Ayade Unveils Scholarship Scheme as Youths March in Solidarity
Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade has announced his administration’s intention to reactivate the scholarship programme for students of the state origin from March this year. The governor disclosed this while addressing about 10,000 youths of the state, who were in the Government House Calabar, on a solidarity march. Ayade who lauded the leadership of the youth group and the entire youths of Cross River State for the solidarity and for their resolve to stand by him said: “What you are I was. There was a time when I could not attend school because of transport and school fees. I feel the pain when I see young men go to bed on a hungry stomach, I feel the pain when I receive text messages from mothers seeking medical attention. But be patient and bear with me because I come from that history, I can only do that which is just.” The governor who said he inherited a government which had a clear agenda on the developmental programme of the state, further enjoined the youths to stand by him as he intends to lead with the fear of God.
Assuring them that as a man who emerged from a very humble background, he was fully aware of the challenges most of them were passing through, hence he was committed to creating a robust economy that will provide thousands of jobs for them.
Ayade further disclosed that data from the Federal Bureau of statistics indicated that since his coming into office as governor, Cross River has steadily grown to become the most sought-after in the country in terms of both local and international investors willing to invest and do business in the state.culled from senatorbenayade.org.
“I need you to recognize one thing that is very clear, I inherited a government that had a clear agenda on the development programme of Cross River. I inherited a state that is very rich in all aspects, but we will need to reconstruct it and focus on key elements that would really bring proper value. Unfortunately, as I came into office, the revenue of this state dropped by over 60 percent. Our take from the Federation Account is too small for us to sustain the energy, the verve, the vitality, the idea that we are bringing to bear,” Ayade maintained.
Acknowledging the youths’ appreciation for appointing young men and women, especially one of their own, Comrade Asu Okang, Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, into his cabinet, Ayade announced the appointment of 21 youth liaison officers into his government. “From this crowd, I will like to take one youth from each of the local government areas and bring them into government. The 18 local governments will produce one youth leader, and the person will be in government immediately and that youth must be under 30,” the governor said. Explaining further, Ayade disclosed that “the next step we are going to take is that we are going to have three youths between the ages of 30 to 35. They will manage the three senatorial districts.”
Addressing the rally, Commissioner for Youth and Sports development, Asu Okang said the youths of Cross River were happy with the developmental strides of Governor Ayade, stressing that his administration had a clear-cut programme for the state and particularly on how to empower about 10, 000 youth before the end of the year.
“The youths have made a clear statement and clearly so, that you are a man of integrity, a man who keep his words. You are the youths’ most friendly governor in Nigeria. They have resolved to come on a solidarity rally to express their support to your government,” Okang said.
Earlier, leader of the group, Comrade Coco Bassey as well as chairman, Cross River chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ben Okorie, in their various speeches, reaffirmed the resolve of the youths in the state to continue to support the policies and programmes of Ayade’s administration. According to Bassey, “We have never seen a governor like you. You know what it takes to bridge the divide between the young and the old. We have come to appreciate you because your destiny is in the right course.” Continuing, Bassey said: “As long as we live, we will take you beyond 2019, for we have nowhere to anchor but where we see respite. We shall hold on to it.”
For Okorie, “80% of the projects initiated by you are youth focused and we are appreciative of them,” adding that “if any one goes antithetical to the conscience of the youth we shall resist that.”
posted by: Arit Ofem
