Otu Flags Off Cross River AI Training and Empowerment Programme, Urges Beneficiaries to Leverage Skills for Improved Livelihoods, Economic Growth

Otu Flags Off Cross River AI Training and Empowerment Programme, Urges Beneficiaries to Leverage Skills for Improved Livelihoods, Economic Growth

The Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, on Friday, October 9, 2026, flagged off the state's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training and Empowerment Programme. 

The initiative led by Comr. Hon. Bright Ewona, Ph.D., Special Adviser to the Governor on Wealth Creation and held at Prof. Eyo Ita House, Calabar aims to equip Cross Riverians, particularly, the youths with digital skills, promote innovation, and create employment and wealth-building opportunities.

Flagging off the event, Governor Otu highlighted his administration's efforts in empowering Cross Riverians, particularly through the various MDAs connected with youth development, education, women affairs, science and technology, human capital development, wealth creation and others, urging participants to stay focused and acquire the knowledge needed to create wealth, improve their livelihoods, and become economically self-reliant.

Otu, who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Patrick Egbede, encouraged beneficiaries to harness the potential of AI to drive innovation, improve productivity, and contribute to the state's development as the world embraces digitalisation.

In his opening address, the convener and special Adviser on Wealth Creation, Comr. Hon. Bright Ewona, PhD described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the Otu administration's commitment to human capital development and economic empowerment, disclosing that the programme was designed to prepare Cross Riverians for the opportunities and challenges of the digital economy, in line with the "People First" philosophy of the administration. 

He maintained that AI offers significant opportunities for students, teachers, entrepreneurs, civil servants, politicians, and professionals to improve productivity, establish businesses, and stay competitive and disclosed that the current exercise is the pilot phase, which began in the Southern Senatorial District and will extend to the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts, respectively. 

Ewona commended Governor Otu for his commitment to job creation, youth empowerment and economic emancipation and thanked other officials and MDAs for their supports and partnerships. 

He urged participants to approach the training with seriousness and turn their knowledge into practical innovations, employment, and sustainable businesses.

Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Education and Chairman of the Forum of Commissioners, Dist. Sen. Prof. Stephen Adi Odey, stressed that digital literacy is increasingly important across education, business, public administration, and entrepreneurship, and encouraged participants to embrace continuous learning and innovation.

Odey urged participants to embrace the training as an opportunity to expand their knowledge, develop practical competencies, and position themselves to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the digital economy.

He also emphasized the importance of continuous learning and innovation in building a workforce capable of responding to changing economic realities and contributing to the state's development. 

Similarly, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, in his speech, urged beneficiaries to look beyond certificates and focus on practical knowledge that can solve problems and build sustainable businesses.

Ayambem who was represented by Hon. Engr. Thomas Aruku, member representing Ogoja state constituency in the Cross River state House of Assembly, encouraged participants to remain committed to the learning process and apply their newly acquired skills to create employment opportunities for others. 

Also contributing, the Commissioner for Science, Innovation and Technology, Associate Professor Justin Beshel, described the programme as a timely intervention aligned with the state's drive for technological advancement. He called for sustained collaboration among government agencies to expand access to digital opportunities across the state.

The commissioner further stressed the need to equip residents with skills required to understand and apply new technologies productively, noting that AI could provide valuable tools for improving efficiency, supporting entrepreneurship and developing solutions to everyday challenges. 

He restated his commitment to supporting and partnering with initiatives that are geared toward promoting technological awareness and skill acquisition, stressing that sustained collaboration among government agencies would be essential to expanding access to digital opportunities across the state. 

In their reactions, beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the opportunity, describing the programme as a valuable platform for personal development, improved productivity, and economic empowerment.

They pledged to take the training seriously, apply their skills to practical challenges and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.

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