The initiator of the Think Cross River initiative, Mr. Edem Darlington, has attributed the improving security situation in Cross River State to Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s deliberate model of engaging young people in governance and community development.
Darlington said the governor took decisive steps to address insecurity upon assuming office, noting that crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery, which were prevalent in the state five to six years ago, have significantly declined in the last two years.
Speaking during a Security Dialogue organised by the Cross River State Community Leaders Forum, Darlington explained that Governor Otu’s approach places youths at the centre of peace-building and security efforts.
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The dialogue, themed “Securing Cross River State through Youth Volunteering Approach,” brought together community leaders, youths, and other stakeholders to deliberate on sustainable strategies for maintaining peace in the state.
Darlington, who also serves as the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said the Think Cross River initiative aligns with the objectives of the dialogue, stressing that no society can achieve meaningful growth without peace and security.
According to him, the Otu administration has changed the security narrative of the state by putting the right structures in place and creating platforms that productively engage young people.
“Five or six years ago, it was difficult not to hear about incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery almost daily. Such crimes had become common across the state,” he said.
“In the last two years, the situation has changed because the governor took the bull by the horn. Through his youth engagement model and other strategic interventions, Cross River State has remained one of the safest places in Nigeria, and even beyond,” Darlington added.
He noted that the security dialogue would further strengthen the state’s security architecture by encouraging youths who were previously disengaged to contribute practical solutions to emerging challenges.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Cross River State Community Leaders Forum, Mr. Zakari Abdullahi Ali, said it was time for young people to move from being spectators to becoming active stakeholders in securing the state.
Ali explained that the theme of the dialogue underscored the fact that security efforts cannot succeed without the involvement of the people, particularly youths who are often the first to notice early warning signs within their communities.
“Cross River State is known for peace, but that peace must be protected. Security challenges grow quietly in our streets, online spaces, campuses, and communities, and young people are usually the first to notice them,” he said.
He emphasized that youth volunteering does not replace the role of security agencies but supports them through awareness creation, early warning, responsible reporting, and community engagement.
“A youth who is engaged will not destroy his community. A youth who is trusted will protect his environment, and a youth who volunteers for peace becomes a defender of the future,” Ali stated.
He concluded by calling on youth leaders to embrace responsibility, unity, and purposeful engagement in order to sustain peace and development across Cross River State.
Culled from Vanguard
