The much anticipated Annual Arewa Youth Leadership Summit took centre stage over the weekend in Abuja with the presence of high profile northern groups and political personalities. Critical issues of northern and national interest were buttressed and x-rayed in the theme " The Role of Today's Northern Youth In Shaping Nigeria's Tomorrow" in an earlier discourse of the event before the evening of award recognition and presentations.
The one day summit was put together by cross section of northern groups like Shehu Usman Abubakar Foundation (SUAF), Arewa Young Leaders Initiative (AYLI), Triumphant Youth Foundation (TYF), Muhammadu Anchau Foundation (MAF) supported by Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development Abuja. The programme basically provided a platform for Northern youth to undertake a holistic approach to harness the real participatory power of young people and their readiness to get involve in the peace, security and economic development, develop strategies and collaborations for effective youth engagement in rebuilding the northern region and beyond. The summit was situated within the critical need for a coordinated, timely, strategic, assertive and impactful youth engagement in their community development process.
According to the convener Mr Yusuf "Working towards Sustainable Development Goals in the northern region requires a concerted, deliberate and timely effort if the challenges of our times are to be met. Ensuring northern region is able to sustain economic and social activities and most importantly, life, is more critical now than ever before. The security, Education and social challenges in the region have negatively impacted on the peace, management of natural and human resources and sustainable activities built over many decades, devastating communities and livelihoods, the urgent need to enhance youth capacity and participation in decision-making is more prominent"
He further stressed that the youth will be creating the future of Northern region but currently they are beset with challenges such as crime, drugs, unemployment, political tuggery, insurgency, HIVAIDS in the region. Many youth feel hopeless and vulnerable. The summit provided participants with an excellent opportunity to meet face to face and proffered positive recommendations for Youth, the region and charted the way forward for the coming decades.
The following personalities were honoured at the event; Rt. Honourable Yakubu Dogara - Speaker House of Representatives, Senator Bukola Saraki -President of the Senate, Alh. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje OFR - Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello -Governor, Niger State -Alhaji Kashim Shetima, Governor, Borno State, Amb. Hussaini H. Coomassie -National Coordinator,
Fresh-Connect Initiative For Better Nigeria (FIN), Mrs. Anne Abok - The International Director,
Media Campaign Against Human Trafficking,
South Africa, Dr. Olakunle Churchill -Big Church Foundation, Barr. Zannah Bukar Mustapha - Founder, The Future Prowess Islamic Foundation, Distinguished Sen. Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako - Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duty, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, OON- President, National Olympic Commission, Mr Felix King - Founder, Felix King Foundation, Hon. Binta Bello - Deputy Minority Whip
Representing Kaltungo/Shongom Fed. Constituancy National Assembly, Hon. Ikani Benjamin Okolo - Representing Dekina/Bassa Fed. Constituancy National Assembly, Hon. Alhaji Mukhtar Ishaq Yakasai, Former Chairman, Kano Municipal Council Kano, Hon. Silas Ali Agara - Deputy Governor, Nasarawa State, Hon. Hadiza Bala Usman - Managing Director,
Nigeria Ports Authority, Hon. Rita Orji -Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Isah Mohammed Kutigi, Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Niger State House of Assembly, Ms Fatima Habib - Founder/CEO, Advocacy for Human Value Foundation
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