*Photo: Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya*
The Chairman Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has tasked Northern leaders to ramp up strategies for the redemption of the youth in the region.
Governor Yahaya was speaking as chairman of the Northern Nigerian Roundtable on Youth Development organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja Tuesday with the theme “Empowering the next Generation for Sustainable Development.” He stated that youth empowerment is a necessary tool in curbing unrest and achieving stability in the region currently plagued by various challenges.
The Northern States Governors Forum Chairman also noted that the massive turnout and participation of young people in Northern Nigeria’s End Bad Governance protest serve as a wake-up call for leaders in the region, demonstrating a disconnect among the citizenry.
He therefore challenged the meeting to work out strategies of transforming the youth in the region into opportunities, communities, and economy in collaboration with organisations that will ensure sustainable development and empowerment, ultimately fostering peace and prosperity in Northern Nigeria.
The Governor also observed with concern the involvement of the youth in banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping for ransom, as well as resource conflicts currently undermining rural development and food security in Northern Nigeria. He attributed this to the poor quality of education and the neglect of the youth.
He said the above concerns have resulted in the disruption of agricultural activities, leading to decreased production and increased food scarcity, exacerbating poverty and unemployment among youth in the region.
Represented by Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Governor Yahaya, however, observed that the challenges facing the Northern region are more evident due to historical patterns of regional inequality prevalent in the country.
He drew the attention of Northern stakeholders to dispassionately discuss and identify actionable strategies that will attract investment, generate employment, promote micro, small, and medium enterprises to ensure wealth creation for the collective benefit of the rapidly growing population of youth in the North.
Governor also assured that the Northern States Governors Forum will galvanize resources and intelligence to enhance the quality of life of people in the North.
In their separate messages of goodwill at the occasion, the Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetima represented by Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar, The Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, former Governors and some prominent leaders harped on peace and also extolled the good leadership qualities of Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto of blessed memory which they say are worthy of emulation by current leaders and called for leaders to rise to the occasion to tackle issues of youth restiveness for the betterment of the Northern region and country at large.
The highlight of the occasion is a panel discussion in understanding the causes of youth discontent, challenges and aspirations.
