...Dr. Uwemedimo Udo Says Youth Participation Key to Democratic Future as Uyo Students Association Elects New Leadership
The Executive Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area and pioneer Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) from Uyo LGA, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, has called on students to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, describing it as a vital tool for youth inclusion and democratic engagement.
Speaking at the conclusion of the 2026 elections of the Uyo Students Association (USA) Worldwide, held at the Uyo Council Secretariat on Saturday, Dr. Udo urged students to take full advantage of the two-week extension of the registration period and ensure every eligible student obtains a Permanent Voter Card (PVC).
The event, which produced a new executive council for the association, saw Dr. Udo direct the President-elect, Comrade Kingsley Edet, to immediately develop and submit practical modalities for mobilizing students across all chapters for the registration exercise.
“I want the President-elect to urgently work out modalities that will expedite the registration of our students across all chapters. This extension provides another opportunity, and our students must give premium attention to the Continuous Voter Registration exercise,” he said.
Dr. Udo stressed that the future of governance and sustainable development depends heavily on the active participation of young people in the electoral process, with voter registration being the foundational step toward meaningful engagement in nation-building.
He also used the occasion to highlight the remarkable revival of the Uyo Students Association Worldwide, which had been dormant for years before his administration intervened in 2020.
“In 2020, there was no functional Uyo Students Association Worldwide. I had to intervene, and today we have resurrected the association as a vibrant platform that represents the collective aspirations of our students,” he stated.
Political observers have described the revival of the association as one of the standout achievements of the current Uyo Local Government administration, particularly in the areas of youth inclusion and student engagement.
In a further demonstration of his administration’s commitment to education and youth empowerment, Dr. Udo announced that another round of bursary payments to students will commence within the next two months.
The bursary scheme has become a flagship program of his administration, with consistent payments made to beneficiaries since he assumed office.
“In two months, we will begin another round of bursary payments to our students. We will continue to invest in education because our students remain our greatest asset,” he declared.
The announcement was warmly received by students and stakeholders, many of whom praised the initiative as one of the most impactful and sustainable educational support programs in the local government.
The successful conduct of the USA Worldwide election, the renewed push for mass voter registration, and the fresh bursary promise have further reinforced the pro-youth credentials of the Uyo Local Government administration.
Participants noted that beyond financial support, the government is actively empowering young people to become active participants in the democratic process and key stakeholders in the future of their communities.
As the newly elected executives prepare to assume office, there are high expectations that the partnership between Uyo Local Government and the Uyo Students Association Worldwide will continue to flourish, advancing student welfare, civic participation, and youth-driven development.
