SIR AHMADU BELLO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION HOSTS STAKEHOLDERS ROUNDTABLE ON NORTHERN NIGERIA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AT NAF CONFERENCE CENTER, KADO, ABUJA

The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, under the leadership of its Board of Trustees Chairman, His Excellency Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu OON, CON, (Talban Minna, and Sardaunan Hausa), former Governor of Niger State, convened a two-day Stakeholders Roundtable on Northern Nigeria Youth Development at the NAF Conference Center, Kado, Abuja.

In his welcome address, The Chairman of the Board of Trustee Sir Ahmadu bello memorial foundation and Former Governor H.E, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu celebrated the Foundation’s 15 years of service in promoting sustainable development and social progress in Northern Nigeria. He reflected on the enduring legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, whose leadership epitomized honesty, integrity, and a commitment to the welfare of the people. Our youth are the backbone of our region’s future. Investing in their education, skills, and opportunities is not just necessary but essential for reducing unemployment and fostering societal stability, he stated.

Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu also highlighted the need to review educational curriculum to prioritize skill acquisition and urged stakeholders to focus on actionable strategies to combat youth restiveness. This roundtable is a call to action for all stakeholders to commit to meaningful investments in our youth and their future.

The event attracted prominent dignitaries, including:President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, represented by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, Speaker of the House of representative, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas ably represented by Hon Ado Doguwa, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Mallam Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State, His Majesty Professor ortese lorzua Ayatse, the Tor Tiv of Benue State, Former Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency Murtala Nyako and Former Governor of Kano State, H.E Sen Mall Ibrahim Shekarau (Sardaunan Kano),Alh. Muhammadu Munir Ja' afaru (Madakin Zazzau) among others.

Also present were political leaders, business organizations, youth groups, and private sector representatives participated in the discussions, highlighting a collective commitment to addressing the challenges faced by Northern Nigeria’s youth.

During his speech, H.E Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu outlined four critical questions to guide the deliberations:

1. What do the youth want?

2. What role should they play in regional development?

3. What tools and support can stakeholders provide?

4. What kind of environment will foster responsible leadership among the youth?

The first day of the roundtable featured discussions on key issues such as Empowering the Next generation : Strategies for sustainable youth development in Northern Nigeria, Understanding the Causes of youth discontent: Their Challenges and aspirations and Stakeholders roles and responsibilities in youth development. The dialogue provided a platform for stakeholders to share insights and propose solutions to the pressing challenges facing Northern Nigeria's young population.

The discussions will continue tomorrow, focusing on the development of actionable strategies and the implementation framework to ensure the outcomes of the roundtable translate into meaningful change. Participants have expressed optimism that the conclusions from the two-day event will lead to impactful interventions for empowering the youth and fostering regional progress.

The event reaffirms the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundations dedication to honoring the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello and driving sustainable development in Northern Nigeria.

Signed:

Abdull Marafa 

Secretary

Talban Minna Media Crew

19th November, 2024.