The South South Development Commission (SSDC) has intensified its drive for youth-centered governance by hosting a strategic engagement with youth leaders and stakeholders across Cross River State in Calabar.
The engagement, which was held yesterday in Calabar, brought together youth leaders from the 18 Local Government Areas of the state to share experiences, identify key challenges and proffer practical solutions for youth development in the state.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner representing Cross River State on the Board of the SSDC, Rt. Hon. Larry Odey, said he was standing in for the Managing-Director of the Commission, Ms. Usoro O. Akpabio.
Odey noted that the session was aimed at ensuring that young people have a direct voice in policies and programmes that affect them.
According to him, “The purpose of this engagement is to listen, to understand your realities, and to ensure that the SSDC designs interventions that truly reflect the needs of our youths across Cross River State.”
The youth leaders used the opportunity to present concerns ranging from unemployment, skills gaps, access to funding, and participation in governance. They also made recommendations on entrepreneurship, education, and infrastructure.
Rt. Hon. Odey assured the stakeholders that their inputs would be documented and forwarded to the Commission’s management for consideration in upcoming programmes and projects.
The engagement shows the SSDC’s resolve to prioritize youth participation in development planning, with the belief that sustainable growth can only be achieved when young people are part of decision-making.
The South Development Commission was established to drive infrastructure, human capital development, and economic growth across the six states of the South geopolitical zone.
