Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has challenged youth to take advantage of the economic opportunities available in the State to enable them contribute to its development.
Imoke said this while declaring open The Bridge Leadership Foundation (TBLF) 2013 Career/Founder's Day with the theme; "The Crisis of Leadership" at the State Cultural Complex, Calabar.
According to Imoke, there has been a tremendous entry of foreign investments into the state based on the conducive economic climate created by it, explaining that, "these investments will provide about 40,000 direct jobs and about 74,000 indirect jobs which means that youth need to equip themselves with the prerequisite practical skills which the proposed Polytechnic, Ugep will provide.
Imoke, who is the founder of the Foundation, disclosed that it is devoid of Government patronage, stressing that, "it is not an extension of Governor's Office, but a veritable platform to develop the innate talents in youth, so one does not need to see the governor to succeed in life".
He enjoined the participants, who were mainly youth, to take advantage of the numerous intervention agencies put in place by government to better their lots, adding that, "the unemployed graduates among you should take advantage of the Micro-finance Entrepreneurial Development Agency (MEDA) and grow their businesses".
The Governor disclosed that the multimedia presentation by the Economic Adviser, Prof. Ndem Ayara –Ndiyo, was intended to show the numerous economic opportunities available in the state which are being exploited by non-Cross Riverians, and noted that the intention of the foundation was to train youths to key into it for their benefits and that of the state.
He remarked that the Foundation was initiated two years ago when he celebrated his 50th birthday with a focus on the growth and development of young Nigerians through a series of training based on development and exposing their inert talents.
"The Foundation seeks to address gaps in the provision of practical leadership models of young people and thus provides the platform designed to improve, motivate, train, mentor and empower", he explained.
Imoke further stated that having come from a poor back ground was no longer an excuse for a youth to excel in life, saying that many possibilities abound in the state for them to key into to create wealth and job.
He said the Foundation would continue after his stewardship as the governor and hoped, for the economy to grow; participants were expected to get value from the respective speakers, who through their presentations, shared their experiences with them.
Acting Executive Director, The Bridge Leadership Foundation, Ini Onuk, in a welcome address, said the Foundation is committed to its vision of reaching more young people through a range of initiatives across the state and the south-south geo-political zone, stressing that it would actively work with interested organizations, individuals and development partners to double its current 5,000 youth through impactful projects and activities.
On the topic for this year's Career Day, she explained that TBLF has identified the expedient need to confront the leadership crisis by assisting young people through re-orientation and imbibing new values, ethics, morals as well as the different models of leadership with a view to building capacity for personal effectiveness.
Speakers at the event included, Mr. Olusegun Onigbinde/Founder DudIT, Dr. Ola Orekunrin/CEO Flying Doctors, Ms. Emilia Asim-Ita/Senior Consultant Strategy and External Relations Thistle Praxis Consulting Ltd and O'seun Odewale, Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor.
Highlights of the 2013 Career Day included Rewarding Punctuality as Leadership Quality which three out of the 10 early arrivals won in an Alligator Page reality based on, "Most Inspiring Examples of Leadership" and presentation of plagues to the quest speakers.