Youths in Gombe State have commended Governor Muhammadu Yahaya for approving the state’s Strategic Youth Policy, describing the initiative as a significant step towards addressing the welfare, development and future aspirations of young people in the state.
The commendation was made on Monday during the commencement of the 2026 Youth Week organised by the Gombe State Youth Parliament.
The week, themed, “Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Future,” began with a rally from the Emir’s Palace to the Government House, Gombe.
The Youth Parliament, currently in its third session, also held its fourth sitting at the Gombe State House of Assembly, where issues affecting young people and the wider state were deliberated upon.
Speaking during the sitting, the Speaker of the Youth Parliament, Danladi Aliyu, commended the state government for what he described as its far-reaching support for youth development.
Aliyu specifically praised the Governor Yahaya-led administration for approving the Strategic Youth Policy, saying it would provide a framework for addressing the needs of young people in the state.
“We thank Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the Gombe State Executive Council for approving the strategic youth policy. The government has shown that it is youth-oriented,” he said.
According to him, the policy is focused on prioritising the welfare and development of Gombe youths while creating opportunities for them to realise their potential.
Aliyu said the Youth Parliament had consistently advocated the adoption of the policy, adding that its approval represented an important milestone for youth development in the state.
“Over some time, we have been advocating for this policy. We are grateful that the State Executive Council has approved the strategic document. It will support youths in the state to realise their full potential because it is aligned with the state development agenda,” he added.
The Speaker also said the Youth Parliament would continue to engage relevant stakeholders on policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of young people.
At the fourth sitting of the parliament, members also deliberated on the need to promote responsible use of social media and tackle cyberbullying among young people.
One of the issues raised was a proposed citizenship and literacy programme aimed at equipping young people with the knowledge required to use digital platforms positively.
A member of the parliament, Adam Ishayaku, said the initiative would help promote responsible digital citizenship and reduce the misuse of social media.
He said the programme would encourage youths to deploy social media platforms for productive purposes rather than activities capable of causing harm to individuals and society.
Also speaking after the parliament sitting, Special Assistant on Student Affairs, Al-amin Bako, pledged continued collaboration with the Youth Parliament to advance youth-oriented programmes across the state.
Bako who was a former President of the Gombe State Students Association, said the parliament had an important role to play in protecting the interests of young people and ensuring that government policies translated into tangible opportunities.
He said the Youth Week included programmes designed to directly benefit young people, including a medical outreach and entrepreneurship activities.
“Since 2020 to 2022, there has not been any celebration from the Ministry of Youth and the parliament. Alhamdulillah, with the resuscitation of the ministry and the parliament, we have organised a week which comprises medical outreach and entrepreneurship for our youth in the state,” Bako said.
He commended the participants for their involvement and expressed optimism that the activities would strengthen collaboration among young people across the state.
On his part, National President of the Gombe State Students Association, Muhammad Hamza, described his participation in the Youth Parliament as an honour.
“Mr Speaker, this is my first time being in the sitting of the Youth Parliament, and I’m truly honoured to be here today,” Hamza said.
He commended the state government and the organisers for creating a platform where young people could engage in discussions on governance and development.
Hamza urged young people to remain united and contribute positively to the development of the state.
“We, the youth, are windows of hope and managers of revolution. So we must always contribute to the success of each and every one of us,” he said.
He identified unity as critical to the development of any society, urging young people to avoid divisions and work together in the interest of Gombe State.
“Whenever I find myself in a gathering of young people like this, I give some advice: unity. I believe unity is one important thing in society, which I believe no society or nation progresses without unity,” Hamza said.
He further commended the Youth Parliament for its contribution to promoting unity and collaboration among young people in the state.
The 2026 Youth Week is expected to feature activities focused on empowerment, healthcare, entrepreneurship and youth development, as the Youth Parliament seeks to deepen engagement with young people across Gombe State.
