Cross River youths have again been charged to embrace entrepreneurships through strategic partnerships, building bridges that work. This was the resolution, as youth stakeholders gathered for the 2025 maiden Youth Convergence.
In his welcome address, the state chairman of NYSC, H.Y Cmr. Emmanuel Olayi, underscored the importance of the Youth Convergence, saying that the event will henceforth become an annual event where youths and stakeholders meet to proffer ways to explore partnerships for sustainable empowerment.
“Welcome to Cross River State Youth Convergence 2025. Our theme “Driving Productivity and youth inclusion through strategic partnership in Cross River State”, is not just having them on fliers. It’s a view held on to our reality, a trumpet blast for a new day.
READ ALSO: NUJ, NAWOJ Presidents to Attend Beatrice Ita Journalism Award in Calabar
For too long the ideas of our youths have been like a mighty river, rushing restlessly yet left untapped. Today, we have to say NO MORE idleness. No wasted potential. Cross River state upward.”
The youth Chairman further noted that Cross River youths are not lacking in ideas but in disparities and urged that youths must rather build bridges.
Leading the charge, Pastor Akomaye Ugar, the Lead pastor of Honey Streams Church, a celebrated public Speaker and coach, beckoned on youths to maximize opportunities and to envisage bigger levels of responsibility. He further called on youths to get involved in leadership and to be resourceful.
“You can not make impact if you’re not resourceful, you have to be resourceful enough to make impact. When you make impact, you can influence. When influence is sustained for some time that is when you build a niche for yourself”, he added.
Another guest speaker, Dr. Bong Duke who is the Vice Chairman and CEO of State Planning Commission, challenged the youths to build networks and concrete database for information sharing. He emphasized the need for a portal to enable the youths gain access to government programs including opportunity to bid for contracts.
The Honorable Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Barr. Ijom Ukam, who also represented Governor Bassey Edet Otu, conveyed government’s efforts in youths development, describing the convergence initiative as timely.
“The Theme for this program, “Driving productivity and Youth inclusion through strategic partnership in Cross River state”, is not only timely but deeply relevant in our today’s world. In a world where the strength to the society is measured by the opportunities it creates for young people. This convergence stands as a rallying point for innovation, collaboration, empowerment and shared progress.”
He further commended the state youth leadership for creating a platform for youths to interact and form collective progress.
The event, which witnessed largest youth turnout, also featured interactive and a panel session, where business experts, youth stakeholders and industry giants through dialectical discourse, addressed the various challenges of youth development and proposed ways of building youths into entrepreneurs.
The Director General of MEDA, Mr. Great Ogban, announced the registration of 50 youths for CAC and business empowerment pact, launched by a US based youth advocate.
Highpoint was the official lunch of the Youth transport scheme by the APC National Youth Leader and the commencement of voters registration advocacy campaign across the state.
