CROSSRIVERWATCH NAILS IT AGAIN!

Young people have once again been challenged to brace up with a Cross River State without oil, identify its disadvantages and recognize its prospects. On its fourth anniversary on Thursday, the 27th of August 2015, the event, held at Transcorp Hotels, in the heart of Calalar, Cross River State and titled The Reality Of A Non-Oil Economy: Prospects & Challenges, draw a large crowd of eager youth audience.

Some of the state’s best youth mentors were at hand to inspire with their words of wisdom laced with experience in their various fields of endeavours.

Amongst the dignitries were Barr. Kanu Agabi, SAN and two-times Attorney General of Nigeria , His Excellency, the Former Governor Chief Clement Ebri, Prof Kevin Ettah, the radical and passionate former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, amongst others.

 Barr. Kanu Agabi, SAN did not fail to spur the young people as he reminded them that the Youths are the oil of the state. He further tasked them not to give up but keep trying until they have dominion in their quest.

He cautioned the current trend of political jobbing by youths who are used to manipulate the system just to get appointments that do not last or satisfy, and also urged them to stop criticizing leaders or government only in the negative way. He went on to fault the youths in their misconceptions of politics. “It is good to be in the senate but let your ways be right. Whatever you do be good at it. And be bold to tell anyone your profession”

He said that “Our search for oil should not stop us from skill development. It is good to dream BIG, but we have to start small. God cannot give us big things when we haven't started with smaller ones. Whatever you are doing, do your very best, God is merciful and created us with compassion, so He can't let us suffer”.

He went further said; “The future of our state is in the hands of the youths. This generation is the one with the last opportunity to save our heritage, so they shouldn't rest, they should sacrifice and work hard.  Where is our politics without talent?”

He prayed for the violent Youths to change and be useful, admonishing that “with or without oil we should be able to use our hands. Our Universities should be innovative”.

He concluded by dedicating his speech to the founders of the state, the youths and those who use their talents wisely.

Prof Kelvin Etah, who said he was working for 18 years in the system before becoming Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar tasked young people to be resilient and dogged in fighting for the good of the state. He said; “I tried to Cross Rivernise the Unical because then, the university was not indigenised. I ensured that 40 percent of admission quota was reserved for Cross Riverians under my tenure. I also ensured that with unskilled labour was reserved 60 percent in order to create opportunities for the indigenes. The idea of the CrossRiverWatch for its youth ideal is what I stand for. I contested four times and failed times three times before becoming VC. Like Pres. Buhari, we should never give up.”

Chief Clement Ebri, the Former Governor of Cross River State, said that it is the wise who see opportunity in opposition. He said that nothing has stopped us but ourselves. It is not about old men being in the government but how can you approve that a young man who can't express his or herself should replace him”. He advised that Curriculum of learning should be created that will enable the students to find their talents.

“We should not wait for appointments but let us sacrifice; the youths should be ready to work. The government must bring power back to the local governments.

Politics should not undo us. Youths should not be waiting for political appointments while wasting away”. He concluded.

Meanwhile, the CEO of CrossRiverWatch, a foremost online media in Cross River State news reportage, Agba Jalingo, used the opportunity to task youths to rise up to the challenge of recognizing their worth. He urged them to take a cue from him who has shunned political inducement, but prefers to tackle government outside its fold by way of informing the people despite challenges.

Various speakers asked young Cross Riverians to identify the agricultural endowment of the state and stop being docile in the midst of opportunities.