Yobe CSOs Seek Social Devt At International Youth Day

As Yobe State joined the rest of the world to mark the International Youth Day 2026, the Network of Yobe Civil Society Organisations has organised a symposium on the critical role young people play in shaping society.

The event, held at the Hall of Fame Cedars Recreational Centre in Damaturu, drew participants from various ministries, departments and agencies across the state.

In a welcome address, the executive director of Yobe Civil Society Organisations, Alhaji Muhammad Baba Kucici, stated that International Youth Day offers crucial opportunities to reflect on the significant contributions of young people to societal development.

He said this year’s celebration, themed “From Inclusion to Impact: Empowering Young People to Lead, Serve and Shape Yobe’s Future,” acknowledged the importance of addressing youth challenges and reaffirmed collective commitments to fostering meaningful participation in decision-making.

Kucici commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for his efforts to include young people in governance through strategic appointments, noting that strong confidence in the capacity of youth to provide the leadership, innovation and energy required to advance the state’s development.

He emphasised that leadership was not only a personal achievement but also about creating opportunities for others, reiterating that civil society organisations would continue to partner with the state government and other stakeholders to strengthen youth participation in governance and development.

Kucci, therefore, charged young leaders entrusted with public responsibilities to serve with integrity, humility, competence and accountability.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Correspondent shortly after presenting his paper titled “Youth Inclusion in Governance: From Representation to meaningful participation”, the Director General, Yobe State Agency for Drug Abuse and Control, Alhaji Baba Shehu, applauded the civil society organisations for organising the symposium, which is both interactive and educative.

He noted that young representation in governance has improved remarkably, raising great hope among the youth in the state.

Baba Shehu revealed that his agency has outlined a robust action plan to address youth drug abuse, a statewide initiative targeting all 17 Local Government Areas and rolling out preventive programmes against drug and substance abuse in the state.

Also, some of the participants, Adam Ibn Ilyas and Salma Hassan Bizi, described the symposium as apt and timely, given that youths are participating in governance in Yobe State.

They called on youths to embrace productivity and engage actively in government decision-making processes to ensure full participation in governance.