By Our Reporter
His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, is set to empower 4500 youths across the 18 Local Government Areas through the Cross River State Youth Development Summit & Empowerment, coordinated by the Office of the SSA Youth Development, Dr. Julius Obanghe Kijuo, KSJI
Dr. Kijuo, who led a high-level delegation of development partners, described the initiative as unprecedented in the State’s history:
“No government has rolled out all-round skills development and empowerment of this magnitude before.”
In his words, Governor Otu stated:
“The youths are the future of our dear State. I will do everything within my administration to ensure they are empowered for all-round development.”
The meeting brought together international and national partners who described Governor Otu as a people-oriented leader committed to youth transformation.
Key Partners Present:
1. Mr. Edmund C. Onwuliri, Director General, National Directorate of Employment – commended the Governor’s vision and pledged full NDE participation in the summit, training, and empowerment.
2. Mr. Bassem Fayad, representing MATTA Group, Lebanon – assured foreign partnership and investment support.
3. Mr. Uche Otudor, President, World Baseball5 – Africa – confirmed Cross River State as the center for annual games to build a sports economy for youths.
4. Hon. Hamza Ibrahim, Director General, N-SIP Government Enterprise & Empowerment Programme – commended the “uncommon empowerment” and assured total partnership.
5. Dr. Rita Akpan, Director, Interim Joint Matriculation Board – said the Governor’s commitment to academics inspired IJMB’s partnership.
Special Inclusion: The empowerment will also cover traders and market women.
Skills for Training & Empowerment
1. Digital Marketing & Content Creation
2. Welding & Fabrication
3. Tourism Economy
4. Green Economy & Renewable Energy
5. Programming, Robotics & Drones
6. Digital & Modern Technology in agriculture
7. Entrepreneurs SMSE
8. Training on Transforming Indigenous Talents into Global Opportunities
Gov Otu to Empower 4,500 Cross River Youths
