By Benson Ezugwu
Calabar – Cross River Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, has urged youths in the state to shun cultism, kidnapping and other forms of vice and contribute to the peaceful development of the area.
Esu stated this on Saturday in Calabar at a rally organised by the Cross River State Political Network (CRISPON) to mark this year’s World Science Day for Peace and Development.
He said that without peace it would be impossible for the state to develop, just as it would be almost impossible for the youth to realise their goals of becoming future leaders.
“I can say that because our youths have chosen this way to celebrate this year’s event, it means that we have youths who can think rightly.
“My advice to them is to stay away from cultism, kidnapping, robbery and other social vices and to remain committed to peace and development of our dear state and Nigeria at large,” he said.
He promised that the present administration would continue to make the youth an integral part of governance as long as they remained supportive of the government’s developmental strides and remained law abiding.
“The government appreciates your contributions and I can assure you that come 2019, we will have more youths and women in government in Cross River State,” he said.
Mr Michael Abuo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Student Affairs and Youth Mobilisation, said CRISPON decided to celebrate the day with a solidarity rally in support of Gov. Ben Ayade because of his love for the youth.
“In Cross River, we have a model of government that is unique and peculiar.
“We have two science professors as governor and deputy governor. You cannot find such in any state in Nigeria, and they are role models for youths of the state.
“The solidarity rally is meant to give them hope and to re-assure the governor of our total support for his administration.
“The young people are solidly behind him and we will continue to support the government for peace and good governance in our state,” he said.
Abuo, who is also the initiator of CRISPON, said that the network would persuade the governor to seek a second term in office in view of his achievements in his first term.
He urged the youth in the state to be creative and in order to achieve their dreams in life. (NAN)