The Cross River State chapter of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) has launched a skill acquisition initiative aimed at empowering 400 youths with practical entrepreneurship skills to promote self-reliance and reduce dependence on white-collar jobs.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Ikom, the State Chairman of the association, Mr. Buba Pascal-Kejie, said the programme is designed to equip young people with marketable skills in various trades while also addressing the growing challenge of youth unemployment.

“We have initiated a comprehensive skill acquisition programme to take many of our young people off the streets and prepare them for productive futures,”
Pascal-Kejie said. “The days of waiting endlessly for white-collar jobs are over. Our goal is to empower them with the capacity to create and sustain their own businesses.”

Pascal-Kejie revealed that construction is already underway on a modern skill acquisition centre along the Ikom-Calabar road. The centre will serve as the hub for training in trades such as welding, carpentry, and bricklaying, among others.

He noted that the initiative will also help curb cocoa theft, a recurring issue in cocoa-producing communities, by engaging idle youths in meaningful ventures.

“We want our young men to become contributors to societal development, not idle hands that breed insecurity. We are passionate about helping them realise their potential,” he added.

Pascal-Kejie, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Kejies Nigeria Enterprises Ltd., said the association will provide starter packs to all participants at the end of the training to help them establish their own businesses.

“This is our way of contributing to human capital development in Cross River State,” he emphasized.

In a related development, the CAN chairman disclosed that the association plans to distribute improved cocoa seedlings free to farmers across the state.

The initiative is aimed at boosting cocoa production and enhancing the quality of output.

He also revealed that the association had secured an agreement with cocoa exporters to support at least 50 Licensed Buying Agents (LBAs) with contracts and financial backing to help them grow into major players in the sector.

“We are working with exporters to build trust and expand the capacity of our LBAs. This way, they can move beyond fear of financial risks and become confident, large-scale buyers,” he explained.

Pascal-Kejie cited the association’s collaboration with Tulip Company as an example of such partnerships, noting that the company recently provided boreholes in Balep, Bendeghe-Affi, and Akparabong communities in Ikom Local Government Area as part of its corporate social responsibility.