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Ukorebi Esien | May 30, 2026
ABUJA – The youth community in Cross River State has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the administration of Governor Bassey Otu in advancing the state's development agenda, as the governor marked three years in office amid widespread commendation for his efforts in youth inclusion, empowerment, and economic revitalization.
The pledge was made by the Chairman of the Youth Council of Nigeria (YCN), Cross River State Chapter, Emmanuel Olayi, during a Town hall Meeting with Cross Riverians resident in Abuja to commemorate the third anniversary of the administration of Governor Otu and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.
Speaking at the anniversary celebration attended by government officials, political leaders, community stakeholders, and youths from across the state, Olayi described the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on the administration's achievements and the progress recorded under what he termed the governor's visionary leadership.
He noted that the youth constituency remains a critical stakeholder in the development of Cross River State and expressed satisfaction with the administration's deliberate efforts to create opportunities for young people in governance, leadership, entrepreneurship, and skills development.
According to Olayi, the governor has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to youth inclusion, a development that has encouraged greater participation of young people in public service and the political process.
"On behalf of the youth community in Cross River State, I congratulate His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, on their third year in office. We acknowledge the progress made so far and appreciate the administration's commitment to building a better future for all Cross Riverians," he said.
The YCN chairman disclosed that he used the opportunity of the anniversary celebration to present to the governor findings from the recently concluded statewide **Future First Unity and Assessment Tour**, an initiative designed to engage young people across the state's eighteen local government areas and gather their perspectives on governance, development, and the future of Cross River State.
He explained that the tour provided a platform for direct interaction with youths in urban and rural communities, enabling the council to identify key concerns, expectations, and aspirations of young people.
"The report contains valuable feedback from youths across the state. It reflects their hopes, challenges, and recommendations on how government can further deepen development and improve opportunities for young people. We are pleased to formally present these findings to His Excellency," Olayi stated.
As part of the event, the Youth Council also presented a **Seal of Appreciation and Endorsement** to Governor Otu. The recognition, Olayi explained, emerged from the grand finale of the statewide Youth Unity and Assessment Tour and was intended to acknowledge the governor's efforts in promoting youth-friendly policies and programmes.
He specifically commended the administration's support for youth empowerment initiatives, including entrepreneurship programmes, skills acquisition schemes, and digital training opportunities aimed at equipping young people with the tools needed to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.
The youth leader further recalled the council's "Not Too Young to Lead" advocacy campaign launched before the political party primaries, noting that the campaign sought to encourage political parties to create more opportunities for young people to seek elective offices.
According to him, the emergence of several young candidates during the electoral process reflected growing recognition of the need to involve youths in leadership and decision-making.
While commending the governor for setting the pace, Olayi called on other political actors and institutions to deliberately expand opportunities for young people, stressing that sustainable development can only be achieved when youths are actively involved in governance.
"We encourage all stakeholders to continue investing in young people. Youth inclusion should not be seen as a favour but as a strategic necessity for the growth and stability of our society," he said.
He also urged young people across the state to justify the confidence reposed in them by taking responsibility, demonstrating leadership, and contributing meaningfully to community development and nation-building.
Reaffirming the commitment of the youth community to the state's progress, Olayi pledged continued collaboration with the Otu administration in promoting peace, unity, innovation, and sustainable development.
"For us as a youth community, we will continue to sustain our partnership with government in the collective task of building a prosperous Cross River State. We believe that the future is now, and young people must remain active partners in shaping that future," he added.
The anniversary celebration provided an avenue for stakeholders to review the administration's performance over the past three years and highlight key milestones recorded in areas such as infrastructure development, economic recovery, investment promotion, social welfare, and human capital development.
Many participants at the event expressed optimism about the state's future and urged continued collaboration between government, civil society, the private sector, and young people to accelerate development and improve the quality of life for citizens.
The event concluded with renewed calls for unity, inclusive governance, and sustained efforts to position Cross River State as a leading destination for investment, tourism, and sustainable economic growth.
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