Niger State Acting Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has said that the future of the state and Nigeria rests on the shoulders of the youths.
The acting governor stated this on Monday at the 2024 International Youth Day celebration, organised by the Niger State chapter of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), held at Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna.
He observed that the day was not just a ceremonial observance but a day marked by reflecting on the immense potential that the youth possess, the challenges they face, and the critical role they play in shaping the future, and particularly the future of the state.
Comrade Yakubu noted that the theme for this year's celebration, "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development," was not just apt but timely, particularly as the state chapter has streamlined the theme to focus on "Positioning Niger State as the Lead Driver in Nigeria's Food Security Efforts: Youths as Critical Actors."
The Acting Governor said that the state was blessed with a dynamic and enterprising youth population that is reshaping the dynamics of leadership, hence the rationale behind their administration’s policies and programs being centred on youth development in the state, and that it was essential for youths to know that they are not just tomorrow's leaders but today's critical actors.
He used the opportunity to appreciate Nigerlites, particularly the youths, for the maturity they exhibited by not joining the recent nationwide hunger protest that swept across the nation, adding that while many youths in other parts of the country took to the streets to unleash mayhem, the youths of Niger State chose to remain peaceful, refraining from any acts of violence.
"As your acting governor, I want to reaffirm that our doors are always open for dialogue. We believe that through constructive engagement and collaboration, we can resolve any issue and work together to build a peaceful and prosperous Niger State. Let us continue to engage in meaningful dialogue, knowing that it is the most effective way to resolve conflicts and promote peace," he explained.
He urged the youths in the state to keep up with their good work, remain peaceful and focused, and continue to be innovative in their contributions to the development of the state, adding that together they can build a state that is not only leading in food security but also a beacon of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
Earlier in his remarks, the state commissioner for youths and sports development, Hon. Yahaya Ibrahim Gulbin-Boka, observed that the present administration, under the leadership of Farmer Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, has prioritised youths development because of its belief that youths are the drivers of every societal development.
While appreciating the support of the youths to the present administration in the state, he added that the state government was focused and full of opportunities for the youths, especially in ICT, and urged the youths to take advantage of the opportunity and join hands with the government for sustainable development of the state.
Similarly, the state chairman of NYCN, Amb. Mohammed Abdullahi Ishaq, noted that youths were the key drivers of the digital economy and appreciated the state government for all it has been doing for the youths in the state, ranging from political appointments, bursary allowances, and scholarships for students, among others.
While calling on the government and other stakeholders in youth development to do more for the youths, the chairman also commended Niger state youths for choosing the path of dialogue in the recent nationwide hunger protest instead of the path of destruction.
The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Peter Ndalikali, who was represented at the occasion, described a youth as that young individual who has age advantage, is intelligent, physically and morally upright, has knowledge of customs and traditions, is disciplined, is law-abiding, and does not constitute neusance in the society.
He also urged the youths not to engage in cyber crimes but to make themselves available and key into the agricultural revolution going on in the state.