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Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has lauded the enduring impact of the Bridge Leadership Foundation, describing it as a transformative platform that is grooming a new generation of leaders capable of driving the state’s future development.
The Governor spoke at the Foundation’s 16th Career Day Conference and 15th anniversary celebration in Calabar, where he paid glowing tribute to its founder and former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, for his sustained investment in youth leadership development.
“My soul leaps with joy, and I feel deeply honoured to celebrate 15 years of the Bridge Leadership Foundation; 15 years of building bridges, not just between people, but between potential and possibilities, between mission and vision,” Otu said.
Describing Imoke as a visionary leader, the governor said the Foundation had become a lasting legacy, noting that its impact would continue to shape Cross River’s future. He observed that more than 200,000 young people had passed through its programmes, describing the achievement as a strategic investment in the state’s human capital.
“That means the future is bright. It means we have more than enough capable young people to carry Cross River State forward,” he stated.
Governor Otu urged young people to embrace vision, character, discipline, integrity, innovation and mentorship, stressing that leadership without character is “like a car without brakes.” He also encouraged them to pursue excellence, resilience and continuous learning, noting that leadership is defined more by courage and values than by age.
The Governor further highlighted his administration’s establishment of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, explaining that the institution was created to equip youths with entrepreneurial and adaptive skills required to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy.
Earlier, Senator Liyel Imoke said the Foundation was established to create opportunities for young people by connecting them with leaders and mentors capable of shaping their future, noting that its mission was to build bridges between talent and opportunity.
According to the former governor, true impact is measured not by material gifts but by the lives transformed through mentorship and leadership development.
“Impact and legacy have nothing to do with handouts. Impact and legacy lie in the people whose lives you affect. It is only in that way that society evolves,” Imoke said, adding that the Foundation has impacted over 200,000 young people in the past 15 years and recently introduced the Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship to groom ethical and transformational leaders across Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Industries, Senator John Owan Enoh, former Senator representing Cross River South, Senator Gershom Bassey, the Chief Executive Officer of Levane Energy, Mr. Nzan Ogbe, and several other dignitaries delivered goodwill messages, commending the Foundation for its remarkable contribution to youth empowerment, leadership development and nation-building in Cross River State and across Nigeria.
The conference, themed: “Power, Purpose, Persistence: Youth Leading Change for the Next 15 Years,” challenged participants to embrace visionary leadership, resilience, innovation and integrity as they prepare to shape the future of their communities and the nation.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Emmanuel Ironbar, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani, senior government officials, business leaders, development partners, youths and other distinguished guests.
