Cross River State governor, Bassey Edet Otu has promised to prioritize youth employment by creating opportunities for young people in the state to gain employment and enable them generate sustainable wealth for the overall development of the state.
The governor made the remarks while addressing a socio-cultural youth organization, the Tinkoriko group during a cultural parade in Calabar. The cultural display, marked every 1st January of a new year and now in its 31st year, aims to promote the rich heritage of the Efik culture.
Led by a former deputy speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke and other prominent members of the society majorly from Calabar south and other local government areas within the southern part of the state.
According to the governor, “For you to sustain this beautiful cultural value for 31 years now is not a minor feat. Most of the calls I get regarding how to be a part of Tinkoriko is usually from those residing outside of this country. That goes to show that Tinkoriko has gone global. It also goes to show how much our people outside have become increasingly interested in the value you represent, which includes speaking out against all manners of social voices.
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“We are working hard to fix our infrastructure like roads and others. Importantly, we are trying our best to ensure that we create jobs for our teeming unemployed youths. I can assure you that in no distant time, we will have enough jobs for everyone, so that you can all be useful and productive.
“We are returning back to the good old days and by the time we will be meeting like this next year, I assure you that things would have changed greatly for the better,” he concluded.
Speaking earlier, leader of the group, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, expressed joy over the presence of the state governor at the event, emphasizing that the group’s core values include non-violent approach to issues as well as promoting peaceful co-existence amongst citizens.
“For the past 31 years, we have been doing this every 1st January of a new year. Our core values are majorly, to promote peaceful co-existence amongst citizens, preach against various social voices in the state as well as promote our beautiful cultural heritage.”
The procession which took off at Efut street in Calabar South, saw the group marched through major streets like Egerton, Nelson Mandela, Target, Mary Slessor, Barracks road, the Millennium Park where they were addressed by the governor and back to Efut street.
The annual cultural event was witnessed by other top government officials, including the chief of staff to the governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, Special Adviser governor’s office, Mr. Edem Bassey, the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Edem Darlington, Special Assistant, New Media, Mr. Andrea Ekeng, among others.