By Kelvin Obambon
The Cross River State Government has announced a shift in its youth policy framework, moving away from temporary empowerment schemes to establishing long-term systems focused on employability, skills acquisition, and direct involvement in governance.
Speaking at a press conference in Calabar on Monday ahead of the International Youth Day 2026, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development and Skill Acquisition, Barr. Odum Ijom Ukam, outlined the state’s locally adapted theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations: Advancing the People-First Agenda through Sustainable Youth Development.”
Addressing journalists, the Commissioner harped on the launch of Skills in the Hands Programme, designed to align technical training with actual market demands. According to him, to tackle the hurdle fresh graduates face when entering the workforce, the Ministry is expanding its paid internship model.
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“Many young people are told that they need experience before they can secure employment, yet they cannot acquire that experience without being given an opportunity in the first place,” the Commissioner stated, noting that structured paid internships provide the necessary exposure to professional environments.
Highlighting ongoing collaborations, Ukam pointed to the state’s work with the United Nations Nigerian Jubilee Fellowship Programme as a key model for public-private partnerships. “The initiative connects local graduates with structured corporate internships across the country.”
He called on financial institutions, technology companies, and private enterprises to deepen their involvement by expanding apprenticeship slots, funding youth-led startups, and offering digital skill pathways. He said youths across the 18 Local Government Areas, from rural agricultural zones to urban hubs, share identical goals for economic stability, access to capital, and representation.
The Commissioner stated that rather than treating youth solely as beneficiaries of welfare, the government’s target is to integrate them as active stakeholders in policy design and civic leadership. He declared that the upcoming International Youth Day activities in Calabar will feature platforms for young entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives to showcase ongoing projects and pitch scalable ventures.
