By Manuel Ukpong
The President of Akwa Ibom State Community (AKISCOM) Youth Wing, Hon. Ime Usoroh has called on all tiers of government in the country to do all they could to ensure that the inherent talents of youth in nigeria are maximally tapped and exploited for the good of the society and enduring national development.
He made the call in Lagos while giving his address of welcome to guests during their maiden edition of Youth Summit, which took place on 9th September,2023 and was held in AKISCOM Plaza in Surulere, Lagos penultimate week.
With the theme, ” HARNESSING YOUTH HUGE POTENTIALS FOR ENDURING NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT’ he described the future of youth in the country as appalling and charged government to ensure that every aspect of their policy framework is tailored towards harnessing the untapped huge potentials of the youth.
He stated that if this is done, as well as bring them on board into policy formulation on issues that concern them, the country will witness technological innovations, economic development & empowerment, Agricultural self-reliance and socio- political advancement as he explained that the present youth hold the key to the above and lots more.
The chief host and the President of AKISCOM, Prince Felix Udoh assured the youth that his leadership will continue to do what he could to ensure that they are groomed to take up their rightful place in the society and commended them for their continuous synergy with his government to reposition the youth better.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Mr Samuel Asuquo, Akwa Ibom State Liaison officer, Lagos but who was represented by Mr Samuel Inyang assured the youth that the Pastor Umo Eno’s administration in the state has a place for youth as encapsulated in his A.R.I.S.E Agenda and that soon, the impacts of his administration will be felt positively by the Diaspora youth.
He charged them to support the current administration to deliver on its mandate as he claimed that the governor is youth friendly in his policies and disposition.
The keynote Speaker, Mr Otu Solomon Udom, (CSHP), Africa Vice President, Ati Annang Foundation dwelt on the need for the youth to rise above pettiness and occupy their proper positions so that our country can advance.
He said that though, this will only be made possible when there is a concerted and collaborative effort by the government, spirited individuals and the civil society.
He saluted the ingenuity of some of our youth, which he described as amazing as he assured them of planned collaborative effort by Ati Annang Foundation with government and other Development Partners to improve on their fortunes.
He called on government to ensure strict adherence and compliance in working towards achieving some of the United Nations ( UN) Sustainable Development Goals,(SDGs) 2030 Seventeen (17)Points Agenda which he claimed that some of the Articles are youth friendly, and that if it is holistically implemented, will greatly improve on their fortunes.
He promised continued collaboration with other Foundations and NGOs to see how they can empower the youth of Akwa Ibom in Diaspora.
In a chat with newsmen which included The Cheer News, Winz TV. Gbedu plus on AIT, The Gladiators Magazine and Akiscom TV, the Mother of the day’s occasion Obonganwan Idongesit E. Ifot, a former Women leader of Akiscom expressed her appreciation to the present youth leadership under Hon. Ime Usoroh for carrying out innovative projects which she claimed are geared towards youth upliftment.
She stated that as a mother, she will be happy to see them being transformed greatly beyond their present level in a way that will add value and self esteem to them and in terms of being productive and self reliance.
She noted that when our youth are properly built and developed, the nation will advance and criminality will drastically reduce.
She promised to do her best to ensure that they are able to develop themselves and stand out successfully in all aspects of human endeavors.
Also speaking,the Father of the day, HRH Edidem Atakpa 1 said he is delighted to see how our youth are very creative which he stated need encouragement and require the society’s support.
Speaking in the same vein, Obong Ikpa Isong Godwin Henry assured of his plan to work in concert with other Traditional Rulers to empower the youth.
Chief Elijah Ifot, IFUKEYO IKOT EKPENE and the President Emeritus of Akiscom expressed happiness over the youth gradual advancement and promised to encourage them more throgh financial assistance so that they can attain their desired goals in life while Amb. Marshal Udoh advised the youth to always strive to be resourceful as he promised to join hands with other stakeholders to uplift them.
Commenting further on how he was able to mobilise a lot of youths including his CMC gladiators members to the venue, Ambassador Cornell thanked God for honouring the Youth program with a good weather and commended Hon. Ime Usoro, the youth President for making them proud with his Excos on the theme of the summit which he described as apt and pledged to support the wing more than ever before being the former Image Maker of the Youth wing whose performances, he disclosed, was seen to be superlative.
He complimented the event as the Assistant Anchor of the program who used his experience as a tried, tested and trusted Event coordinator to energize the auditorium and bring excitement to the program and guests
A fast rising star in hip hop and reggae music, Prince Samuel from the state was unveiled as he performed and thrilled the audience with his latest hit track which centred on Unity, Love and progress whose lyrics kept the house bubbling with joy, dancing and happiness.
The inaugural summit of Akiscom youth is seen by many of the guests and some youth as a wake up call for them to position themselves in this technological age and be relevant in the scheme of things through discovering and tapping their inherent talents and utilize same for national development.
Since assuming Office last year as the AKISCOM Youth Leader, Hon. Ime Usoroh (DOLLAR) has consistently been advocating for the need for government at all levels and the society to equip and fully prepare our youth so that their huge innate potentials could be tapped for national growth and sustainable development.
The summit, he further disclosed is in line with this and is intended to rally them together on the way forward through experts advice and counsels, which he stated that he is satisfied with personalities that have attended whose words of advice, he described as encouraging and motivational.
He appealed to the guests to do something urgently to assist the youth in that direction.
A former Youth Leader from INI LGA, Mr Otu Brazil who has recently empowered some of our youths with POS MACHINES and starter Packs to engage in businesses appealed to individuals and corporate Organizations to come to the aid of our youth as he disclosed that now is the time for youth inclusive in politics, entrepreneurship, Agriculture and Blue economy, the trending economy now in vogue. He promised to do more in future so as to further uplift them and make them successful in life and become employers of labour.
The high point of the summit was the unveiling of One hundred (100) capacity Plastic Chairs donated by Akiscom Youth to the main body which guests supported the initiative in various ways.
Some dignitaries that attended the event included Akparawa Otuekong Ubong Jackson, MPM Coordinator, Lagos State branch, Mr Samuel Inyang, a representative of the Akwa Ibom Liaison officer, Akparawa Uwem Idaha, President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Deacon Promise Udofia Akiscom Auditor and Ajah unit Chairman.
Apostle Raphael Elijah President, Oruk Anam Development Association, Lagos, Chief Edet Ambang President Oron Union Lagos, Akparawa (Prince) Ubong Etuk, an Akiscom Presidency top contender, AkparawaAwan Abigail Asuquo, former Treasurer Akiscom youth , Mr Samuel Asuquo, Engr.. Ekanem, Bar. Silas Udoh, Comrade Esin Anderson, Amb. Marshal Udoh, Evang. Pat Ukwoh amongst others.
Some of the youth exhibited their musical talents as they performed their hit reggae and hip hop songs.
The event media coverage was carried out by various Media organisations which was coordinated by the UN Peace Amb. Cornel Udofia which largely accounted for the success of the summit.
