Asuquo Cletus
The National Concern Cooperative Federation Limited (NCCFL), a federally recognized initiative, has officially launched its Cross River State office.
This is part of the renewed hope agenda as pushed by the Tinubu administration to alleviate poverty and empower grassroots communities.
The inauguration ceremony, held at BK International House in Calabar, the Cross River capital, also featured the formal induction of newly appointed state executives who will coordinate the cooperative’s operations across the 18 local government areas.
Speaking at the event, the State Chairman of NCCFL, Hon. Prince Chris Edet, described the cooperative as a strategic economic empowerment tool endorsed by President Tinubu to support farmers, artisans, and small-scale entrepreneurs nationwide.
“This initiative was launched just a few months ago by His Excellency, President Tinubu, to reach the grassroots through a cooperative model that truly responds to the needs of the people,” Prince Edet said. “NCCFL is here to help eliminate poverty by providing direct support in the form of grants, equipment, and guaranteed market access.”
Edet added that the inauguration of the state executive marks the beginning of structured outreach and registration across Cross River communities. He urged artisans, farmers, and young entrepreneurs to key into the opportunity and register at the state office, now fully operational in Calabar.
In his speech, the National President of NCCFL, Pastor Emmanuel Essien, reaffirmed the cooperative’s commitment to driving President Tinubu’s economic inclusion agenda.
“We are building a cooperative structure that works from the bottom up, with zero tolerance for bottlenecks.
“Cross River State is now officially part of this national movement. We will support every committed member — be it a farmer, barber, tailor, or technician — with the tools, training, and platform to thrive,” Emmanuel stated.
According to the cooperative, members will enjoy access to agricultural grants, working tools, and a ready market for their goods. Farmers, in particular, are guaranteed a buy-back program where NCCFL will purchase their produce for resale and export, ensuring fair prices and eliminating exploitation by middlemen.
Artisans such as barbers, welders, hairdressers, tailors, and mechanics are also set to benefit from federal support through the cooperative. Equipment and machinery needed to operate effectively will be provided to registered and verified members.
Both speakers called on residents of Cross River to embrace the initiative, describing it as a rare opportunity to “escape the cycle of poverty without needing to borrow or struggle.”
NCCFL is a federally supported cooperative movement designed to support informal sector workers and rural dwellers across Nigeria through loan-based interventions, including skills acquisition, grants, access to markets, and export facilitation.
The event drew community leaders, youth representatives, women’s groups, and local entrepreneurs who commended the initiative and pledged support for the cooperative’s success in the state.
