Gombe Governor Mainstreams Youth in New Development Policy

Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya declared that young people must shape the future of the state, highlighting his administration's commitment to providing the necessary policies and opportunities for their growth. This commitment follows the State Executive Council's approval of the Gombe State Youth Policy, a framework designed for a deliberate, coordinated, and sustainable approach to youth development.

Governor Yahaya described the policy as a significant step in realizing his administration's youth-centered vision. He stated that young people should not just be prepared for the future but empowered to influence the present. Reflecting on the International Youth Day theme, "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations," he noted the universal desire among youth for opportunity, inclusion, dignity, skills, and meaningful participation.

The new Youth Policy will bolster government initiatives in education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, employment, innovation, leadership development, and youth involvement in governance. Governor Yahaya pointed to his administration's practice of entrusting young people with sensitive government positions as evidence of their capacity. "We see them as partners in building Gombe today," he stated, emphasizing their role in decision-making.

He urged young people to proactively create opportunities rather than passively wait for them, advocating for technology, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills as paths to economic independence and community transformation. As a practical example, he cited the government's partnership with the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI), which established a digital skills acquisition center supporting over 2,000 young people.

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We do not see our young people merely as the leaders of tomorrow. We see them as partners in building Gombe today. That is why we are giving them opportunities to serve, lead, innovate and contribute to decisions that affect the future of our state.