By Murtala Muhammad
The importance of social inclusion in policymaking and economic decisions took centre stage at this year’s commemoration of World Population Day in Bauchi, themed “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World”.
The event, organised by the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning, and Multilateral Coordination in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), attracted participants, mostly youths from higher institutions with campuses in the state capital.
Youths and persons with disabilities (PWDs), who served as panellists at the event held at the Banquet Hall of the Bauchi Government House, urged authorities to stop viewing them merely as political tools during electioneering but as independent thinkers capable of driving sustainable change for national development.
A visually impaired panellist and lecturer at Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education, Kangere, Akibu Ahmed, stated that unless communities refrain from discriminating against PWDs, achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10—Reduced Inequalities—would remain difficult.
Ahmed noted that many PWDs possess significant talents and potential to contribute to societal development but are often denied opportunities due to socio-cultural misconceptions.
A youth leader, Rex Stephen, highlighted that while young people form the largest segment of society and possess knowledge of emerging technologies, they are rarely given platforms to make meaningful impacts in their communities.
Another panellist, Asmau Yero Ahmed, a girl-child education advocate, stressed the importance of sensitising girls on menstrual hygiene management through open discussions, allowing them to ask questions freely to access accurate information.
She also emphasised the need to encourage girls to pursue digital education, noting its current low uptake among them.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Student Union Governments from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi lamented the persistent elitist mindset that dismisses youths as mere political thugs despite their strategic role in national development.
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