A Disability Advocate commend Governor Otu’s Social Investment Programme: Putting the People First in Action

By Job-nsor Napoleon Agbor, A University Don and Disability Rights Advocate

The recent unveiling of the Cross River State Social Investment Programme (CRSIP) by His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, marks a turning point in the social and economic direction of our state. It is a thoughtful and timely initiative that truly reflects the governor’s People First mantra—governance that listens, serves, and uplifts.

Governor Otu’s passion for the welfare of the poor and vulnerable was evident as he described CRSIP as a “people-centred covenant” designed to ensure that the benefits of government reach every household across the 196 political wards. With the introduction of Project HOPE, aimed at restoring dignity and purpose to the elderly and other vulnerable members of society, the administration has once again demonstrated its compassion and commitment to inclusive governance.

As a scholar and disability rights advocate, I find this development not only commendable but also strategically important for the socio-economic renewal of Cross River State. However, it is essential that the implementation architecture of CRSIP be inclusive, evidence-based, and community-driven — otherwise, it risks falling into the pitfalls that plagued similar programmes at the national level.

Having studied the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) launched under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, one major lesson stands out: good policies fail when poorly implemented. The NSIP, though noble in intent, struggled to deliver inclusively because of weak institutional capacity, corruption, politicized beneficiary selection, and the absence of credible data on persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups.

To avoid these mistakes and ensure that CRSIP truly delivers on its promise, Cross River State can adapt lessons from the globally acclaimed Saemaul Undong (New Village) Model of South Korea — a grassroots transformation approach built on self-help, diligence, and cooperation.

Here’s how this can work for Cross River:

1. Community-Led Structures:

Each of the 196 wards should establish a Community Investment Committee (CIC) made up of youth, women, elders, and persons with disabilities. These committees should help identify local needs, co-design projects, and monitor outcomes. This ensures genuine participation and accountability.

2. Data-Driven Targeting:

Government should conduct a digital vulnerability mapping of all wards to identify and verify the poor, elderly, and PWDs. This will eliminate political bias and ensure that every intervention is evidence-based.

3. Capacity Building and Cooperative Empowerment:

Instead of one-off handouts, beneficiaries should receive training in cooperative enterprise management, financial literacy, and small-scale entrepreneurship. Empowerment must be sustainable, not seasonal.

4. Partnership and Accountability:

The Cross-Value and Partnership Committee should include civil society groups, academia, and disability organizations to ensure transparency. Regular public scorecards can strengthen citizens’ trust.

5. Accessibility and Inclusion:

All CRSIP registration and feedback platforms should be disability-friendly, with accessible digital formats and physical accommodations for those with visual, hearing, or mobility challenges.

If implemented through this bottom-up approach, CRSIP will not only fight poverty but also foster community ownership, social justice, and a stronger sense of belonging among citizens. It will demonstrate that Cross River State is leading the way in showing how social protection can work — not as a top-down handout, but as a grassroots empowerment model.

Governor Otu’s People First covenant deserves every commendation. By embedding inclusivity and community ownership at the heart of CRSIP, Cross River State can set a national example of what it means to govern with compassion, accountability, and foresight.

Indeed, this is not just a social programme — it is a bold declaration that every Cross Riverian counts.

Think Cross River State. Think People First.

Job-nsor Napoleon Agbor is a seasoned Researcher in Accounting, specialising in Forensic Accounting, ESG Disclosures Quality, and Sustainability Performance. An APC member He is also a Disability Rights Advocate and convener: UN CRPD Independent Monitoring Ad Hoc Consortium. An APC Member