The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has assured the youths of Cross River State of this administration’s commitment to support any engagement targeted at building the youths in the state.
Senator Otu, who was ably represented by his Deputy Rt. Hon Peter Odey made this known at the Hit FM Calabar Entertainment Conference held today at the cultural center complex, Calabar. He commended the CEO of Hit FM Calabar, Mr. Patrick Ugbe and Crew for putting and sustaining the event over the past seven years, noting that entertainment contributes to the socio-economic development of any state especially as it has to do with building the youths of Cross River State.
According to Rt. Hon Odey, “Anything to do with the people of Cross River State, count us first, because we want the vaccine people of Cross River State to be first”.
While acknowledging the entertainment stars of Cross River State origin present at the event, he started that he is very confident that this conference will birth more stars in the music and movies industry. Therefore the state government will partner with Hit FM for next year’s event because it is evident that Entertainment is an avenue to invest in young people and take them off the streets as well as off criminal activities and engaging them where they will be productive and contribute to the society.
Welcoming the guest, sponsors, panelists and artists to this year’s event, the Chief executive Officer of Hit FM Calabar, Mr Patrick Ugbe said this is the first time since the event started that there is a formal presence of government. He said it goes to show the commitment and love this administration has towards youth development and indeed, the season of sweetness is upon us.
The calabar entertainment conference (CEC) is an annual youth engagement event which was undertaken with the believe that the creative industry is the fastest way to get young people out of poverty and crime into gainful engagement. It also aims at growing and developing the entertainment sector in the south -south, thereby making it viable and sustainable for the practitioners.
Mr. Ugbe noted that the impact has been huge, with an upsurge of entertainment events in Calabar, Cross River State and neighbouring states. He thanked all the sponsors and partners such as the United States consulate General Office in Lagos, Multichoice, Leven Energy, Black house media and a host of others.