By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government, through the office of the Director-General, Sustainable Development Goals/AUDA-NEPAD, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has organised a 2-day Review and Validation workshop of Bauchi Youth Policy Development towards an inclusive, responsive and sustainable framework for youths development.
The workshop was aimed at providing an atmosphere for stakeholders to sit together, review the existing policy and improve on it based on the present reality.
In her opening address, Director-General, SDGs/AUDA-NEPAD,, Lydia John Shehu, said that available demographic estimates indicate that young people aged 15-35 account for approximately 48.5% of Nigeria’s population while those aged 10-34 constitute about 44.6% of Bauchi State population which includes includes young people that are both men and females.
According to her, “These figures underscore the urgency of developing inclusive policies that address the existential, economic, social, health, and leadership needs of our young people. Youth development must therefore be understood not merely as a social responsibility, but as a strategic development or investment in peace, security, productivity, and sustainable development.”
She stressed that,,”When young people are adequately educated, equipped with relevant skills, they become agents of innovation, community development, and economic transformation. Conversely, when their legitimate aspirations are neglected, the resulting frustration may expose them to unemployment, social exclusion, drug abuse, violence, and other forms of insecurity.”
Lydia Yusuf added,”It is against this background that the Bauchi State Government, under the able leadership and purposeful leadership of Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has continued to pursue development initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and opportunities available to the people of the state, including young people.”
She added that, “The administration’s efforts in infrastructural development, agriculture, sports, human capital development, and other sectors provide important foundations for expanding opportunities and improving livelihoods.”
The DG stressed, “The challenge before us is to ensure that these initiatives are fundamental, wide-ranging, inclusive, and transformative, that it places the wellbeing of young people at the centre. Our urban, semi-urban, and rural communities are beneficial to the various projects.”
According to her, “Such a policy must recognize the diversity of the young population and address the different circumstances of young women and men, including those affected by poverty, limited access to education, unemployment, disability, geographical isolation, and other forms of disadvantage.”
“As we review the policy, we must ask ourselves whether it adequately addresses the aspirations of young people and whether its provision can be translated into measurable improvements in their lives,” she atressed.
She concluded, “All of you are highly resourceful individuals. Your coming here is to look through the draft policy. Some of you were part of those that drafted the first policy framework, but now we are trying to review it and validate it. So please think outside the box.”
She added, “When you go through the document, ensure you bring in very important and critical issues that affect the youth so that by the time the policy is being rolled out, a lot of changes will be done. In my capacity as the Director of Sustainable Development Goals Office at the State Coordinating Office, Bauchi State, I recognize the close relationship between youth development and the achievements of the SDGs.”
Also speaking, a representation of the State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, said that the Ministry is always there to ensure that every programme received the required budgeting and adequate release.
He also stressed the importance of having a reliable youth policy which will enable government plan adequately for youths development and empowerment without waiting for job opportunities from government which are very scarce.
The Ministry of Youths Development assured that it is ready to participate effectively in the development of the youth policy in ensuring that the State has one.
Other line Ministries including Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Justice and other relevant organizations commemded the initiative which they believed was long overdue.
