OBUDU — The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Cross River State chapter, has launched a statewide campaign tagged “Future First” aimed at promoting peaceful political participation, youth unity, and responsible civic engagement ahead of the 2027 elections NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The initiative was unveiled during a stakeholder engagement held in Obudu, where youth leaders met with community stakeholders and traditional authorities as part of a tour across local government areas in the state.
Speaking during the visit, the NYCN State Chairman, Emmanuel Olayi, said the campaign seeks to mobilize young people across communities to prioritize peace, dialogue, and lawful participation in the political process.
According to him, the council decided to embark on the outreach in recognition of the critical role youths play in shaping the political and social stability of the state.
He noted that while young people have the constitutional right to support political candidates of their choice, such support must not degenerate into violence.
“Our message is simple: the future of our state must come first. Young people must not allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence during elections,” Olayi said.
He explained that the Future First campaign would involve a series of engagements with youth groups, traditional institutions, and community leaders across the state to reinforce the values of unity, peaceful coexistence, and civic responsibility.
The campaign, he added, will also create platforms for young people to raise development concerns affecting their communities and channel them to appropriate government authorities and stakeholders.
During the engagement, the Paramount Ruler of Obudu, Felix Abanbeshie Okudare, commended the youth council for initiating the campaign and described the effort as timely.
The monarch urged the youth leaders to sustain grassroots sensitization by organizing town hall meetings and youth conferences that would further strengthen the message of peace and responsible conduct.
He also advised young people to avoid being manipulated by political actors, encouraging them instead to focus on education, skills development, and lawful participation in governance.
The NYCN leadership further disclosed that the council plans to monitor ongoing development projects in communities across the state and relay feedback from young people to relevant authorities to ensure that grassroots concerns receive adequate attention.
Youth leaders at the engagement reaffirmed their commitment to building a united and responsible youth constituency capable of contributing positively to the development of Cross River State as the political season gradually approaches.
