Gov. Otu to Empower 4,500 Cross River Youths Through Statewide Development Summit

Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, is set to empower 4,500 young people across the state's 18 Local Government Areas through the Cross River State Youth Development Summit and Empowerment 2026, an initiative being coordinated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development, led by Dr. Julius Obanghe Kijuo, KSJI.

By Victoria Omini- CALABAR 

Speaking during a strategic meeting with development partners, Dr. Kijuo described the initiative as one of the most comprehensive youth empowerment programmes ever conceived in the state. According to him, the summit will equip participants with practical skills, entrepreneurship opportunities and access to empowerment packages aimed at promoting self reliance and economic growth.

He noted that no previous administration had undertaken a youth development programme of such scale, stressing that the initiative reflects the administration's commitment to building a productive and globally competitive youth population.

Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration's resolve to prioritise youth development, stating that young people remain the future of Cross River State. He said his government would continue to invest in programmes that create opportunities for skills acquisition, employment and sustainable development.

The meeting attracted both national and international development partners, who commended the Governor's commitment to youth empowerment and pledged their support for the success of the summit.

Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr. Edmund C. Onwuliri, lauded the Governor's vision and assured full participation of the agency in the training and empowerment programme.

Representing MATTA Group of Lebanon, Mr. Bassem Fayad pledged international partnership and investment support to enhance the initiative.

President of World Baseball5 Africa, Mr. Uche Otudor, announced that Cross River State would serve as the centre for the annual Baseball5 games, a move expected to stimulate sports development and create economic opportunities for young people.

Director General of the National Social Investment Programme Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, Hon. Hamza Ibrahim, described the initiative as an exceptional empowerment drive and assured the state government of full collaboration.

Also speaking, Director of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board, Dr. Rita Akpan, said the Governor's commitment to educational advancement inspired the organisation's decision to partner with the programme.

Beyond youths, the empowerment initiative will also extend to traders and market women, broadening its economic impact across communities in the state.

Prospective participants are expected to receive training in digital marketing and content creation, welding and fabrication, tourism economy, green economy and renewable energy, programming, robotics and drone technology, modern digital agriculture, entrepreneurship for small and medium scale enterprises, and strategies for transforming indigenous talents into global opportunities.