Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has tasked youth and women in northern Nigeria to leverage the region’s rich cultural heritage for unity, peaceful coexistence and harmony.
Governor Mohammed argued that northern youths are critical assets of the region and have a clear role to play in addressing the numerous socio-economic challenges bedevilling the region.
Speaking at the 2024 Arewa Youth International Carnival at Yankari Game Reserve organized by the Arewa Youth and Women for Change Organization, the governor described the occasion as a crucial platform to celebrate and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the northern youth.
The governor who was represented by his deputy Auwal Jatau, said, “We are gathered here not only to revel in our diverse traditions, but also to recognise the invaluable contributions of our youth and women to our cultural development. You are the heartbeat of our communities who would contribute to nurture and sustain our cultural heritage,”
He said while celebrating the heritage through dance, music, and art, there is a need to at the same time reflect on the pressing need for youth engagement in the decision-making processes that shape the society and therefore suggested that the occasion should be used as a forum to showcase culture to forge a vision for the development of the north.
He assured of his commitment to ensuring that voice of young men and women are not just heard, but actively integrated into the state’s governance framework.
To him, the administration’s youth-friendly policies are designed with youth in mind and it has launched several initiatives aimed at empowering young men and women to provide them with the resources and opportunities to thrive.
Minister of State for Youth, Ayodele Alawande commended the leadership of the Arewa Youth and Women for Change organization for the unwavering dedication towards uplifting youth and promoting cultural heritage.
The minister who mentioned some of the youth-friendly policies of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the students loan programme in particular was designed to assist students to complete their tertiary education to enable them to become useful members of society.
