The Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, on Friday, 5th August, 2022, convened a one-day Youth Summit held at the Abacha Youth Centre, Lafia.
Among others, the Summit was aimed at brainstorming and charting the way forward for youth of the State. It’s also to provide positive contributions to curb social vices among young persons in order to make them become agents of positive change for the overall growth and development of the State and larger society.
Declaring the Summit open, State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, acknowledged the roles of youth in the development of the society, but decried the alarming rate of social vices among the target audience.
He challenged them to channel their energy and wherewithal to meaningful ventures, and desist from acts capable of tarnishing their image and their families.
He assured of Government’s continuous support to youth-related activities for the actualization of their goals and general development of the State.
“This Summit is the brainchild of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development aimed at acknowledging the value of our youth and their contributions to both state and national development.
“The Governor Abdullahi Sule administration is youth-friendly, hence his consistent involvement of youth in the daily activities of his administration.
“I doubt whether there is any administration that has accorded more value and prominence to youth like the Sule Government has, and he is poised to do more for the general welfare and productivity of Youth of the State as long as his administration is concerned”,
“As purpose-driven youth, we can take advantage of this benevolence of the Governor and join forces to make his administration succeed and put our beloved State in the global map”,
“We have to desist from acts that are inimical to our collective goals and aspirations. We should be worthy ambassadors of our State and be worthy examples to the society”, he advised.
The Commissioner, however, noted that there was the urgent need to call on youth across the country to draw a chart for national development in line with the National Youth Development Policy, stressing that a successful country is premised when its youth population are meaningfully engaged and adequately supported.
Chairman of the event and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Youth Affairs, Hon. Shuaibu Sani, warned youth against the use of vulgar and or extremist messages on social media which are capable of causing chaos or disunity in the society.
Guest Speakers at the Summit, Professor David Ishior of the Federal University, Lafia, and Engr. Mohammed Sani Sidi, Chairman, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Alumni Association, Nasarawa State Chapter, who spoke on the subject matter, “NIGERIA YOUTH AND SOCIAL VICES: THE INTERMEDIATE FUTURE OF THE NATION, AN OVERVIEW OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT POLICY – THE PLACE FOR SELF-RELIANCE”, called on youth not to allow themselves to be used as agents of divisions, chaos and or destruction.
They charged youth to efficiently use their talents, energy and numerical advantage to recreate the kind of society they and future generations can be proud of.
Isaac Kigbu, Naomi Peter and Jesse Agidi were some of the participants at the Summit.
They appreciated the Ministry and Nasarawa State Government for initiating the event, describing it as apt and timely, noting that it would go a long way in creating socio-cultural and religious tolerance and harmony in a society that is gradually losing its humanity, equality and destiny.
They assured that they would put to use everything learnt at the Summit and equally impact the knowledge to their peers for a better society.
The Theme of the Summit was “CURBING YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN SOCIAL VICES FOR A MORE PROGRESSIVE NASARAWA STATE.
Participants were drawn from various youth bodies across the State.
/Eche Amos
