Youths Development: C'River NYCN Celebrate Oben-Etchi, Confer "The Bridge" Award, Demand He Runs For Governor

The youths of Cross River State under the umbrella of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Cross River State Chapter, yesterday hosted Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi at the Cross River Youth House in Calabar, to celebrate his birthday.

State Chairman of the National Youth Council Of Nigeria, Comr. Dan Obo said the Council is proud to identify with Rt. Hon George Oben-Etchi and have deemed it fit to celebrate him as a man who has immensely contributed to the well being and development of youths across the state through supporting the projects and programmes of the Youth Council Of Nigeria, describing him as a bridge between the young people, government and his generation.

The Cross River State Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, Hon. (Signor) Omang Idiege who was Chairman of the occasion appreciated the youths for celebrating a man with supportive nature for progression in the person of Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi on his birthday while applauding them for supporting Comr. Dan Obo to be NYCN Chairman in Cross River State as his administration has engendered tremendous peace in the state as well as development of the youths, iterating that the administration of Comr. Dan Obo has been supporting the programmes of the youth-friendly Governor Ben Ayade and the Governor as a youth advocate have better plans for the youths of Cross River State.

The Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Hon Linus Bassey described Hon George as a gift to humanity. “I met him in Abuja during my NYSC days and till today he hasn’t changed from being a selfless and supportive personality. He thanked the youths for celebrating him on his birthday, He is a blessing to us all. 

In a recitation, leader of the Nigerian Youth Parliament in the State, Hon. Markpeace Osim, described Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi as a leadership development expert, a critical thinker and human development advocate who is people oriented with a visionary leadership style that has impacted greatly in the lives of young people, enumerating his numerous achievements that have earned him noble awards.

Speaking on behalf of the NYCN Executives, Vice Chairman South, Comr. Elvis Nyam said the emergence of Rt, Hon. Oben-Etchi in the politics of Akamkpa Local Government Area has expunged the era of thuggery and violence to the era of intelligence and meritocracy in the system.

Comr. Nyiam also gave the Commissioner an ultimatum to declare for governorship within two weeks or else the youths of Akamkpa will ban him from entering his LGA. This ultimatum was seconded by participants of all the youths leaders and delegates from the eighteen Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Speaking on behalf of the Cross River State Executive Council, Engr. Mike Eraye said Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi is an icon with propensity for solving problems and generating results in every institution he is tasked with, adding that as a man who demonstrates leadership in all capacities he deserves to be celebrated at all times.

Engr. Eraye wished the Rt. Hon George a happy birthday and applauded the NYCN leadership for packaging a delightful birthday party for their own Chairman of Commissioners Forum in Cross River State.

Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi in his words, expressed appreciation to Comr. Dan Obo and other Executives of the NYCN for honouring him with a birthday celebration and reaffirmed his commitment to all NYCN activities, as well as ensuring the bus which the Governor promised the NYCN is delivered to them soonest.

The birthday celebrant enumerated the projects of Governor Ben Ayade and their gains to Cross Riverians while applauding the Governor for his fantastic Ideas and efforts for setting a foundation of Prosperity for Cross River State with industrializing the state for the benefit of the entire citizenry. Oben-Etchi encouraged young people residing in the state to celebrate and support the Digital Governor, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade in his industrialisation programmes which are yielding great dazzling results for the development of the state.

Rt. Hon George Oben-Etchi applauded Comr. Dan Obo for the magnificent Youth House provided for the youths of Cross River State and donated the sum of One Million (1,000,000) Naira as his support for the roofing of the Cross River State Youth House hall.