13 August 2017
This year's International youth day should be a sober reflection for the Cross River Youth. As the youth of Cross River State join the rest of the world in celebrating this year's International youth day which is celebrated 12th August of every year, we must rise up to the challenge of advancing as young people.
Luckily, we have many young people today in government, but that is not enough. How have they channelled their energy towards helping other young people? Are they just using them as errand boys and girls without adding value to their lives? Never again, should youth of Cross River State be seen as an agent of war and anarchy.
Good enough we have the "Not Too Young To Run Bill" but how ready are we to lead? Are we waiting for our elders and older politicians to finance us? Then we may be waiting till eternity. This is the time for like minds to work together and bring a good course in our villages and towns.
The youth of Cross River must not abuse, fight or vilify one another because of politics. Politics would certainly come and go but what is ahead of us is greater than our today.
We have a responsibility of redesigning our future. And that can not be achieved with negative energy geared towards destroying one another.
May we have a new mindset and think like brothers and sisters with a common goal.
Happy International Youth Day!
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Being an address on 12th August, 2017 themed: 'Youths Building Peace'.
