The programme combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning delivered by volunteer educators …
By CANL Media
Cygnus Alliances Nigeria Limited (CANL) has achieved a major milestone in Obanliku Local Government Area, Cross River State, with the signing of three strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), marking the launch of a comprehensive public–private initiative aimed at transforming agricultural education, youth empowerment, and rural economic development.
The MOUs were signed between CANL, the Obanliku Local Government Council, Corner Stone Secondary School, Sankwala, and Godbey Commercial Secondary School, Sankwala. The partnership is designed to reposition agriculture as a modern, technology-driven, and economically viable career pathway for secondary school students.
Dr Joseph Ebebe Agba, Secretary of Council, signed on behalf of the Obanliku Local Government Council, having been delegated by the Executive Chairman, Chief Sunny Ayang, JP. He described the agreement as a defining moment for the local government area.
“This partnership goes beyond signatures on paper. By integrating agribusiness and agro-technology into our secondary schools, we are preparing students not just to pass examinations, but to create value, generate income, and contribute meaningfully to society,” Dr Agba said.
Speaking virtually from Texas, United States, the Chief Executive Officer of CANL, Prince Isaac Achu, described the Obanliku initiative as the fulfilment of a long-held vision to reshape youth development through education, technology, and enterprise.
“This partnership is a dream come true for us at CANL. We envision a future where young people are taught not merely to memorise facts, but to solve real problems and build sustainable livelihoods from what they learn in school,” Prince Achu said.
He explained that the programme was designed to produce globally competitive learners rooted in local realities. “Classrooms will extend into farms, technology will meet tradition, and students will graduate not just with certificates, but with competence, confidence, and purpose,” he added.
The MOU
Under the MOUs, the partners will collaborate to embed agricultural education and agribusiness practice into the academic framework of participating secondary schools.
CANL will collaborate with the Obanliku Local Government Council, the Cross River State Ministry of Education, SUBEB, and other stakeholders to develop a customised agricultural science curriculum tailored to the ecological and economic realities of Obanliku.
The programme combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning delivered by volunteer educators and agribusiness practitioners. Students and teachers will be exposed to workshops, field demonstrations, and agricultural fairs, while also using modern agro-digital tools such as mobile applications, sensors, and monitoring dashboards to promote data-driven farming.
The Supervisor for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon Gabriel Ugbo, said the initiative aligns with the council’s agricultural development agenda.
“Our students will not only learn agriculture in theory, but practise it using modern tools that strengthen food security and create sustainable livelihoods,” Ugbo said.
Stakeholders described the initiative as a replicable model for education-led rural development. Mr Innocent Anyonya, Principal of Godbey Commercial Secondary School, said the programme gives students “dignity of labour backed by knowledge, technology, and enterprise.”
Reaffirming CANL’s commitment, Ugal noted: “We are not just educating students; we are building an economy and shaping a future of opportunity for Obanliku and beyond.”
The partnership is expected to contribute significantly to youth employment, rural prosperity, and long-term food security in Cross River State.