Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has announced plans to empower 4,500 young people across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state through the Cross River State Youth Development Summit and Empowerment 2026, a comprehensive initiative aimed at equipping youths with skills, entrepreneurship opportunities and pathways to economic independence.
The programme, coordinated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Dr. Julius Kijuo, is designed to promote self-reliance, innovation and sustainable livelihoods among young people while positioning them to compete effectively in the global economy.
Speaking during a an engagement with development partners, Dr. Kijuo described the initiative as one of the most ambitious youth development programmes undertaken in the state, noting that it reflects Governor Otu’s commitment to investing in human capital development and creating opportunities for the younger generation.
He said the summit would provide participants with practical training, empowerment packages and access to opportunities across various sectors, adding that the initiative would extend beyond youths to include traders and market women as part of efforts to expand its economic impact across communities.
Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to prioritise youth development, stressing that young people remain critical to the future growth and prosperity of Cross River State. He pledged that his government would continue to support programmes focused on skills acquisition, employment creation and sustainable development.
The initiative has attracted the support of national and international partners, who commended the Governor’s vision and expressed readiness to collaborate towards the success of the empowerment programme.
The Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr. Edmund C. Onwuliri, praised Governor Otu’s youth-focused agenda and assured the participation of the agency in the training and empowerment components of the programme.
Representing MATTA Group of Lebanon, Mr. Bassem Fayad pledged international partnership and investment support, while the President of World Baseball5 Africa, Mr. Uche Otudor, announced that Cross River State would host the annual Baseball5 games, a development expected to promote sports growth and create additional opportunities for young people.
The Director-General of the National Social Investment Programme Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Hon. Hamza Ibrahim, described the initiative as an exceptional empowerment drive and assured the state government of full collaboration.
Also speaking, the Director of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board, Dr. Rita Akpan, said Governor Otu’s commitment to advancing education and youth development informed the organisation’s decision to partner with the programme.
Beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme are expected to receive training in digital marketing and content creation, welding and fabrication, tourism economy, green economy and renewable energy, programming, robotics and drone technology, modern digital agriculture, entrepreneurship for small and medium scale enterprises, as well as strategies for transforming indigenous talents into global opportunities.
The Cross River State Youth Development Summit and Empowerment 2026 is expected to strengthen youth capacity, stimulate innovation and contribute to the state government’s broader vision of building a productive, skilled and economically empowered population.
By Kingsley Agim
