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Ukorebi Esien | July 17, 2026
The training, organised through the Office of the State Coordinator, Social Investment Programme, was held on Friday at Axari Hotels in Calabar and drew more than 85 participants from the Southern Senatorial District.
The State Coordinator for Social Intervention and Investment Programme, Edem Effiom, said the initiative was designed to strengthen grassroots implementation of Governor Bassey Otu’s “People First” social investment agenda.
According to him, the Ward Development Officers, who were appointed by the state government, are expected to serve as the closest link between government and communities, ensuring that social investment programmes reach vulnerable residents at the ward level.
“We just felt that since they are the closest people to the ward, they are the ones that should be trained to carry His Excellency’s People First mantra to the grassroots,” Effiom said.
He disclosed that the government plans to support 150 beneficiaries under the programme, with 100 expected to benefit from direct cash transfers, while others will receive skills acquisition and empowerment support.
Effiom emphasised that the programme is not restricted to members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that beneficiaries would be drawn from different strata of society, including women groups, youth groups, traditional institutions, religious bodies, and other political parties.
He added that the state government is digitising the social register process to enhance transparency, prevent duplication, and reduce political interference in the selection of beneficiaries.
“To fight political interference, we are building the capacity of these officers so they understand the limits of their responsibilities and can ensure that the process remains fair and transparent,” he said.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme and State Coordinator of the African Union Development Agency/New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD, Dr. Prince Michael Nku Abuo, said the 196 Ward Development Officers would act as the “eyes and ears” of the governor at the grassroots.
He explained that the officers were appointed from CRISPON and would work closely with the Social Intervention Office to drive the social investment programme across all wards in the state.
Nku Abuo said the beneficiary selection process would include representatives from churches, Muslim communities, women groups, youth groups, traditional institutions, and both APC and non-APC political actors.
“This programme is structured in such a way that everybody is properly carried along. It is not meant for one political party alone, but for all Cross Riverians who meet the criteria,” he said.
The Chairman of Cross River State Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) Dr. Kalita Joseph Aruku, described the training as “very important and critical,” noting that it is a key component of the state’s social investment programme.
He urged young people to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing the PVC as a legitimate tool for democratic participation and change.
The Conditional Cash Transfer programme is part of Nigeria’s broader National Social Safety Nets initiative, aimed at reducing poverty and improving the welfare of poor and vulnerable households through targeted financial support and social protection interventions.
Officials said the exercise forms part of a statewide plan to train 196 Ward Development Officers across the 196 council wards of Cross River State, with the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts scheduled for similar training next week.
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