By Kelvin Ololo
The leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Cross River State Chapter, has unveiled plans to host statewide youth forum aimed at deepening conversations around youth productivity, inclusiveness and strategic partnership in the State.
The action plan was announced during an interactive session with journalists at the Prince Bassey Otu Youth House in Calabar, where the State Chairman Comr. Emmanuel Olayi and his executives affirmed that voices of Cross River youths will continue to be heard through effective representation, youth development and advocacy.
Comr. Emmanuel Olayi, explained that the upcoming Cross River youth convergence which will be held on Wednesday 17, September 2025 in Calabar, with the theme; “Driving Productivity and Youth Inclusion through Strategic Partnerships in Cross River State” will be geared towards uniting youth voices across the 18 LGAs, identifying opportunities in every sector including agriculture, health, governance; charting a clear future for the younger generation and partnering with sectors that will drive productivity and youth inclusion.
Olayi stated that “the program which is going to run in series will engaged ministries, agencies, practitioners, key actors, critical stakeholders and intellectuals to discuss practical ways and as well mentor young Cross Riverians on ways they can explore opportunities and drive productivity in their various localities in the state.”
He however used the opportunity to call on Cross River youth and young none- indigene residing in the state to take turn and embrace the opportunity offer by NYCN as there are templates design by the council for effective, realistic and visible youth engagement.
Clearing the air on the recent attack on him and some members of his council in Bendi ward in Obanliku Local Government Area, by some alleged members of Joint Taskforce in the community during a tour with the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, a narrative which he said had generated a lot of questions and insinuations on public space that needs clarification.
Comr. Olayi said: “the presence of NYCN during the tour has nothing to do with political inclination or individual motive, but rather, was an avenue geared toward ensuring that the voices of young people in the northern senatorial district were also given a chance to participate and represented in the engagement with the government directly.”
He revealed that the leading culprit one Uma Akpanke, who allegedly carried out the physical attack with his team of JTF on NYCN Executive was arrested by the police and has regretted his actions and pleaded not to get involved in such act – signing an undertaking in the process. He disclosed that the council had pardoned him and offer him a second chance to amend.
“We (NYCN) felt that we should tamper justice with mercy to see how the gentle man can sign a path of going forward to be of good conduct, we did that because the youth house is for everybody, it’s both for the good, the bad and the ugly. He acknowledged that he will not do that again.”
He assured that the Council will continue to engage young people in skills, developmental and advocacy programs to combat youth restlessness, drugs abuse, violence and all forms of vices in the state.