by crossriverwatch admin
Cross River State Youths have conferred an award of the “Pride of the Youths” on Governor Liyel Imoke for his deliberate policies and disposition to youth development.
Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River Chapter, Mr. Bernard Okori, presented the award to the governor on behalf of other youths during an event to mark the 2014 International Youth Day Celebration in Calabar.
Okori said the resolved to honor the governor was in recognition of the policies of government towards re-engineering the youths to rediscover themselves and be useful to the society.
Okori listed some of the measures to include, the creation of Microfinance and Entrepreneurial Development Agency, (MEDA), offices in charge of youth matters and student matters, the Institute of Technology and Management(ITM) Ugep, the Bridge Foundation as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Entrepreneurial Development Centre.
In his remark, the Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke encouraged youths to take advantage of the opportunities in the state designed to empower them.
He counseled youths to make a difference through positive thinking within the context of the reality on ground, adding that it takes action and clear vision by a people of similar views to truly transform their society.
On role modeling and career choices, the governor charged them to get professional education and experience as a guarantee for sustainable economic livelihood before diversifying to other fields such as politics and business.
Senator Imoke decried the absence of the middle class and the entrenchment of corruptive influences in the body polity with attendant effects in the loss of core values.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Mr. Patrick Ugbe, underscored the role of the youth as the hope of the future for a better tomorrow, stating that the state is a safe haven not only in the Niger- Delta but the country through the peaceful disposition of its youth.
In a lecture on the theme, Youth and Mental Health, youth as indispensable agent of change and national transformation, a University Don, Bishop Mike Okom, described the young as indispensable to global transformation and a resource that will waste if not effectively harnessed.
He challenged youths to acquire knowledge and shun paths of least resistance, but should redefine their path in attitude, purpose and sacrifice while placing them on the proper trajectory.
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