Over 2,400 civil servants in Cross River State have successfully graduated from Batches 1 to 6 of the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity and High Performance (CIVTECH) Digital Skills Programme. The landmark graduation ceremony brought together government officials, permanent secretaries, directors, civil servants, tech enthusiasts and key stakeholders to celebrate this major step toward building a digitally skilled and technology-driven public service.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Barr. Orok Bassey Okon, representing the State Governor, emphasized the imperative of digital transformation in governance, revealing that Cross River State is committed to going completely paperless by 2029.
He stressed that acquiring modern digital skills is essential for civil servants to operate effectively within an increasingly automated and tech-driven public sector.
In his opening speech, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA), Mr. Great Ogban, highlighted the vital role of the month-long intensive CIVTECH programme in equipping workers with practical digital tools. Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Chief Whip of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong, and the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Dr. Justin Beshel, who both reaffirmed the power of technology in driving state development and empowering future generations.
The event attracted an array of prominent dignitaries, including the Centre Manager of the Cross River State ICT Hub, Mr. Ekuri Ekuri Asu, and the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Barr. Ujom Ukam, along with several permanent secretaries and senior government leaders. Their presence underscored the broad institutional support for embedding digital competencies across all tiers of state administration.
Marking a major milestone in public service delivery, the graduation coincided with Cross River State’s maiden TechFest, centered on the theme “From Training to Outcomes.” The combined celebrations also commemorated the first anniversary of the Cross River ICT Hub, further reflecting the state’s unwavering commitment to fostering an efficient, innovative, and modern workforce.
