Thomas Abi Jr|12 October 2015|6:19am
According to the United Nations (UN) definition of youth, youth are those between 15 -24 years of age. Looking at the National youth Policy document, it defines a youth as those ranging from the ages of 18 -35. One question that has continued to bother me is who is truly a youth in Cross River State?
Any nation that denies its youth the needed environment to participate towards nation building does so at its risk. The youth are energetic, vibrant, articulate, idealistic, pragmatic, dogged and savvy in technology. The youth of Cross River in this era, if given the opportunity can change the fortunes of the State through creativity and commitment towards improving the economy of Cross River State. The youth of Cross River State should be encouraged to handle leadership positions(18-35), they should be given the chance to actualize their dreams and aspiration as young people.
From statistic and from the analysis of the last elections, the youth of CRS played significant role during the elections. Many youths in the State held meeting on the way forward towards building a greater Cross River State. Meetings were held in Abuja, Calabar, Ogoja and many other parts of Nigeria and across the globe. The young people from Cross River didn't sleep, our youths are now more informed than in the last decade.
Our People must begin to look towards the direction of young people (18-35). This class of persons should be considered for appointment in the State as Commissioners, etc. It may please us to know that the Swedish Minister of Health is 29 years of age. Can that happen in Cross River State in this present era? I believe it can with Governor Ayade. In 1983, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba was 27 and he was the Commissioner of Works, in 1992, Senator Liyel Imoke was 30, he was elected a Senator. Former Governor Donald Duke was Commissioner of Finance at the age of 30, Amb. M. T. Mbu was Nigeria's High Commissioner to the UK at the age of 19, Barr. Venatius Ikem was a Council Chairman at the age of 26 . All these happened two decades ago. Can it happen again? I am optimistic it happen again because youth are already carried along in the government but more still needs to be done.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of blessed memory once said, “If you want to know the future of any nation, take a look at what the youths are presently doing”. If our elites and political class do not offer the youths the enabling environment to contribute their (our) quarter, they may become nuisance and turn into rebellious elements in the society.
In order to further promote the Cross River youth, a lot needs to be done by the administration Prof. Ben Ayade. A lot needs to be done towards reduction in unemployment. We need to formulate and execute policies that will put our youths on top. Both the State and Local governments in Cross River State need to establish youth vocational empowerment programmes to develop the youths of the State in skills-based jobs.
The present administration has done well for the youth of the State by appointing youth as Personal Assistants and Special Assistants and Special Adviser but more youth need to be appointed in the government, youth should be appointed as Commissioners and heads and members of other parastatals in the State.
Our institutions need to be upgraded to meet international standards. From the primary school to the tertiary level, our children need to be taught on vocational education, information technology, craft etc.
Martin Luther King Jr., said “No work is insignificant. If a man is called a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets well so that all the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”
In order for the youths of Cross River State to be carried along, they must shun greed, desperation, poverty of the mind, and stand as a catalyst for change towards building Cross River State. It is unfortunate that our youths do not take initiatives, they do not take steps that will enhance their livelihood. For the youths to be considered in government, they must take responsibility at all times and constantly prove to the establishment that they are capable and willing to contribute towards the growth of Cross River State.
The youth of Cross River State must shun violence and stay focus.
Martin Luther King Jr., said ” There is something within human nature that can be changed, and this stands at the top of… the philosophy of nonviolence”.
Let's promote peace and stand as one big family in Cross River, for it is our responsibility to position our young men and women in key positions in the State for the greatest sustainability of wealth is the empowerment of the younger generation.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst/Social Commentator