Ayade Charges Youths As APC Lobby Group Ends Youths Summit In C/River 

Thousands youths from three senatorial districts of Cross River State at the weekend besieged the UJ Esuene Stadium for the Youth Summit organised by the APC Lobby Group.

In his remarks at the event, Governor Ben Ayade charged youths in the state to see themselves as essential component of the state and Nigeria, and admonished them to participate in the socio-political affairs of the nation for their interest to be protected.

He said Ngeria has made progress but the progress is not noticeable because young people have not been brought into governance.

Ayade charged young people to take their destinies in their hands,  believe in themselves, saying that it is only God that could change the destiny of any man.

“I am here to tell you that the future is now and as youths you must not be limited by the circumstances of your birth. As a government, we are going to commence a social welfare scheme that will see to the needs of the youths in the state.

“This scheme will be domiciled in the 196 wards in the state, so, as you go back to your various wards, go to your ward chairmen, councillors and traditional rulers to get involved in the scheme,” he said.

In his welcome remarks, the Cross River State Commissioner for Finance who is also a member of youth arm of the  APC, Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong, assured the state governor of the youths’ readiness to take up leadership responsibilities.

He said that there is enough capacity by youths to  accommodate challenges associated with leadership role.

“Life is a relay race. The athlete with the baton runs with all his strength on the track with his focus to handover to next athlete who is set on his marks to take over the baton and complete the race. The youths are ready on their marks to take over governance,” he said.

Ekpenyong said the  youth summit was a forum which gave opportunity to youths to rub minds and fashioned out a strategy to get themselves actively involved in governance and future of the nation. 

Speaking at the summit, APC State Party Chairman,  Alphonsus Eba, said the youths of the state had come out to thank the governor for his emancipation of the youths in the state by appointing thousands of them into at the state and local government levels.

“It takes someone with the heart of gold to get seven thousand youths actively engaged into the states payroll and thirty thousand others at the local government level. We cannot thank you enough our dear governor,” Eba said.

He said Governor Ayade would be remembered for being the only governor that has established over thirty industries which are employing and actively engaging.

Also speaking during the event, the Commissioner for Health Dr. Betta Edu admonished the Youths of Cross River State to continue to thank, support and rally round Prof Ben Ayade for giving them a platform. 

“We’re lucky and blessed to have a Governor who has empowered the youths and has given us political relevance and a voice. Today because of Governor Ben Ayade, I am the youngest serving Commissioner in Cross River State, the youngest to serve as Chairman Commissioners for Health Forum and also the youngest member of the APC reconciliation committee. What a show of love and trust for us the young people by him,” she said.

Earlier in his welcome address the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee Mr. Oden Ewa appreciated Governor Ayade for contributing to the empowerment of thousands of young people in the state, adding that a Youth successor to Governor Ayade would be the crowning glory of the efforts.