Some of the items distributed to the beneficiaries in Calabar
PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
In a collaborative efforts aimed at preventing further proliferation of illicit trafficking and flow of Small Arms and Light Weapon (SALW) in the African Continent, the European Union (EU) and The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) in partnership with the Leadership Initiative for the Transformation and Empowerment (Lite Africa) have distributed 50 business start-up packs for the livelihood training of graduates in Cross River State.
In his opening remarks, The Executive Director, Lite Africa, Joel Bisina on behalf of the ECOWAS/EU, said the handing over of 50 business start-up items to beneficiaries of agricultural and livelihood training in Cross River and Akwa Ibom State are part of efforts to engage the youths in the region in productive ventures.
The Executive Director of Lite Africa, who was represented by Tolu Oyero during the weekend said ‘We are empowering 50 per state today bringing the total to hundred’.
According to him, ” I want to thanked and appreciate the European Union, (EU) and (ECOWAS) for supporting the ECOWAS Peace and Security Stabilization (PASS), The Nigerian component of the Small Arms and Light Weapons”
In his remarks the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State on Amunition and Rehabilition, Austine Ibok, commended the state Governor Ben Ayade and the European Union for providing the opportunity and enabling environment for youths in the South-South region.
Ibok said the programme started in 2017 after the disarmament followed by the citing of micro-projects in Bakassi, Boki, Obanliku/Obudu Local Government Areas.
The Permanent Secretary in charge of Special Services, Alfred Mboto urged the beneficiaries to make use of the items judiciously and not to sell them.
List of items for the 50 beneficiaries include- make-up box with wheel, generator, fan chair/table, mirror, choba super power professional clipper, towel warmer, clippers sterilizer, plastic chairs, hair brushes, hair spray (200ml), set of allen keys.
Others include; phone accessories HP notebook 14 laptops, 1TB HDD 4gp memory 14 inches windows 10 fan, funitures (chairs and tables), 1.5KVA generator, Industrial sewing machines among others.
