Great Ogban, the Director-General of the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA), has praised the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) Automotive Training Centre (ATC) in Akamkpa, describing it as a significant milestone for the growth of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem in the state.
The event, which took place at the Cross River State University of Education and Entrepreneurship, attracted key figures, including the Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan-Enoh, the Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Dr. Bong Duke, as well as dignitaries from NADDC and representatives from different sectors.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ogban highlighted the importance of the project, noting its role in driving economic opportunities and fostering local skills. He said, “The establishment of the NADDC Automotive Training Centre in Akamkpa is a crucial step towards empowering our youth and bolstering the local automotive industry. This initiative will not only create job opportunities but also promote innovation and skill development in the region.”
The new automotive training centre is expected to provide participants with practical skills needed to thrive in the automotive sector, while also strengthening the state government’s wider commitment to sustainable economic development, job creation, and industrial growth.
Industry experts believe the project will boost the automotive value chain, encourage investment, and position Cross River State as a hub for technical training and enterprise support in Nigeria.