The Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative (FOCEI), LEAP Africa, and the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, on Wednesday concluded a two-day stakeholders’ engagement meeting for the domestication of the Gombe State Youth Policy.
Declaring the engagement closed, the Permanent Secretary, Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Ali Ibrahim, reiterated Governor Muhammadu Yahaya’s commitment to youth inclusion, disclosing that the draft policy would soon be forwarded to the State Executive Council for ratification.
Ibrahim lauded participants for their active contributions, saying, “This is a rare privilege; I guess the youths outnumber the adults. It’s a rare privilege to have you seated to chart a new course and after this stage, we will move to the State Executive Council — they are the highest decision-making body in the state. They will sit down to review what you have done. You may not have realised what you have done until the council approves and it’s implemented.”
The Team Lead of FOCEI, Benjamin Maina, commended the participants, expressing delight that the long-awaited youth policy is gradually becoming a reality.
Maina said, “We are excited that our efforts through engagements and advocacies are becoming a reality. We are optimistic that the policy would be domesticated in no distant time.”
The Consultant handling the technical process, Bachama Yusuf, facilitated the day’s activities with exceptional expertise and coordination.
Representing the Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Culture and Ethical Orientation, Mijinyawa Tilde, the Acting Deputy Director of Culture, Raymond Roggen, also delivered a goodwill message.
He conveyed the Ministry’s deep appreciation to the State Government for creating an enabling and youth-friendly environment where ideas, innovation, and participation can thrive.
Tilde reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to continue its partnership with relevant agencies and development partners to ensure that the youth policy becomes a living and transformative document for generations to come.
The Consultant, Bachama Yusuf, further expressed profound appreciation to the organisers and participants for their active engagement and intellectual contributions throughout the session. He announced that the pre-validation process of the draft policy document would commence immediately, signalling the transition into the next critical phase of the policy’s formulation.
He urged stakeholders to remain optimistic that the Gombe State Youth Policy would serve as a strategic roadmap for addressing the yearnings and aspirations of the youth while promoting innovation, peace, and sustainable development across the state.
Periscope Nigeria recalls that on Tuesday, the workshop began with Governor Muhammadu Yahaya declaring it open.
Yahaya, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of Gombe State, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, urged participants to give their best as the policy reaches its critical stage.
He said, “This meeting marks a significant milestone in empowering the youths of Gombe State as active participants. Their energy and innovation remain the bedrock of any economy. The domestication of Gombe’s youth policy is a forward step in combating our challenges and realising our opportunities, as it will address the yearnings and aspirations of our teeming youths in entrepreneurship and civic participation. This is the first time we are doing this since the state’s creation.”
The governor added, “Let me appreciate UNFPA for its unwavering support in advancing youth development and gender equality in Gombe State. Let me also recognise FOCEI for its advocacy and technical expertise in formulating this policy. This engagement is not just about developing another policy for the state but about creating a collective roadmap that ensures young people get the opportunity to realise their potentials.”
He disclosed that the state under the current administration has been inclusive of young people, saying, “As a government, we commit our unwavering support to the outcome of this engagement. In Gombe State, positions are held by young people. I therefore urge all participants to actively contribute by making inputs that will enhance the success of the domestication process.”
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Alkali, said the policy would address the needs of youths and serve as a roadmap to meeting their aspirations within the realities of the state.
He said, “I wish to thank the Governor of Gombe State for his political will and for providing an enabling environment and approving the domestication process. I want to thank UNFPA and FOCEI for providing financial resources to ensure Gombe State keys into the youth policy that addresses the needs of young people in our dear state. To participants — you should feel free to provide needed inputs in the development of a quality document that government and donor partners can reckon with.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Inuwa Adamu, described the process as “a great milestone.”
He said, “It will ensure youths are included in our development framework. This is a bold step towards ensuring our youths are not left behind. We are committed to fostering an environment where youths are seen as critical stakeholders in a prosperous Gombe State.”
FOCEI Team Lead, Benjamin Maina, described the engagement as “a new dawn for youth participation in Gombe State and a milestone that represents youth inclusion in governance.”
He added, “For over two years, FOCEI, in collaboration with the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund and LEAP Africa, has been working tirelessly in empowering the youth in different areas such as advocacies, stakeholder engagements, and capacity building. These efforts have brought government, civil society, and youth leaders together toward one goal — to ensure Gombe State has a functional youth policy that reflects the priorities of its young citizens.”
He continued, “We sincerely appreciate the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for leading the process and our visionary Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, for championing youth development in the state. This engagement is expected to foster inclusive development in Gombe State.”
Participants were divided into different thematic groups, each tasked with addressing a key factor affecting youth development. Through intensive discussions and collaborative presentations, the groups identified actionable strategies to strengthen governance participation, economic empowerment, social inclusion, and technological advancement among youths in Gombe State.
