By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on Saturday, commemorated the 2026 World Population Day with the theme: “Realizing the Hope and Aspirations of Young People –
Today and in the Future.”
In her keynote address, the Commissioner for
Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Hajiya
Amina Katagum, commended the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) and all stakeholders for
organizing this important event, which provides people with another opportunity to reflect on the relationship between population dynamics and sustainable national development.
According to her, “The theme for this year’s celebration, “Realizing the Hope and Aspirations of
Young People – Today and in the Future,” could not have come at a more appropriate time. It reminds us that the future of our nation depends largely on the opportunities we create today for our young people.”
She added that, “It challenges us
to move beyond rhetoric and translate our commitments into practical actions that improve the lives of millions of young Nigerians.
Nigeria is one of the most youthful countries in the world, and Bauchi State is no exception. Our young people represent an enormous source of strength, innovation, resilience, and productivity. They possess the creativity to solve today’s problems and the energy to drive tomorrow’s prosperity.”
The Commissioner added, “However, this potential can only be fully harnessed through deliberate investments in human capital development. The hopes and aspirations of young people are simple yet profound. They
desire quality education that equips them with relevant knowledge and skills.”
According to her,”They seek access to affordable healthcare, including reproductive and
mental health services. They aspire to decent jobs, opportunities for entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, digital literacy, security, and an environment where their talents can flourish without discrimination or
exclusion.”
“As policymakers, we have a responsibility to ensure that these aspirations are not frustrated by poor planning, inadequate investment, or weak
institutions. This is where the role of population data becomes indispensable. Reliable population statistics remain the foundation of effective governance,” She also said.
Amina Mohammed Katagum added,”They enable governments to understand the characteristics, distribution, and
needs of the population. They guide decisions on where to build schools, hospitals, roads, water facilities, and other critical infrastructure. They support evidence-based budgeting, efficient resource allocation, and sound economic planning.”
According to her, “Without accurate demographic information, development planning becomes speculative. But with credible data, governments can design policies that are targeted, inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of citizens.”
She added, “The National Population Commission remains extremely important. Their
efforts in civil registration, birth registration, demographic surveys, and population data management contribute significantly to national planning
and sustainable development.”
The Commissioner further said, “Every registered birth is more than a statistic; it is the formal recognition of a child’s identity and an important step toward
accessing education, healthcare, legal protection, and other essential services.”
She also said that, “The Bauchi State Government recognizes that investing in young people is
not merely a social obligation—it is an economic imperative. Human capital is the most valuable asset of any society. Nations that invest wisely in their youth consistently experience stronger economic growth, greater innovation,
improved social cohesion, and more sustainable development outcomes.”
She also said that,”In line with this understanding, the administration of Governor of Bauchi State, continue to prioritize policies and
programmes that strengthen education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, enterprise development, infrastructure, social protection, women’s
empowerment, and youth development.”
“Through strategic budgeting and effective planning, we remain committed to creating opportunities that improve livelihoods and expand economic participation across all sectors.
The Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is committed to ensuring that development planning in Bauchi State remains data-driven, participatory,
inclusive, and aligned with both national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Commissioner added,”We are continuously strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure that public investments produce measurable
outcomes for our people, particularly our youths.”
“However, government alone cannot achieve these objectives.
Parents have the responsibility to nurture responsible, disciplined, and educated children. Communities must continue to uphold values that promote peace, mutual respect, and social harmony,” She added
She further said, “Traditional and
religious leaders have an important role in advocating for education, health,
birth registration, and positive social norms. The private sector should continue investing in youth employment, innovation, and entrepreneurship.”
Also, “Development partners should sustain their valuable collaboration in supporting programmes that improve the wellbeing of our people.Most importantly, our young people themselves must embrace education, hard work, innovation, integrity, and patriotism. They must reject violence, criminality, drug abuse, and all forms of social vices that threaten their future,” She said.
According to her,”The future belongs to young people who prepare themselves through
learning, discipline, creativity, and perseverance. As we commemorate this National Population Day, let us remember that every policy we formulate, every budget we prepare, and every programme we implement should ultimately improve the lives of our people.”
The Commissioner added,
“Development is meaningful only when it creates opportunities for every child to survive, every young person to succeed, and every family to live in dignity.
The aspirations of our youth should not remain distant dreams.”
She stressed, “They should
become measurable realities reflected in better schools, healthier communities, productive employment, safer environments, expanded digital
opportunities, and inclusive economic growth.”
Amina Mohammed Katagum added, “Let us therefore strengthen our collective resolve to build a society where no
young person is left behind; where every child is counted, every birth is registered, every voice matters, and every aspiration has the opportunity to
become reality.”
She concluded saying,” I encourage all citizens of Bauchi State to support initiatives aimed at improving data collection, promoting birth registration, empowering young people, and strengthening human capital development. Together, we can
build a prosperous, peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Bauchi State where every young person has the opportunity to realize his or her hopes and
aspirations—today and in the future.”
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Ahmed Rufai, said that, “The World Population Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on population issues, recognise the opportunities and challenges associated with demographic
changes, and renew our collective commitment to improving the lives of our people, particularly young people who represent the future of our society.”
He added that, “The theme for this year’s celebration, “Realising the Hopes and Aspirations of
Young People Today and for the Future,” is timely and significant. Young people constitute a large proportion of our population and possess enormous potential to
contribute meaningfully to economic growth, innovation, peace-building, and sustainable development.”
He also said that, “However, achieving their aspirations requires investments in quality education, skills development, healthcare, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, and an enabling environment that allows them to thrive.”
The Permanent Secretary added that, “I wish to acknowledge and appreciate the support of the United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA) and other development partners for their continued partnership in
advancing development population and programmes.”
There were goodwill messages from CSOs, representatives of young people, primary school pupils, secondary schools students, PWDs, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other UN Agencies operating in Bauchi State.
At the of the programme, there was signing of commitment by young people led by the Commissioner, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Hajiya Amina Muhammad Katagum supported by Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, Deborah Tabara, State Project Coordinator, UNFPA.
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