By: TUNDE BOLAJI MINNA.
The Niger State Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba has appreciated a community based Non-governmental Organization (NGO) in the state; Progressive Ambassadors that trained youths in various trades, and also provided starter packs for them to start up their businesses.
He spoke at the graduation ceremony and special lecture under the theme, “Youths Participation in Politics and Development for Social Change, held on Saturday at the Women Multipurpose Hall, Minna.
The deputy governor said the event was timely and that the government was sincerely appreciative of the gesture aiming at complementing the efforts of the government in improving the livelihood of youths in the state.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s office, Alhaji Bello Ibrahim, Comrade Garba said the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago is the most youth friendly government, with close to 3,000 youths been given a permanent and pensionable appointment, aside political appointments.
He also disclosed that a lot of youths in the state have benefited from various empowerment programmes under the present administration, such as the NG-Cares which has various components, adding that more youths empowerment programmes are on the way.
The Deputy Governor also called on all Nigerlites irrespective of tribal, political, and religious affiliation to support the present administration in its quest to guarantee a New Niger for all.
Chairman of the occasion and council chairman of Mokwa Local Government, Amb. Abdullahi Jibrin Muregi commended members of the Progressive Ambassadors for their efforts to help other youths like them to grow.
He also disclosed that they were proud to be identified with the organization, and declared his unwavering commitment and support to the organization in order to realize its goal.
In his goodwill message, the Director General of the Niger state Road Maintenance Agency (NIGROMA), Hon. Farouq Audi who was decorated as advisory board member of the organization applauded members of the NGO for taken the bull by the horn to contribute their quota in solving some societal challenges associated with the youths.
He observed that when youths were engaged positively it will take them away from many social vices, such as youths restrictiveness, thuggery, drug abuse among other vices, adding that he was proud to be associated with the organization.
The guest lecturer, Prof. Mohammed Ibrahim from the department of Agricultural extension, Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, urged the youths to participate actively in politics and electoral process.
He added that if the youths are part of the decision making circle on issues that affects them they would be able to contribute meaningfully on their own case because the elderly will never represent them better in such decision making.
Prof. Ibrahim who made a comparison of the age some past leaders of Nigeria steered the country, also urged the youths to reject the tag of leadership of tomorrow, saying their time is now.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Progressive Ambassadors, Amb. Mujaheed Abu-Mahfuz said the organization is a group of like-minded youths which started with just 10 members and had grown into a movement across the state.
He disclosed that the organization had been in existence for over a decade carrying out activities that drives societal development.
According to him, a total of 100 youths was set for the training programme but were graduating 43 across skills, like local cosmetics and perfume production, make up artistry, barbing, and backyard farming.
Amina Aminu who speaks on behalf of all the beneficiaries expressed excitement over the empowerment programme and appreciated the Progressive Ambassadors for the gesture, assuring that they will use the knowledge acquired to help themselves and improve their livelihood.
