Again APC Youth Shuts Down Calabar; Mobilizes More Than 20,000 Youth For Cross Rivers State youth summit

 

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- _Calls For A Better Deal For Young People In Nigeria_ 

As events leading to the National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to unfold, a Progressive Youth Summit organized by the Cross Rivers State Youth Lobby Committe held in Calabar over the weekend with the theme “Future Is Now” and reinforced the position of the Youth in negotiating a better deal for Nigerian youth starting with the convention and the general elections come 2023.

Speaking during the Summit, the Executive Governor of Cross River State His Excellency Senator Prof. Ben Ayade advocated for the Youths stating that the Future Is Now and that the Youths must take their place now and continue to organize and mobilize. In his remarks he noted that dedication, commitment, steadfast and determination remains key and will always be required to achieve the desired goal and that the Youths must learn to look beyond their background and the conditions of their birth if they must continue to take charge of our today's politics.

"The Future of the Youths starts now and if they must continue to get it right then they must remain dedicated, committed and determined as that's the key irrespective of your background. I will be establishing a Youth Social Welfare Program that will issue out a grant to every cross riverian as such all Youths should go and identify with their leaders starting from their Ward level. I could remember when I was young, I always stand amongst the crowd to watch leaders talk and I made myself a promise that one day I'll stand on the podium and speak for people to hear me and that I must become a Professor and a Governor, today my dreams have come to reality and you too can achieve that with hard work and determination. In my administration, i should be judged by the number of weddings, appointments, cars, houses, crimes put on control, lives saved, assistance given to my people, etc."

The Deputy Governor of the State Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu who was also in the Summit charged the Youths to remain focused and steadfast so they can continue to compliment the very numerous achievements of Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade who in all cases has proven that they remain an integral part of his administration evident by the number of Youths he has appointed amongst many other good things.

The National Youth Leader of the APC Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed in his address stated that this was a progression of the Lobby Committee’s agenda to mobilize the party’s Youth to occupy the leadership of the party and informed the youths that all NWC and NEC positions of the party were available for them to vie for in the coming APC convention. He commended the Cross River State Lobby Group for the brilliant effort in mobilizing over 25,000 Youths from the 196 Wards in the State to attend the Summit and pledged to continue working closely with the State Party apparatus.

This he said in furtherance of the efforts of the APC National Youth Lobby Committee that was set up by the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Committee ably led by the Governor of Yobe State His Excellency Mai Mala Buni which began in Abuja with the first ever progressives Youth Conference and thereafter the setting up of the Regional Lobby Committees and then the recent gathering of over 30,000 young people in Ibadan during the South West Progressives Youth Festival.

Also speaking during the event, the Honorable Commissioner for Health Dr. Betta Edu admonished the Youths of Cross River State to continue to thank, support and rally round Senator Professor Ben Ayade for giving them a platform and for playing an all inclusive governance. "We're lucky and blessed to have a Governor who has empowered the Youths and has given us political relevance and a voice. Today because of Governor Ben Ayade, I am the youngest serving Commissioner in CRS, the youngest to serve as Chairman Commissioners for Health Forum and also the youngest member of the APC reconciliation committee, what a show of love and trust for us the young people by him.

Dr. Edu commended the Governor for his huge industrialization of the State, as he remains the first and only Governor with the highest number of appointees, a passionate leader who has given everyone an equal opportunity and privileges. "I therefore call on the Youths of Cross River State to continue to key into the positive visions of His Excellency as he remains the best option for the Youths as you all can use me as a case study amongst other many good things he has done for us ranging from equal employments across the LGAs, appointments, industrialization spread, revamping of the health sector, saving the lives of many cross riverians, etc.

Earlier in his welcome address the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee Mr. Oden Ewa whilst appreciating Governor Ayade for his immense contributions towards the empowerment of thousands of young people in the State, noted that a Youth successor to the Governor would be the crowning glory of the efforts.

A member of the National Youth Lobby Committee who is also the Commissioner for Finance Honorable Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr speaking during the summit reiterated the position of the Youths in ensuring that they continue to have a better deal in the scheme of things within the party and in the government. He used the opportunity of the summit to appreciate the Governor for his commitment to Youth inclusion and empowerment. Stressing that the job going forward is the strengthening of the impact so made by deepening the commitment across Nigeria. 

The summit which  had more than 20,000 young people drawn from the 18 Local Government Area of the State also had performances from award winning artist like Kizz Daniel and Iyanya, speeches also came from other important dignitaries like Iyinoluwa Aboyade founder of Future Africa, Kunle Lawal of the Electoral College, Gambo Monzo SA Political to President Muhammadu Buhari,  Chairman APC Cross Rivers State Alphonsus Eba Esq, Kanu Agabi SAN, the Speaker of Cross River State Assembly Rt. Hon  Eteng Jonas-Williams, Senator Ita-Giwa and other members of the National Lobby Committee such as Baffa Saleh, Fatima Kakuri, Abubakar Fakai Sadiq, and many other Youth leaders across the APC in Cross Rivers State and National.