February 10, 2026
By Patricia Ogbeche (IPRO)
The Cross River State Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has organized a one-day training on the use and implementation of the Trace and Track Digital Platform under Project HOPE Gov. Education, a World Bank–supported initiative.
The training, held in Calabar, focused on technical capacity building, system operations, book tracking, and data management, and brought together EMIS and ICT officers from all 18 Local Government Areas of the state. The programme is designed to strengthen transparency and accountability in the distribution and management of educational resources across public schools.
The Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, Esq. was present at the venue to ensure effective coordination of the training.
In his welcome address, The Commissioner Senator Odey described the workshop as a critical step in repositioning the education sector in Cross River State. He said it was with great pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that he welcomed participants to the one-day training on the implementation of the Trace and Track digital platform under the Project HOPE Education Programme.
The Commissioner expressed delight at the presence of education administrators, EMIS officers, and other key stakeholders, noting that their participation would enhance capacity for accountability while building strong leadership and collective commitment toward a smarter and more efficient education system in the state.
Senator Odey commended His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Dr. Apostle (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, for his timely approval and release of funds for the development and deployment of the Trace and Track Digital Portal, as well as for the procurement of the required ICT equipment.
He further noted that the training represents a significant shift in the state’s approach to resource management, stressing that the era of receiving instructional materials without proper tracking or ensuring they reach intended pupils and teachers in public schools is over.
Highlighting the purpose of the training, the Commissioner explained that EMIS and ICT officers across the 18 LGAs are the key drivers responsible for implementing the digital platform in schools statewide. According to him, the primary goal of the initiative is to leverage technology to monitor the movement of instructional materials including textbooks, laboratory equipment, and teaching aids provided by the government and development partners such as the World Bank, UBEC/UNICEF, and UNFPA, from the point of dispatch to the final end-users in classrooms.
He added that the Trace and Track system is expected to ensure transparency by eliminating leakages and diversion of materials, enhance accountability through real-time data on inventory and distribution, and improve efficiency by guaranteeing timely delivery of learning materials to improve pupils’ learning experience.
Reaffirming the commitment of the current administration to improving education quality, Senator Odey emphasized that teachers are nation builders who deserve the right tools to function effectively, noting that the training would ensure such tools are not lost in transit.
The Commissioner urged EMIS and ICT officers to take the training seriously, stressing that the skills they are acquiring would transform the way they operate. He encouraged participants to remain attentive, engage facilitators actively, and ensure full implementation of the system upon returning to their respective Local Government Areas and schools.
As part of the programme, Senator Odey presented brand new laptop systems to all EMIS and ICT officers across the 18 LGAs to support effective implementation of the digital platform.
He expressed appreciation to all partners, including the Chairman of CR-SUBEB who was represented by Mr. Etta Inyang Eyo the permanent secretary SUBEB for attending the training and offering useful contributions toward the development of the Trace and Track Digital Portal. He also thanked ministry officials and the Project HOPE Team for planning and organizing the training.
The Commissioner further commended Creative Alpha Ville Nigeria Limited for making the training possible, as approved by His Excellency, Senator Apostle (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, and for supplying the required ICT equipment.
Senator Odey officially declared the training workshop open and wished participants fruitful deliberations.