Commissioner for Youth Development Odum Okam, addresses the press in commemoration of the 2026 International Youth Day
The Cross River Government has disclosed plans to implement a youth empowerment programme christened, ‘Skills in the Hand Initiative’
Mr Odum Ukam, the Commissioner for Youth Development, made the disclosure at a press conference to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day (IYD) in Calabar.
Ukam said that the initiative which replaced the Food on the Table policy of former Gov. Ben Ayade, would promote skills acquisition for the youths.
Ukam said that the Skillsm in the Hand Initiative was designed to equip youths with practical skills, apprenticeship opportunities, employment pathways and wealth-creation opportunities.
He said that no fewer than 2,500 youths had so far benefited from various skills-acquisition programmes under the initiative.
“Another 4,500 youths are currently being empowered through programmes under the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor,” he said.
The commissioner said that the government had approved about N1 billion for a youth empowerment scheme to further support young people.
He stated that the Ministry of Youth Development was implementing the programmes through Public-Private Partnerships that allowed youths to receive training from relevant companies.
Ukam also noted that the state government was implementing the Women on Wheels programme through which 30 young women had been trained to operate heavy duty equipment.
“The government also has the Back to Land initiative, an agribusiness training initiative that has benefited no fewer than 400 youths.
“Each participant received a N2 million start-up grant, while more than 5,000 young entrepreneurs got registered to access to grants and funding,” he said.
He also said that the ministry was partnering the Bank of Industry and other development stakeholders to train and support young business owners.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2026 IYD is: “Different Contexts Common Aspirations: Advancing The People’s First Agenda Through Sustainable Youth Development”
IYD is celebrated annually on August 12 to highlight the contributions of young people in the society; draw attention to their challenges and encourage them participation in decision making.