The Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are exploring a strategic partnership to advance youth skills development, economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood opportunities across the state.
The proposed collaboration emerged during a working visit to MEDA by a UNICEF delegation led by its Skills and Livelihood Officer, Emmanuel Bamidele, to explore areas of cooperation, particularly through the implementation of UNICEF’s Passport to Earning (P2E) programme.
Speaking during the visit, Bamidele said UNICEF was seeking stronger collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies in Cross River State to expand opportunities for young people through skills acquisition, financial empowerment and livelihood development.
He explained that livelihood development connects skills acquisition with financial empowerment and youth advancement, stressing the importance of equipping young people with practical competencies to improve their economic prospects.
“Livelihood sits at the intersection of skills acquisition, financial empowerment and youth development. Working with relevant agencies such as MEDA will help us strengthen opportunities for young people to acquire useful skills and build sustainable livelihoods,” Bamidele said.
He added that UNICEF adopts a holistic and inclusive approach to youth development, focusing on the potential of young people without separating interventions along gender lines.
Bamidele expressed UNICEF’s interest in partnering with MEDA to implement the Passport to Earning programme, designed to equip young people with market-relevant skills that can improve employability, support entrepreneurship and enable them to earn sustainable incomes.
Responding, MEDA’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Great Ogban, outlined the agency’s achievements in promoting entrepreneurship and supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Cross River State.
Ogban disclosed that MEDA had disbursed more than ₦500 million to strengthen small and medium-scale businesses, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to enterprise development, job creation and economic self-reliance.
He said, “MEDA remains committed to promoting the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises in Cross River State. We recognise that enterprise development is critical to creating economic opportunities and supporting sustainable livelihoods.”
The MEDA chief executive also cited the recent recognition of Governor Bassey Otu by the Presidency as the Most MSME-Friendly Governor, describing it as an acknowledgement of the administration’s commitment to supporting small businesses.
Ogban assured the UNICEF delegation of MEDA’s readiness to collaborate on the Passport to Earning programme, expressing confidence that the partnership would create opportunities for young people to acquire relevant skills and improve their economic prospects.
The proposed collaboration is expected to strengthen the link between skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods, supporting efforts to prepare young people for employment and productive participation in the economy of Cross River State.
By Kingsley Agim
