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Ukorebi Esien | September 21, 2025
CALABAR – The Cross River State Commissioner for Youth Development and Skill Acquisition, Barr. Odum-Ijom Ukam, has made a passionate call for peace in the state, declaring that "enough is enough" as he urged young people to shun violence and embrace dialogue on the occasion of the 2025 International Day of Peace.
Speaking in a statement issued in Calabar on Sunday, the Commissioner said this year's United Nations theme, "Partnerships for Peace: Dignity for All," aligns with the government's commitment to promote inclusion, tolerance, and cooperation as pillars of sustainable development.
"On behalf of the Ministry of Youth Development and Skill Acquisition, I reaffirm the unwavering commitment of Cross River State to fostering a culture of peace and non-violence, especially among our young people who are the heartbeat of our society," Ukam stated.
He emphasized that the future of Cross River cannot continue to be undermined by recurring clashes that disproportionately affect young people. According to him, youths are too often caught in the center of communal violence across Abi, Biase, Obubra, Boki, Yala, Obudu, and boundary communities.
"They are sometimes drawn into these conflicts as fighters, yet more painfully, they suffer the greatest losses: lost lives, disrupted education, displacement, and shattered dreams," the Commissioner lamented.
Declaring an end to the cycle of violence, Ukam said: "As Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, I stand today to say: enough is enough. The future of our dear state cannot continue to be mortgaged on the altar of avoidable violence."
The Commissioner outlined the state's strategy to build peace through youth engagement, which includes civic education, digital literacy, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and support for Peace Clubs in schools and communities.
"Our Ministry is committed to engaging young people as peacebuilders, not perpetrators of violence, through civic education, skills development, and dialogue platforms," he explained. "We will expand youth empowerment programmes so that poverty and unemployment no longer become weapons in the hands of conflict entrepreneurs."
Ukam also called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and political stakeholders to discourage violence and instead safeguard the future of young people.
"Every time we encourage violence, it is our sons and daughters and our youths who pay the highest price. Let us therefore protect their future by investing in peace today," he appealed.
In line with the People First Agenda of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Ukam assured that the Ministry will continue to prioritize youth development as a cornerstone of peace and sustainable growth.
He concluded with a strong message to the youth: "On this International Day of Peace, I call on our young people: choose peace, choose dialogue, choose development. Your voices matter. Your energy is powerful. Use it to build the Cross River of our dreams."
The International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations in 1981, is marked globally every September 21 to strengthen the ideals of peace both within and among nations.
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