The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem has made an earnest appeal to Cross River State youths to refrain from participating in the planned national protest, which is set to begin on August 1, 2024.
Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem made this known during the plenary session on Tuesday. While noting Governor Otu’s commitment to their needs, he encouraged the youth to support the administration of Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, whom he referred to as the “people’s first governor,” and emphasised the importance of dialogue and peaceful engagement.
Ayambem assured that the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly is dedicated to addressing all citizens’ concerns and enacting legislation that benefits everyone. He emphasised that “our state has tremendous potential, and it is up to us, the youth, to harness this potential and drive positive change,” he said. “By working together and fostering a spirit of unity, we can create an environment where opportunities abound and every citizen can thrive.”
“Protests that turn violent will not benefit us; they will only exacerbate our problems,” Ayambem stated. He emphasised the long-term negative consequences of previous protests and urged youths to engage in constructive dialogue with the government instead. “The effects of previous protests are still impacting us negatively today. It would be unwise to worsen the situation with further unrest when we are still recovering from past events”, Ayambem said.
The Speaker further reminded the youths that Cross River State’s strength lies in its unity and resilience and urged them to stand together, support the leadership, and work hard to overcome challenges peacefully.
By Mathew Okache
