February 09, (THEWILL) – About 30,000 youths drawn from the 196 wards of Cross River State, are expected to grace the inaugural Cross River State Youths Summit.
The summit is organised by the State Youth Lobby Group of the All Progressives Congress.
Oden Ewa, the Chairman of the local organising committee for the event disclosed this in Calabar.
According to him, “About 20-30 thousand youths are expected to gather at the UJ Esuene Stadium for this summit.
“The summit is being organised for the youths also by the youths and we intend to make a strong statement ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“We will come together and show the world that we are leaders in our own right, a formidable force and are ready to put our best forward”, he said.
He said the youths are ready to knock on doors, mobilise, win elections and also administer the state.
He added that the youths also want to use the summit to express appreciation to the state governor, for appointing youths into political offices and also giving them the opportunity to manage the state.
Also speaking, Francis Ekpo, the Special Adviser to the governor on Ranch, said it’s “youth o’clock in the state.”
On his part, Effiom Effiwatt, Director General of the Cross River State Signage and Advertising Agency, said it’s a bold attempt by the youths to showcase themselves.
On her part, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, DG Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said youths are very grateful to the governor and his wife.
She said the youths will use the rally to show they are ready to rule the state and take it to greater heights.
The Youth lobby group was last year set up by the national leadership of the party and was recently domesticated in the state.
The group is aimed at improving youths’ involvement in government at all levels.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
