A STICH IN TIME: WHY CROSS RIVER NEEDS A SPECIAL ASSISTANT ON JOB PLACEMENTS
By Anthony EKPO BASSEY
In the heart of Cross River State, where the greenery of our land mirrors the untapped potentials of our youths, one truth stands firm: government alone cannot carry the world on its shoulders. No matter how noble the intentions or how robust the machinery of governance, it is a tall order, indeed, an impossible task, for the government to be the sole employer of labour. As the saying goes, “Even the strongest tree cannot provide shade for the entire forest.”
It is high time we acknowledged a practical reality: to build a prosperous future, we must connect the dots between opportunity and capacity. It is for this reason that the office of the Governor would do well to create the position of a Special Assistant on Job Placements, a forward-thinking move that could open doors currently shut to many young people in the state.
This Special Assistant would not sit in the comfort of an air-conditioned office pushing papers but would be a bridge between government and industry, scouting for job openings in both established and emerging companies operating within the state. This role would involve proactive engagement by liaising with employers, attending industry meetings, identifying workforce gaps, and championing the placement of Cross River indigenes in viable positions.
When the hunter does not go into the forest, he cannot bring home meat. Likewise, if we do not go out to find opportunities for our people, we will only continue to complain about unemployment while vacancies lie unfilled in private organisations right under our noses. It is one thing to create jobs; it is another to connect people to them.
More than just placements, companies operating within Cross River should be encouraged and where necessary, incentivised to train our youths in relevant, modern skills. Industries evolve, and so must our workforce. Let companies invest in our people today, so they do not cry foul tomorrow about a lack of skilled labour. “Teach a man to fish,” the proverb says, “and you feed him for a lifetime.” If firms commit to capacity building, we will not only prepare our youths for existing jobs, but also equip them to anticipate and meet future demands in tech, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and other critical sectors.
Consider the multiplier effect: as youths get trained and employed, they gain purchasing power, reduce dependency, and contribute to the state’s economy. A single job can feed a family, uplift a community, and inspire a generation. An idle hand, after all, is the devil’s workshop, but a skilled hand builds not only a career but also a future.
The Special Assistant on Job Placements would also maintain a central database of job openings and skills, crJobe a streamlined platform for employment matching. In partnership with tertiary institutions, trade unions, and development agencies, the state can build a dynamic ecosystem where companies know where to find talents, and youths know where to find jobs.
Let us not wait until the pot boils over before we remove it from the fire. The time to act is now. By appointing a Special Assistant on Job Placements, the Governor will be sowing seeds in fertile ground. It is an investment in human capital, an affirmation that every Cross Riverian deserves not only to dream but to have a fair shot at achieving those dreams.
The road to economic empowerment is not paved by handouts or political appointments alone; it is built on intentional collaboration, strategic vision, and the courage to try new approaches. With the right person in this role, the state can turn the tide against unemployment and write a new story for its vibrant, ambitious youth.
After all, “a river does not run through the forest without bringing life to the trees.” Let Cross River be that river. Let our people flourish.
