The Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA) has announced the launch of its new youth empowerment initiative, the People First Youth Local Entrepreneurship and Acceleration Programme (YOU-LEAP).
The programme aims to equip 5,000 young people across the state with digital, technological, and artisanal skills needed for sustainable economic growth.
According to Great Ogban, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of CRSMEDA, the YOU-LEAP programme is targeted at both urban and rural youths, helping them gain practical skills that will boost entrepreneurship and job creation. He explained that the initiative was built to give young people the tools to define their own economic paths.
“This is more than a program; it’s a strategic initiative to build a sustainable future for our state by investing in its most valuable asset—our youth,” Ogban said during a test run of the programme’s fashion and styling segment.
The first phase of YOU-LEAP will focus on five critical areas of training, including Fashion and Styling, Welding and Fabrication, Tiling, Information Communication Technology (ICT), and Video Editing.
These sectors were carefully selected to address both traditional and modern skill demands in the local economy.
The test run of the programme is already in progress, with practical sessions being conducted in partnership with local business Strings and Clad. CRSMEDA noted that the official launch of YOU-LEAP will take place after the test run is completed, setting the stage for large-scale training and empowerment across Cross River State.