By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times, December 31, 2025
The Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Katsina State Chapter, has reviewed its activities for 2025, highlighting expanded youth engagement, policy advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives, while commending the Katsina State Government for what it described as sustained investments in youth development and inclusive governance.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Buhari Mainiyya, disclosed this on Tuesday during the Assembly’s end-of-year press conference held in Katsina.
According to Mainiyya, the gathering was aimed at assessing the Assembly’s performance in 2025, appreciating stakeholders’ support, and reaffirming its commitment to advancing youth participation in governance and development.
“The Youth Assembly of Nigeria was established as a structured voice for young people in governance, development, and nation-building. In Katsina State, this mandate guided all our engagements throughout 2025,” he said.
He explained that the Assembly expanded its outreach across local government areas to ensure inclusiveness and balanced representation, while strengthening internal structures and coordination with grassroots youth leaders.
Mainiyya noted that the Assembly organised and participated in policy dialogues, leadership conferences, stakeholder meetings, and community engagements addressing key challenges affecting youths, including access to education, unemployment, skills development, security awareness, social inclusion, and civic responsibility.
He said capacity building remained a major focus, with trainings, workshops, and mentorship programmes exposing youths to leadership ethics, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and conflict resolution.
“These efforts were designed to prepare young people not only for leadership positions, but also for responsible citizenship and sustainable livelihoods,” he stated.
The Speaker added that the Assembly consistently promoted peace and unity through sensitisation campaigns against political violence, drug abuse, and other social vices, while encouraging dialogue and respect for democratic institutions.
Commending the Katsina State Government under Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, CON, Mainiyya said government interventions in education, infrastructure, and healthcare had positively impacted young people across the state.
He cited school infrastructure upgrades, policies encouraging enrolment and skills acquisition, road construction, and community infrastructure projects as developments that enhanced economic activities and created opportunities for youth employment.
On healthcare, he said improvements in facilities and access to medical services had contributed to healthier communities and increased youth productivity.
Mainiyya also praised the state government for adopting youth-centred policies that recognise young people as partners in governance, noting that youth inclusion in consultations and planning processes had strengthened trust and civic responsibility.
He specifically commended the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Engr. Surajo Yazeed Abukur, PhD, FNSE, for what he described as consistent advocacy for youth-related issues, sports development, talent discovery, and empowerment programmes.
The Speaker further acknowledged the role of the media in amplifying youth voices and promoting accountability, as well as the support of development partners, civil society organisations, and private sector collaborators in youth-focused initiatives.
As the year draws to a close, Mainiyya said the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Katsina State Chapter, would deepen engagement, strengthen advocacy, and enhance accountability in 2026.
He urged youths across the state to remain proactive, law-abiding, and united, stressing that sustainable development requires disciplined participation and constructive dialogue.
“When youths are empowered, engaged, and included, society prospers,” he said.
He concluded by expressing gratitude to the Katsina State Government, partners, and the media for their support throughout 2025, and wished residents a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
