Ukorebi Esien | July 24, 2026
CALABAR –The Cross River State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has endorsed Governor Bassey Edet Otu for a second term in office, citing his administration's performance and responsiveness to issues affecting young people across the state.
The endorsement followed a meeting of the State Management Committee (SMC) of the council, where members reviewed reports from all 18 local government areas and assessed the council's activities over the past two years.
Speaking after the meeting in Calabar, the State Chairman of the NYCN, Comrade Emmanuel Olayi, said the decision was informed by findings from the council's statewide assessment tour, during which youth leaders engaged communities and evaluated government projects and interventions.
According to him, the council's report captured both positive developments and areas requiring urgent attention, noting that government had already begun responding to some of the concerns raised.
"We presented to the management committee the outcome of our tour across the local government areas. Based on what we found on the field, the National Youth Council resolved to support His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu, for a second-term bid," Olayi said.
"Our report was in two parts – the positive achievements and the challenges we observed. We submitted our findings to government, and I am pleased that interventions have already commenced in some of those areas."
The NYCN chairman explained that the meeting also reviewed the council's programmes since assuming office two years ago, including the Solemn Assembly, the Youth Convergence, statewide engagement tours, and preparations for upcoming International Youth Day Activities.
As part of efforts to strengthen youth coordination in the state, the State Management Committee approved the immediate commencement of a registration and revalidation exercise for youth organisations in collaboration with the Cross River State Ministry of Youth Development.
Olayi disclosed that a digital portal would be launched within two weeks to enable youth organisations operating in the state to register, revalidate their status or formally affiliate with the council.
He said the initiative would provide government with reliable data on youth organisations, improve coordination, and ensure that programmes and opportunities reach a broader segment of the youth population.
The committee also empowered the state leadership to constitute a committee to investigate the conduct of some members of the council and make recommendations for appropriate action in line with the organisation's constitution.
Reaffirming the council's statutory role, Olayi noted that the Cross River State Government had consistently recognised the National Youth Council of Nigeria as the umbrella body for youth organisations in the state, pledging that the council would continue to work with government to promote youth development, leadership and civic participation.
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