By Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan
In a bid to strengthen youth engagement and promote grassroots development, Gombe Local Government Council has restated its unwavering commitment to supporting the Youth O’Clock Advancement Association Nigeria in advancing the welfare of young people across the local government, Gombe State, and the country at large.
The Executive Chairman of Gombe Local Government and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Gombe State Chapter, Barrister Sani Ahmad Haruna, made the pledge while receiving a delegation from the youth-led organization during an advocacy visit, unveiling new initiatives aimed at peacebuilding, tree planting, and youth empowerment.
According to Barrister Sani Ahmad Haruna, the youth population remains the backbone of any meaningful and sustainable societal development, stressing the need for consistent support to visionary youth-focused organizations like Youth O’Clock Nigeria.
While applauding Youth O’Clock Nigeria for its transformative initiatives geared toward youth empowerment, the Chairman encouraged the leadership of the movement to stay resolute, committed, and intensify efforts in implementing youth-centered development programmes to fully realize its mandate.
He further reaffirmed his administration’s support for any initiative that promotes genuine development within his local government area and Gombe State as a whole.
Earlier, the Gombe State Coordinator of Youth O’Clock Nigeria, Comrade Abdulazeez Sani Labaran, said the purpose of the visit was to formally present the mission and vision of the movement to the ALGON Chairman and highlight past projects executed by the association.
Labaran, who also serves as the Coordinator of the 36 State Coordinators of Youth O’Clock Nigeria, emphasized the group’s readiness to partner with government and other critical stakeholders in promoting peace and empowering the youth.
He said the movement is committed to driving lasting change through strategic interventions in peace and security, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and youth empowerment initiatives.
Mr. Labaran also unveiled the association’s 2025 flagship project to plant 4,500 trees across the three senatorial districts of Gombe State, beginning in May ending.
He also disclosed plans for a series of town hall meetings aimed at bolstering support for conflict resolution, particularly between farmers and herders and amplifying government peacebuilding efforts.
In a related development, the youth leader revealed that over 3,000 youths from across the state will converge at the Emir’s Palace on August 12, in commemoration of International Youth Day, to submit a charter of demands and later proceed to the Government House to commend Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for youth inclusiveness in governance and push for greater commitments.
Members of the delegation included the Deputy Coordinator Maryam Adamu, Assistant Secretary Zainab Abdu Jibir, Head of Advocacy Asma’u Umar Bayu, and Media and Publicity Committee members, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan and Mustapha Danyarwa.
