressed by the State Security Adviser, Major General Obongha Ubi (retd), before heading out in convoy.
Egbede said the all-expenses-paid training programme is part of Governor Bassey Otu’s effort to expand the reach of his People First mantra to include former agitators.
He said the plan is to build a solid base for agricultural development across the state, creating jobs and economic opportunities, especially for young people.
He added that after the training, the state will support the participants with tools and resources to launch their ventures and become employers of labour.
READ ALSO: China Grants Nigeria CN¥1bn for Military Training, Arms Production
The commissioner explained that the training covers a broad range of modern farming techniques designed to equip the beneficiaries for long-term self-reliance and to discourage any return to militancy.
Major General Ubi, on his part, told the group to take the programme seriously and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the trust the government has placed in them.
He warned that a monitoring team would keep close watch to ensure the rules are followed.
The trainees pledged to remain focused and hardworking and said they were ready to make the state proud.