By Solomon OKPO
CALABAR, The Cross River State Government has entered into a strategic partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and three tertiary institutions in the state to enhance voter registration and promote active participation of young people in the democratic process.
The partnership was formalized during a joint courtesy visit by representatives of INEC, NIMC, the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), the University of Calabar (UNICAL), and the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, to the Governor’s Office in Calabar.
The initiative is aimed at increasing the number of eligible youths registered as voters, while also strengthening civic awareness and encouraging greater involvement of students in governance and electoral activities.
Speaking during the visit, stakeholders emphasized the importance of youth participation in elections, noting that young people constitute a significant percentage of the population and have a critical role to play in shaping the future of the state and the nation.
The collaboration is expected to facilitate seamless voter registration exercises across university campuses, leveraging the identity management infrastructure of NIMC and the electoral expertise of INEC to ensure that eligible students are properly captured in the voter register.
Officials also highlighted the need for sustained voter education campaigns to address apathy and encourage responsible citizenship among the youth.
The Cross River State Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote democratic values, civic engagement, and inclusive governance, describing the partnership as a major step towards empowering the next generation of leaders.
The participating institutions pledged their cooperation in mobilizing students and providing the necessary support to ensure the success of the programme across their campuses.
