To End Youth Restiveness, Zulum Advocates Empowerment, Skills Acquisition, Scholarships
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum
To End Youth Restiveness, Zulum Advocates Empowerment, Skills Acquisition, Scholarships
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for the implementation of robust skills acquisition programmes, enhanced educational opportunities and scholarship schemes as strategic measures to combat youth restiveness and unemployment in society.
Speaking at the 7th National Council on Youths Meeting (NCYM), held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri on Thursday, Governor Zulum emphasised the need for governments to prioritise youth development. He described the youth as “future leaders” who require adequate support to fulfil their potential.
Themed “Transforming and Repositioning the Nigerian Youth to Thrive and Catalyse Economic Development”, the meeting provided a platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration aimed at advancing youth development in Nigeria.
Governor Zulum, the event’s Chief Host, expressed pride in Borno State’s role in hosting the significant gathering.
He highlighted his administration’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment since assuming office in 2019, despite the challenges posed by the prolonged Boko Haram insurgency.
Governor Zulum also underscored the immense potential of Nigeria’s youth population, noting that recent statistics reveal that 70% of the country’s population is under the age of 30. “This demographic is a significant asset, offering the potential for a highly productive economy in the near future”, he remarked.
He noted that since its inception into office in 2019 to date, the present administration which has been battling with over a decade-old Boko Haram crisis has been very committed to supporting youths through the implementation of various initiatives aimed at empowering the youths, which including the provision of vocational training skills programmes, education, scholarships, distribution of Keke Napep, electric motor vehicles, establishing a mechanical village at Molai and other entrepreneurship support programmes across the 27 local government areas of the state.
“In our society, the youths have faced numerous challenges, ranging from economic uncertainties, educational barriers and insufficient opportunities, among many others.
“However, it is inspiring to see how many of our young people are stepping up, driving change and becoming the architects of their destinies and our tomorrow.
“It is on record that youths in Borno have greatly contributed to peace and security and the overall socio-economic development of the state. The emergence of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) has brought a great respite to the security architecture of the state.
“Borno indeed has reclaimed its glorious position of Home of Peace and Hospitality. So please feel at home and enjoy the centuries-long hospitality of the good people of Borno State.
“As a government, we recognise that our youth are the backbone of our society and it is our responsibility to provide you with all the necessary support and resources to thrive and develop to your full potential.
“We believe that investing in our youths is investing in our future and we are committed to creating opportunities for you to grow and be successful”, the governor stated.
He, therefore, commended the Federal Minister of Youth and Sports Development (FMYD), Mr Ayodele Olawande, Borno Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Saina Buba, and all other stakeholders for choosing Borno as the venue of the meeting, even as he urged participants to feel free and brainstorm critically towards complementing efforts of the government in revamping the future of youths in society.
In his address, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, expressed deep appreciation to the Borno State government for hosting the NCYM.
“This meeting reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s collective commitment in advancing the interest of Nigerian Youths in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda,” Olawande said.
He called on other state governors to emulate and follow the good steps of Governor Zulum in revamping the future of youths for the best.
Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Saina Buba, highlighted the importance of youth in national development.
He said Governor Zulum, who has a passion for the youths, has spent billions of naira in establishing 17 skills acquisition centres and sponsored thousands of Indigenous students on scholarship in various tertiary institutions within and outside the country, with empowerment and jobs creation for the teeming and vulnerable youth groups across the state.
During the event, the National Youth Workers Association (NYWA) decorated Governor Babagana Zulum with a fellowship award and renamed its national headquarters after the governor.
