Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has declared that Nigeria is Unity just is on course and on the right track to more greatness.
Bagudu stated this on Sunday, when he addressing members of various Kebbi youth groups at the celebration of the 2020 National Youth Day , held at the Haliru Abdu Stadium, in Birnin Kebbi.
He said:” Nigeria is a one , united , indivisible country and we pray that, it continues to be so. It cannot however be said that , it cannot be made better . This is our collective responsibility .”
The Kebbi Governor added that, there was the urgent need to provide the youths with the confidence of a truly united Nigeria.
“This is to empower them to take up competitions with other countries, to do better and support Nigeria,” Bagudu averred.
He further expressed delight that, Nigeria was abundantly blessed with a crop of talented , committed and robust youthful population .
The governor spoke eloquently about an indigene of Kebbi State, Zaidu Sanusi Jega who has attained international fame as a professional footballer now playing for the Portuguese first division club, Porto and also a member of Nigeria’s Super Eagles .
His words :” This is contrary to what is happening in other countries that are suffering from the abject dearth of such a blissful youthful population.
“Proactive efforts should however be made to effectively harness these abundant resources and blessings, to better the nation.
“The youths should be made to effectively take up their future leadership challenges and help them to explore and exploit their talents fully.
“There are numerous opportunities in entrepreneurship, ICT, sports, agriculture, entertainment and arts, among others .
“There are also abundant opportunities provided by the three tiers of government in the areas of training and marketing , as well as enabling policies and programmes in this direction.”
The Kebbi Governor further extolled the diligence, dedication and patriotism of the corps members , whom he said had sacrificed their comfort to entrench peace,unity and national development.
He also called on youths in the country to respect and appreciate what the security agencies were doing in their relentless efforts in providing security and protection of lives and property of the citizens.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Gidado Aliyu Kaliel, expressed gratitude to governor Bagudu for his physical presence at the event.
He described governor Bagudu’s administration passion for youths welfare and development as unprecedented in the history of the state.
Kaliel said that, the Kebbi State Government under the leadership of Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has placed emphasis on the development of teeming youth.
On his part, the Emir of Gwandu, represented by Wazirin Gwandu, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar, expressed satisfaction for commemorating the youth day, describing it as apt and appropriate.
He lauded the NYSC scheme as an avenue for unity and youth development, calling on the federal government to sustain it.
The youths, he said, are crucial segment of the country, pointing out that any country that neglected its youths, was doomed.
The monarch also enjoined youths to be prepared to champion the course to take the country to the promised Land.
Highlights of the activities to mark the National Youth Day featured novelty football match, paper presentation by Distinguished Senator Kashim Shetima, former governor of Borno State on Youth Development and Mentorship: The Role of Northern Elites and Panel discussion on Assessing the National Youth Investment Funds , Prospects and Challenges.