Youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lobby Group in Cross River is mobilizing 30,000 youths from the 196 wards in the state for a mega summit in Calabar.

The summit billed to hold at the UJ Esuene Stadium on Feb. 19, would serve the purpose of sensitizing the youths to get them involved in politics and governance.

Mr. Oden Ewa, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the summit, said this while speaking to newsmen at a news conference in Calabar on Wednesday.

He said their mandate is to see how they could get youths to run for all political positions in the state.

Ewa said he believes that the youths have the capacity to organize themselves, revealing that they would demonstrate that ability using the summit.

“The mandate is to, first of all, organize 30,000 youths from the 196 wards in the state for the summit, thereafter the lobby group will seek relevant stakeholders to see how we can get youths involved in politics.

“We will also use the opportunity to appreciate Gov. Ben Ayade for his support for youth development in the state while celebrating some of our youths that have represented well.

Similarly, a member of the LOC, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, said the summit would be an opportunity to spread the news that the governor has done well in supporting the youths and women.

Ekpenyong, who is also the Director-General, Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said although the government of Cross River has done well, more opportunities were needed for the youths.

She urged the youths from all parts of the state to come out in their numbers for the summit.

On his part, another member of the group, Mr. Effiom Watt, noted that the event is a bold effort to tell the world that the youths have come of age.

“We urge the youths to join us and make a bold statement that, come 2023, the voices of young people will be heard in the state.