To further strengthen his administration’s commitment to tackling post-retirement poverty, the Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, has officially flagged off the second phase of the Retiree Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI).
The program, which comprises 1,500 participants, will run for a cumulative period of four weeks across the three senatorial districts of Cross River State.
Representing the Governor, Great Ogban, Director-General/CEO of the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA), asserted that Phase Two is a direct ripple effect of the positive impact recorded during the initial phase. He urged all participants to capitalize on the initiative to secure their financial future.
To ensure the sustainability of these new ventures, the DG highlighted a two-tier financial support system: participants will receive initial capital courtesy of the state government upon completion of the program while CRSMEDA will provide access to single-digit loan facilities to help retirees further scale their businesses.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Ignatius Atsu, the pioneer Director General of MEDA, noted that the agency’s mandate remains focused on driving the growth of MSMEs by providing essential business development training and technical expertise. He remarked that the Agency is now in its 15th year of operation, following its establishment in 2011 by former Governor Sen. Liyel Imoke.
Key officials in attendance include Terence Elemi, REDI Coordinator; Nissi Ibiang, Manager, Corporate Affairs and Client Services (MEDA); and Lawrence Ekpezu, Centre Manager, Enterprise Development Center.
Participants expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, pledging to utilize the training to build successful enterprises. Mrs. Edim Eyo Archibong, a recent retiree, shared her enthusiasm for the program, noting that she intends to seize the opportunity to significantly enhance her business acumen.
