The Special Adviser on Sports and Cinematography to the Governor of Cross River State, Prince God’swill Edward, has declared his intention to succeed Governor Benedict Ayade in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Already, the Coalition of Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders of Nigeria (CENYLON), which is the national umbrella body of all Ethnic Nationalities Youth groups in the country, has thrown its weight behind his aspiration.
The Coalition, according to its National President, Chief Eric Oluwole, said that the body took the decision to back Edward’s governorship aspiration at its just concluded meeting in Abuja.
He told The Radiance in Akure the Ondo State capital on Sunday January 9 that: “We shall ensure that Prince Goodwill Edward becomes the next Governor of Cross River State after the tenure of the incumbent Governor Benedict Ayade.”
He said that the decision was predicated on the fact that: “Prince God’swill Edward is a strong member of the organization and based on his great impact in the organization.
“Besides CENYLON decided to support a youth, because this is the time for the youths to take over the leadership in the country democratically at the local, state and federal levels in order to stimulate meaningful development projects that take care of the teeming population of the youths of our great country and the entire masses of our people, who have been praying for the emergence of genuine people oriented leaders prepared to solve the many problems confronting the country and also move Nigeria forward among the committee of nations.
“We have tested Prince Edward him in many ways as a member of the Coalition and we have found him as one who is genuine and passionate about implementing meaningful programmes that address the major problems of the masses of the people of Cross River State particularly at the grassroots.
“We are moved by his faithfulness and trustworthiness as a youth who has a good vision, which we believe he can deliver effectively
to aid the true development of the majority of his great people in Cross River State.
“He is passionate about building sustainable solutions for youth driven development in both in the public and private sectors.”
Oluwole described Edward as a Solution Architect, Social Change Advocate and Business Developer with several initiatives and enterprises including Prince 7 Youth Development Initiative, where he is the President and Founder.
Also, the governorship aspirant, according to him, “has founded a lot of youth driven businesses and organizations that currently empower young people in diverse sectors in the state”
Edward was born into the family of His Royal Majesty the Paramount ruler of Abi LGA and Clan head of Usumutong, Cross River state as the seventh prince of the kingdom.
A graduate of History and International Studies from the University of Calabar; Cross-River state. He is currently a Master’s of Arts (M. A) student at the University of Calabar with special interest in Africa Social and Economic History.
He has over f15 years of proven experience for which he has acquired technical and practical skills on project coordination, planning, and community based development activities as well as implementation of community level sensitization and awareness creation on issues of Youth Development, Environment & Gender & Sustainable Development. This Experience and Process has exposed him to community intervention project planning, implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation.
He has worked and garnered several experience both in Government, Humanitarian and Development work. He is the Chief Executive Officer EddyLiz Nigeria LTD, a business development conglomerate, the founder of Eddyliz Printz Express LTD, Prince 7 Youth Development Initiative (a foundation for youth Entrepreneurship development), Prince 7 Youth Movement (an advocacy group for
inclusion of youth in leadership and public policy), He is a Trustee of the Okegbe Obo Foundation and G7 Patriots International.
He is an astute administrator & Diplomat who has worked in the Office of the Governor of Cross River state in the capacity of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Development, He has worked In the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Policy and Planning Division, Middle East and Gulf Division.
He has received numerous National and global awards like The Nigeria Peace Ambassador from the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Most Influential Peoples of Africa Decent under Forty class of 2018 (MIPAD) award, the West Africa Philanthropist award in Charity and Youth Development, Special Recognition for developing Nollywood from the African Film Development Awards etc. and has also presented many papers at different fora’s and as well has endeavored in many consultancies which has placed his name on the Marble of Sustainable Youth Development in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.
He has organized activities that has brought lime light to many youths in Nigeria: Face of Eddyliz Pageant Competition (Annual event), Prince 7 Basket Competition (Dec. 2013), Prince 7 Soccer Competition (Nov. 2013), Search for the unknown Seed (Dec. 2012) and Street Kids In Sports (Annual event), Prince 7 Abi/Yakurr Sports & Entertainment Festival etc. this activities were/are a platform for the active and meaningful participation of youths in self-discovery and development.
