The Cross River State Government has unveiled plans to create sustainable employment, entrepreneurship and skills-development opportunities for young people across the state, urging the private sector and development partners to support the initiative.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Barrister Odum Ijom Ukam, disclosed this on Monday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Calabar while unveiling activities to mark the 2026 International Youth Day.
The event was attended by stakeholders in the Ministry of Youth Development and members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River State Council.
The 2026 International Youth Day is being celebrated with the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
Ukam said the theme reflected the common aspirations of young people, particularly their desire for decent employment, dignity, inclusion, relevant skills, innovation and meaningful participation in society.
He said the state government was aware of the challenges confronting young people, including unemployment, underemployment, limited access to finance, digital exclusion, skills mismatch and inadequate entrepreneurial opportunities.
The commissioner, however, said addressing the challenges required a coordinated effort involving government and stakeholders across the economic and social sectors.
“Government cannot and should not do it alone,” Ukam said, stressing that youth development required a collective response involving government, development partners, the private sector, civil society, academia, communities and the youths themselves.
He identified the Nigerian Jubilee Fellowship Programme as one of the initiatives capable of helping young Nigerians gain practical workplace experience through structured internships and exposure to modern working environments.
Ukam also called for greater involvement of young people in government programmes, insisting that youth participation should go beyond attending official functions and ceremonies.
“Government also wants young people to have a voice beyond attendance at official programmes,” he said, adding that youths should participate in the conception, design, implementation and assessment of programmes targeted at them.
The commissioner said activities lined up for the International Youth Day celebration would provide platforms for young people to showcase their businesses, creativity, technological innovations, talents, skills and contributions to their communities.
He appealed to private investors, financial institutions, technology companies and development organisations to collaborate with the state government in expanding opportunities for young people.
He explained that the ministry’s proposed framework would focus on skills utilisation, employment, entrepreneurship, innovation and participation, with interventions expected to cover all 18 local government areas of the state.
Ukam urged young people in the state to acquire relevant skills, build networks, embrace innovation, volunteer and take responsibility for the development of their communities.
He assured them that the government would continue to work with relevant partners to ensure that no young person was left behind.
