Stakeholders in Bauchi advocates active participation of youth in decision making.
By Abubakar Baba Ahmad.
Stakeholders working on inclusive governance in Bauchi State have advocated inclusion of youth in all aspects of decision making towards ensuring peace, equity and rapid socioeconomic development.
They made their feelings known at a two day capacity building workshop for local authorities on Inclusive Decision making and SDGs goal 16 organised by International Alert held in Bauchi.
The Youth Arise project under International Alert is an empowerment initiative being implemented at Damaturu and Gujba as well as Bauchi and Gamawa local government areas of Yobe and Bauchi States respectively.
One of the stakeholders and District Head of Bauchi Alhaji Nura Adamu Jumba said youth constitute the larger chunk of the society, hence the need for them to be included in all decision making processes.
Represented by one of his Ward Heads Lawal Ibn Maja, the district head charged traditional leaders under his domain to enlighten people on the policy and ensure youths are involved in their activities.
The Permanent Secretary State ministry of Youth and Sports Baba Waziri represented by the Deputy Director Youth development Mrs Paulina Logji who underscored the importance of such trainings as avenues towards establishing trust between youth and authorities.
Baba Waziri used the medium to highlight some initiatives introduced by the present administration to ensure youth inclusion and empowerment in the state.
In a remark, the Secretary Bauchi Peace Mentors Jessica Patrick who said the workshop is apt considering the number of unemployed youth in the society, called for proactive measure towards engaging them in useful ventures.
Jessica Patrick disclosed that the organisation is currently working towards sensitising youth and other stakeholders on the need for peaceful coexistence.
Another participant and Ward Head of Sulaiman Adamu quarters Engineer Nurudden Yusuf who called on the conveners to organise similar trainings for traditional leaders, promised to step down the knowledge to youth in his domain.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria, the convener of the training and Senior Program officer International Alert Sunday Jimoh said the project seeks to engage youth from the participating local government areas in peace and inclusive governance issues.
Sunday Jimoh further disclosed that similat trainings would be held at Gamawa in Bauchi state as well as Damaturu and Gujba local government areas of Yobe state.
