IYD: Cross River Unveils New Model for Youth-Led Development
By Missang AKPET
The Cross River State Government says it is determined to build sustainable systems that will position young people as active partners in governance and development.
The state Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr. Odum Ijom Ukam, stated this known on Monday during a press briefing to mark the 2026 International Youth Day in Calabar.
Speaking on the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations: Advancing the People-First Agenda through Sustainable Youth Development,” Ukam said the Otu led administration’s philosophy is rooted in skills, opportunity, experience, partnership, enterprise and participation.
The Commissioner noted that young people should no longer be regarded merely as beneficiaries of government programmes but as partners in development and governance.
He added that youth development must now focus on establishing systems through which young people can acquire skills, access opportunities, participate in governance and contribute to the state’s economic and social growth.
“Young people are partners in development. They are entrepreneurs, innovators, athletes, creatives, farmers, technology developers, community organizers, professionals, volunteers and future leaders” .
“Our administration's approach is founded on a transition from youth as beneficiaries to youth as development partners, from empowerment as a one-off intervention to empowerment as a sustainable pathway and from skills acquisition to skills utilization" Ukam stated.
He stressed that young people must be involved in the processes through which government programmes are conceived, designed, implemented and evaluated. This according to him is the people-first approach.
The Commissioner acknowledged that challenges such as youth unemployment, underemployment, limited access to capital, digital exclusion, skills mismatch and poor participation in decision-making still persist.
He called on the private sector, financial institutions, development partners, civil society, universities and professional bodies to deepen investment in Cross River youths.
“We need more businesses willing to provide internships, institutions willing to support apprenticeships, investors willing to finance youth-led enterprises, technology companies willing to provide digital opportunities. Investing in young people is not charity. It is economic and social investment" he said.
The Ministry, according to the Commissioner, remains committed to a youth development framework that is Inclusive, Skills-oriented, Employment-focused, Entrepreneurship-driven, Partnership-based, Innovation-led, Participatory, and Sustainable and however urged the youths to take responsibility, innovate, create. Volunteer and Participate in your communities. And most importantly in governance and development.
