The Cross River State Government has hosted leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Cross River State Council, and other youth stakeholders, urging youths across the state to celebrate the Christmas and festive season in peace, unity, and love.
The youth delegation, led by the State Chairman of the NYCN, His Youthfulness, Comrade Emmanuel Olayi, paid a Christmas courtesy visit to Government House, Calabar, where they were received by Hon. Dr Emmanuel Ironbar, Chief of Staff to the Governor, on behalf of Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
The delegation comprised executive members o the NYCN, members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Student Union Presidents, representatives of student governments, local government coordinators and state officers of the NYCN, as well as leaders of voluntary youth organisations.
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Addressing the youths, the Chief of Staff commended their commitment to responsible leadership and constructive engagement, describing Christmas as a season of “sweetness” that should be marked by peace, tolerance, and shared responsibility.
Ironbar charged the youths to remain focused, law-abiding, and mindful of their actions, noting that every positive conduct by young people contributes to projecting the good image of the state government. He further stressed the importance of partnership between government and youth organisations in sustaining peace and development, especially during the festive period.
The Chief of Staff also used the occasion to commend the leadership of the NYCN for its mature and effective coordination of youth activities across the state, noting that the Olayi-led administration has brought stability, structure, and increased visibility to youth engagements, while strengthening the Council’s role as the central coordinating body for youth activities in Cross River State.
As part of the engagement, a Christmas package from the state government was presented to the State Chairman of the NYCN for distribution in celebration of Nigerian youths and students across Cross River State.
Speaking on behalf of the youth delegation, the NYCN Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Olayi, expressed appreciation to Governor Otu for his continuous investment in youth development, particularly through capacity-building trainings and infrastructural development across the state.
He reaffirmed the position of the NYCN as the coordinating body of youth activities in Cross River State and pledged the commitment of youths and students to peace, unity, and inclusive engagement. He also assured the government that youths would celebrate the season responsibly and share with the less privileged.
The youth leader further called on young people to protect the state’s cultural heritage, particularly the Carnival Calabar, and ensure that festivities are celebrated peacefully without actions capable of disrupting public order.
The visit ended with a vote of thanks and renewed assurances of youth support for the policies and programmes of the Cross River State Government.
In attendance was the Deputy Chief of staff to the governor, Hon. Chief Boniface Okache and other government appointees.
