Special Adviser To Governor Bassey Otu on Digital Economy, Mr. Philip Obin
By Ita Williams, Calabar
In an insightful declaration, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Digital Economy, Mr. Philip Obin, has enumerated the transformative power of journalism in shaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
Speaking from his office in Calabar recently during a chat with some Journalists, Obin remarked, “People rose up to say the pen is mightier than the sword. This principle has brought us to the uninterrupted democracy we enjoy today.”
He underlined the media’s profound impact on the nation’s democratic progress recounting the roles played by Journalists, stating, “Writing is one of the best things you can do for your mind. It develops thoughts and creativity.”
Reflecting on his personal journey, he added, “I believe stakeholders in this field are underappreciated. We need to do more to advocate for our own advancement.”
The Adviser nostalgically shared his experiences of a communal conflict in Jhansi, where he witnessed first-hand how the written word altered the course of events.
“I still believe that the pen is mightier than the sword. I come from an area, particularly in Jhansi, where we had a communal war for the first six years, he said.
“All the guns, all the ammunition, and knives of that war—it took the pen to write to the President, and they deployed soldiers, leading to peace today. So the pen is always mightier than the sword,” Obin declared with conviction.
He elaborated, “In those tumultuous times, it was the pen that reached the authorities, ultimately leading to peace. If we can use the power of the pen to effect change in our democracy, we can certainly employ it to enhance our personal economies.”
Obin also introduced the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), aimed at empowering young Nigerians aged 18 to 40.
“It’s crucial for young Nigerians to leverage this fund, which offers financial support ranging from N3 million to N100 million,” he noted.
Obin revealed that the government had allocated N110 billion for the initiative, aimed at youth with solid business plans.
To qualify, applicants must have a Nigerian BVN and NIN, possess a registered business, and submit a comprehensive business plan detailing financial projections and marketing strategies.
Obin reported that his office has been actively registering youths for the NYIF, stating, “In the last month, we’ve had between 50 to 100 volunteers assisting in the registration process. We managed to register nearly 10,000 applicants.”
He encouraged the youth of Cross River State to take advantage of this funding initiative, asserting, “This is a crucial step towards empowering our youth.”
