Ani Bassey
The Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade has warned ex-agitators not to sell the start-up packs presented to them through the ECOWAS Small Arms Project.
The governor gave the charge at the Police Headquarters when 50 Ex agitators received start-up packs.
The governor who was represented by his deputy Professor Ivara Esu appealed to them to use the opportunity to start a new livelihood and end poverty.
“Please do not sell these items because some people may give them items worth 500,000 and they will go ahead and sell it for 100,000.
“Use this wisely to promote your own business and to free yourself from poverty.
“This is the practical aspect of permanently saying goodbye to poverty and let this also be a source of final integration of yourself to the society”, he said.
He also appealed to the EU/ECOWAS not to let people wait for too long and begin to forget their training before getting their packs.
Speaking earlier, Joel Bisina Ph.D., Executive Director, LITE -Africa on behalf of ECOWAS-EU said the presentation of packs is another important day in the implementation of the ECOWAS-EU Small Arms and Light Weapons Action.
Tolu Oyero who read the executive director’s speech said the action is aimed at preventing further proliferation of illicit trafficking and flow of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria.
He added that those benefitting today are persons trained in barbing, fashion/design, ICT, graphic design, and many more.
He commended the government of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states for creating the enabling setting for the implementation of the action.
One of the beneficiaries Norman Chika commended the state government as well as LITE – Africa for making the presentation of the packs a reality.
He pledged to make good use of the items to improve his life, expand his business and also create more employment.
Other benefiting states in the country are Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.
