The Oban Community in Akamkpa Local Government Area has donated 1,000 hectares of land to the Cross River State Government to support refugee livelihoods and agricultural activities, reinforcing efforts to promote self-reliance and sustainable solutions for forcibly displaced persons in the State.
The donation was formalised on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, with the signing of an agreement by the Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Mr. Efa Nyong, on behalf of the State government.
The land will provide refugees with access to productive farmland, enabling them to engage in agriculture, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to food production while fostering peaceful coexistence with host communities.
Representing the Head of the UNHCR Ogoja Sub Office, Mr. Richard Effiong commended the Oban Community for their generous donation and praised the Cross River State Government for its continued commitment to refugee protection and inclusion.
He described access to land as one of the most effective pathways to refugee self-reliance, noting that the initiative would reduce humanitarian dependency while creating lasting benefits for both refugees and host communities.
Mr. Effiong added that the agreement reflects the strong partnership among UNHCR, the Cross River State Government, and the Oban Community in advancing durable solutions for displaced persons.
In his remarks, CR-SEMA Director General, Mr. Efa Nyong, thanked the Oban Community for the donation, describing the gesture as a demonstration of compassion and shared responsibility.
He reaffirmed the State government's commitment, under Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu, to protecting refugees and expanding sustainable livelihood opportunities through strategic partnerships.
Mr. Nyong assured stakeholders that the government would continue collaborating with UNHCR and other development partners to ensure refugees are fully integrated into development initiatives while promoting food security, peaceful coexistence, and shared prosperity across Cross River State.
The agreement marked another milestone in Cross River State's efforts to provide durable solutions for displaced persons through collaboration between government, development partners, and host communities.
By David Asu
