The Cross River State Government has released the beneficiary list for Phase 2 of the Retiree Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI), covering successful applicants from the Northern, Central and Southern Senatorial Districts.
The announcement marks the next stage of the state-backed empowerment programme aimed at supporting retirees with entrepreneurial training and business development opportunities, as part of efforts to improve post-service economic sustainability across the state.
According to the official notice, all shortlisted beneficiaries are expected to participate in mandatory training sessions scheduled in two batches beginning later this month.
Training schedule for selected beneficiaries
The state government disclosed that training for the first batch of beneficiaries will commence on Monday, April 20, 2026, while the second batch is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Beneficiaries have been instructed to carefully check their assigned batch and ensure attendance only within their designated training window, as switching between batches will not be permitted.
The batch arrangement applies uniformly across the three senatorial districts:
- Northern Senatorial District
- Central Senatorial District
- Southern Senatorial District
Officials noted that strict compliance with assigned batch dates is necessary to ensure orderly coordination of the training exercise.
Venue flexibility allowed, but batch changes prohibited
While beneficiaries are permitted to attend any training centre closest to their location for convenience, the government emphasised that venue flexibility does not extend to batch rescheduling.
This means that although a participant may choose the nearest available training location within their district, attendance must still align strictly with the batch date assigned to that beneficiary.
The directive is intended to reduce logistical pressure on training centres while maintaining structured participant flow.
Still In Service beneficiaries also included
The Cross River State Government has also released the REDI Phase 2 comprehensive beneficiary list for applicants who are still in active service under the programme.
Unlike beneficiaries listed under the Northern, Central and Southern Senatorial District categories, those in the still-in-service category are scheduled to begin training only in Batch 2, which starts on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Officials said all still-in-service beneficiaries must strictly comply with their assigned batch schedule and will only be admitted into training venues upon presentation of a valid means of identification.
Valid identification mandatory for access
The government also stated that all beneficiaries must present a valid means of identification before they will be granted entry into the training sessions.
Accepted identification documents include:
- National Identity Card
- Permanent Voter’s Card
- Driver’s Licence
Officials warned that failure to provide valid identification may result in denial of access to the venue, regardless of beneficiary status on the published list.
What REDI Phase 2 means for retirees in Cross River
The Retiree Entrepreneurship Development Initiative is designed to equip retired civil servants and eligible senior citizens with entrepreneurial skills that can help them transition into business and self-sustaining ventures after retirement.
Phase 2 of the programme expands the reach of the initiative by onboarding a new set of beneficiaries across the state’s three senatorial districts, reflecting the government’s continued focus on economic inclusion for retirees.
The release of the beneficiary list is expected to trigger increased participation as selected applicants prepare for onboarding and training ahead of implementation.
Beneficiaries advised to verify details early
Selected applicants are advised to confirm their names on the official beneficiary list and make preparations ahead of their scheduled batch dates to avoid last-minute complications.
Authorities also urged beneficiaries to arrive early at their chosen training centres with the required identification documents and comply fully with all instructions issued for the exercise.
The government congratulated all successful applicants and described the programme as a major step toward empowering retirees with practical tools for long-term financial independence.
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