Bauchi Speaker Urges Youth Participation In Politics

Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Suleiman, has asked young people to actively participate in politics as a pathway to effective governance and sustainable development.

He made the call while addressing youths at a mentorship initiative for aspiring party leaders and prospective political candidates, organised by the International Republican Institute (IRI) in collaboration with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) held in Bauchi yesterday.

The programme is designed to promote democratic participation and encourage the inclusion of under-represented groups in the political process.

Addressing the participants, the speaker described the youth as leaders of tomorrow and urged them to rise to the challenges of leadership by embracing responsibility with courage, integrity, and commitment.

He emphasised that accountability, transparency, and integrity are fundamental principles of good governance, noting that they are not mere slogans but the foundation upon which effective leadership is built.

Suleiman encouraged participants to take full advantage of the workshop by engaging actively in discussions, asking questions, sharing ideas, and learning from the wealth of experience offered by the mentors.

He further noted that the mentorship programme provides a valuable platform for networking and building relationships that would be beneficial throughout their political journeys. According to him, participants were not only expected to listen but also to engage critically, challenge ideas, and draw inspiration for future leadership roles.

The speaker expressed appreciation to the International Republican Institute and the National Endowment for Democracy for their continued support and for organizing the workshop, stressing that such initiatives are essential to strengthening democratic institutions.

He also urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure that the voices of young people are heard and that they are adequately prepared to lead with purpose, professionalism, and vision.