To commemorate the 2016 International Youth Day, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Etido Inyang, has said for the prevailing global challenges to be addressed, youth of the state must have and stir up their drives.
Engr. Inyang, who was a Special Guest of Honour at the event organized by the Office of the Supervisor for Youth and Sports, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council Transition Committee, said “this year’s theme, Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainability is not just strategically significant to today’s world but clearly addresses the very core of present day woes. This theme which resonates the vision of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration and his 5-Point Agenda, unequivocally defines the solutions to the global downturns, a situation that is in dire need of interventions.”
He maintained that Governor Udom Emmanuel has been undeterred and resolute in his quest towards eradicating poverty and achieving sustainability of his policy thrust.
The Commissioner for Special Duties stressed that “the best approach in steering this Road map to 2030 is not just industrialization, but aggressive industrialization and youth empowerment.”
“In taking advantage of this vast opportunities created for youth in the state by the Udom Emmanuel-led administration, it is therefore imperative that every youth should reorient his mindset, become focused, determined, optimistic, proactive and sober in their daily routine and approach to life. As youth, there is urgent need to eschew all forms of distractions and destructive ventures and channel our, resources and creativity toward self-development and actualization.”
While appealing to the youth to “rise up to the faith of their destiny and turn the prevailing challenges in the world to an opportunity for greatness and generational relevance,” Engr. Inyang stressed that the present world only beckons on youths who are solution providers, trailblazers and talents explorers.
In his remark, the Transition Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, Mr. David Umana, commended the effort of the Supervisor for Youth and Sports, Prince Samuel Ukut, in making the event, which he described as one with a humble beginning, a success.
Mr. Umana tasked the youth of Ikot Ekpene to be God fearing and law abiding in striving “to make it in life,” adding that in whatever they do, posterity will judge.
In his welcome address, the Supervisor for Youth and Sports, Prince Samuel Ukut, described youth as untapped reservoirs of talents that must be given the right tools to express their opinions and unlock their potentiality.
“When we give youth voice in politics and in public life, orient their school-to-work transition, strengthen their skills and facilitate their access to decent jobs… they can play their full part in building stronger and more inclusive communities. Simply put, empowering young people and ensuring their participation at all levels will help them shape a better and more equitable future for us all,” he emphasized.
He assured the youth of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s strong commitment to addressing the plethora of youth inadequacies, maintaining that “there were clear indications to this direction.”
Prince Ukut said “the process will take effort and time, patience and doggedness especially facing the monster of political landing, stronghold of negativity, from insecurity to cultism and sundry activities, but we believe that it is possible, and Yes we can.”
“The youth should just accept the laudable programmes of the Udom Emmanuel’s administration. They should be open and vulnerable to the positive impact of the information we are bringing to bare,” he stressed.
He further called on the youth to forge new partnerships with supportive senior citizens and join efforts in eliminating all barriers that impaired their progress as young people.
Speaking on what he tagged Stop Thinking of Landing, Think Empowerment, the resource person, a foremost Nollyhood actor and Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Agriculture, Mr. Moses Armstrong, tasked the youth on the need to imbibe the culture of togetherness.
In a goodwill message from the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Matters, Comrade Aniefiok Iwaudofia, said “Governor Udom Emmanuel deserves our continued supports and encouragements for the realization of all his 5-Point Agenda. His tireless and unrelenting efforts of making Akwa Ibom State an industrial hub should be applauded by all.”
Comrade Iwaudofia further pledged his commitment to the economic and social wellbeing of every Akwa Ibom youth.
The immediate past representative of Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara in the State House of Assembly, Atuekong Nsikak Ekong, in his goodwill message commended the Supervisor for Youth and Sports for keying into the Dakkada philosophy of the Udom Emmanuel-led administration.
He charged the youth to always dream big and, at all times, prepared themselves through education to making those dreams realities.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Ikot Ekpene Area Commander of Nigeria Police Force and the representative of State Security Service in Ikot Ekpene who took time out to give security tips, appealed to the youth to shun vices and inimical tendencies, adding that “dialogue is better than violence.”
Highpoint of the event included a charge on the youth by Architect Ezekiel Nya-Etok, interactive session with the resource person; unveiling of Road Map for youth of Ikot Ekpene by the Supervisor for Youth and Sports.
The event, which was planned by a Committee headed by Deacon Manasseh Umoette, was attended by Mr. Utibe Ibanga, Special Assistant to the Governor; Mr. Victor Nya, President of Ikot Ekpene Youth Coalition; representatives of Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, Ntufam Elijah Iyak and Rev. Otuekong Ukut; Heads of youth socio-political groups; students’ bodies and youth of Ikot Ekpene.