…Flags Off YEIDEP Registration Drive, Commissions CRS-YEEP Hub
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, economic inclusion, and sustainable development across the state.
Governor Otu, who was represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, gave the assurance on Wednesday at the awareness and advocacy campaign for the registration drive of the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme (YEIDEP) in Calabar, held at the Metropolitan Hotel.
Dr. Odey described the initiative as a timely intervention designed to expand economic opportunities for young people and strengthen their participation in nation-building. He commended the leadership of YEIDEP for introducing a programme that directly addresses youth needs through empowerment, economic inclusion, and sustainable engagement.
Odey noted that the Cross River State Government has continued to invest strategically in youth development across key sectors, including skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, agriculture, digital innovation, and capacity building. He emphasized that these efforts align with the vision of Governor Bassey Otu, whose administration prioritizes preparing young people for future opportunities and ensuring they remain central to the state’s development agenda.
According to him, the flag-off of the YEIDEP registration drive and the official commissioning of the Cross River State Youth Entrepreneurship, Employability and Productivity (CRS-YEEP) Hub mark a significant step toward expanding access to empowerment programmes and connecting more youths to productive ventures that can enhance their livelihoods, in line with the “People First” mantra of the present administration.
He urged young peoplex across the state to take full advantage of the initiative by actively registering and participating, stressing that the programme offers a pathway to personal growth, economic stability, and meaningful contribution to society. He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his youth-focused initiatives and programmes aimed atc expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.
Dr. Odey further stressed that his administration will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including development partners and the private sector, to expand opportunities for young people and promote inclusive growth across all communities in Cross River State.
Representing the Honourable Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, Abdullahi Mohammed said YEIDEP is aimed at restoring the confidence of young Nigerians and creating pathways for economic advancement through structured support and opportunities. He commended Cross River State for establishing the CRS-YEEP Hub, describing it as a strategic platform for skills development, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Youth Development remains committed to delivering impactful programmes that bridge the gap between education and the labour market, while strengthening partnerships to ensure opportunities reach youths across communities, fostering a productive and globally competitive generation.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition in Cross River State, Barr. Odum-Ijom Ukam, described the event as a landmark convergence of policy, purpose, and opportunity, marking a significant step in the state’s commitment to youth empowerment. He noted that the awareness and advocacy campaign for YEIDEP, alongside the commissioning of the CRS-YEEP Youth Hub, reflects government’s resolve to reposition young people as active drivers of economic growth and social transformation.
Ukam further emphasized that the YEIDEP initiative, championed at the federal level, aligns with the state’s localized CRS-YEEP framework designed to deliver practical outcomes in entrepreneurship, employability, and productivity. He added that the newly commissioned Youth Hub will serve as a functional ecosystem for innovation, skills development, and enterprise incubation, creating opportunities for a new generation of job creators and positioning Cross River as a hub of opportunity and sustainable development.
In his briefing, the Coordinator-General of YEIDEP, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, said the programme is a federal government-backed initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment, promoting economic inclusion, and reducing social vulnerability through targeted interventions and empowerment schemes.
Highlights of the ceremony included goodwill messages from the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Hon. Patrick Egbede, participating banks and partners, the official declaration of the YEIDEP registration drive open, and the symbolic ribbon-cutting at the Ministry of Youth Development and Skills Acquisition to formally commission the CRS-YEEP Hub.
