Governor Bassey Edet Otu has celebrated the enduring legacy of former Governor Liyel Imoke in youth development, describing the Bridge Leadership Foundation (BLF) as one of Cross River State’s most impactful investments in human capital development.
Otu gave the commendation on Saturday at the University of Calabar International Conference Centre, Calabar, during the Foundation’s 15th Anniversary celebration and 16th Career Day Conference, themed: “Power, Purpose, Persistence: Youth Leading Change for the Next 15 Years.”
The Governor said the Foundation had become a model for youth empowerment by consistently bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, transforming over 200,000 young people through leadership development, mentorship and employability programmes over the past 15 years.
He commended Senator Imoke for sustaining a vision that has continued to produce responsible, ethical and visionary young leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to development within Cross River State, Nigeria and beyond.
According to Otu, the success of the Foundation reflects the power of purposeful leadership and the importance of investing in people as the foundation for sustainable development.
He noted that true leadership must be built on vision, character, discipline, integrity, innovation and service, stressing that “leadership without character is like a car without brakes.”
The Governor urged young Nigerians to embrace resilience, financial discipline, digital literacy, patriotism and lifelong learning, noting that these values are essential for success in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
Highlighting his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, Otu said the establishment of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship was a strategic intervention aimed at equipping young people with practical skills, entrepreneurial capacity and the competencies required for the future economy.
In his remarks, Senator Imoke recalled that the Bridge Leadership Foundation was established in 2011 to bridge the gap between talented young people and opportunities for leadership, personal development and national service.
He said the Foundation’s greatest achievement over the years was not only the number of conferences and training programmes organised, but the thousands of lives transformed through initiatives such as the Graduate Employability Training Programme, leadership development projects, mentoring schemes and the Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship.
Imoke, who attended the anniversary event with his wife, Obioma, said societies are ultimately transformed by people of character and competence, stressing the need for continued investment in ethical, innovative and visionary young leaders.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Otu, development partners, donors, stakeholders and volunteers whose support has sustained the Foundation’s mission and expanded its impact over the years.
The anniversary celebration featured inspiring testimonies from alumni who credited the Foundation with changing the direction of their lives and careers through mentorship, leadership training and employability programmes.
Broadcast journalist and Governor’s Office Compere, Janice Cobham, said the Foundation helped her discover her purpose, develop leadership capacity and pursue a successful media career, while inspiring her commitment to mentoring younger professionals.
Estelle Bassey described the Graduate Employability Training Programme as a turning point in her life, saying it transformed her from a struggling young mother into a confident and highly employable professional.
Similarly, Kebe Ikpi said the Foundation prepared him for international volunteer opportunities, which eventually led to his emergence as a United Nations Volunteer and State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network in Cross River State.
Andrew Ebosele also narrated how structured mentorship, employability training and entrepreneurial guidance from the Foundation helped him rebuild his career after leaving the banking sector.
Delivering the keynote address, media entrepreneur and Executive Director of Joy, Inc., Chude Jideonwo, challenged participants to rethink conventional career pathways, arguing that digital transformation, artificial intelligence and the creative economy have created new opportunities for young people.
Drawing from his personal experience of beginning his career with the Nigerian Television Authority at the age of 15, Jideonwo said young people no longer need to wait for traditional gatekeepers before building successful careers, businesses and social movements.
“The jobs we were raised to chase are disappearing, but new limitless opportunities are emerging,” he said, urging participants to embrace innovation, creativity and technology while developing the confidence to compete globally.
In separate goodwill messages, the Minister of State for Industries, Senator John Owan Enoh; former Senator representing Cross River South, Senator Gershom Bassey; Chief Executive Officer of Levine Energy, Mr. Nzan Ogbe; and other dignitaries applauded the Foundation’s sustained contribution to youth empowerment and leadership development.
They described Senator Imoke’s commitment to mentoring young people as a lasting legacy whose impact continues to produce leaders making meaningful contributions across public service, business, civil society and the international community.
The conference attracted senior government officials, members of the State Executive Council, development partners, business leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders committed to advancing leadership, mentorship and human capital development in Nigeria.
Among those in attendance were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Emmanuel Ironbar; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani; commissioners, policymakers and other distinguished guests.
By Kingsley Agim
