By Segun Adewale, Bauchi
The Coalition of Northern Youths on Security and Safety Affairs, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has commemorated the 2025 International Youth Day with a focus on how young people can play a pivotal role in promoting peace, political and socio -economic development in the country.
The event which was held at the Conference Hall of the Federal Secretariat, Bauchi, on Wednesday, 13 August, brought together uniform voluntary organizations leaders, and stakeholders to discuss practical ways of fostering unity, preventing violence, and building inclusive communities.
Our Correspondent who covered the event reports that the day was marked with a public lecture with the theme “Youth engagement for the betterment of the nation”.
Speakers at the event emphasized the need for youths to embrace dialogue, civic responsibility, and constructive engagement as tools for sustaining peace and security in the society.
In a keynote address, the State Director, National Orientation Agency,(NOA), Nasiru Mahe said Youth Empowerment: A Pathway for Curbing Youth restiveness and Insecurity in Bauchi State can only be achieved through empowering the youths which is crucial for the development and progress of the state.
He said the public lecture is to Provide a platform for youths to engage with stakeholders and discuss pressing issues affecting them and chart a way forward for a safer and more prosperous Bauchi state
In his remarks, the state Coordinator of the Coalition, comrade Muhammad Nasiru Idris said the youths have the potential and power to create a better future.
General manager, Globe FM Bauchi, Alkassim Bala urged the youths to use social media platforms and create a better community through projecting issues that affect the society and how they can proffer solutions to some of these issues.
In a paper presentation on the effects of drugs abuse, Mohammed kabir Danjuma said the use of drugs by youths affects their health and instigate them to commit crimes.
Speaking on Criminal Acts, the superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, zone 3, Obadiah Yusuf Zagi mentioned that such acts include crime against persons, property, State ,fraud among others
He said youths should channel their strength and energy towards productive ventures.
In another paper on engaging youths in Agriculture, the deputy director NOA, Bauchi, Adamu Umar Sarkinyara said government at all levels have designed policies but it is disappointing that non of the youths in the hall have either seen or heard of the national youths policy and wonder how they can hold government accountable.
He noted that there are youths heading MDAs in Bauchi state, but unfortunately the youths are not seen leveraging on these opportunities.
Adamu Umar added that the youths need to have a rethink and change their ways of only leveraging on violence but take advantage of the peace of the State to engage in agriculture.
The Youth Secretary, Bauchi, Imam Mohammed Mohammed who spoke on youths contribution said the youth have strength and should engage in voluntary work, community environmental sanitation, development innovations, education and mentorship.
He urged them to build confidence and character and stand on their own and by so doing the elders and government can support them
Other speakers include the commander WAI brigade , representatives of the Nigerian correctional service, ministry of women affairs and the Nigeria immigration service.
