By Muhammad Nasir

Sokoto, April 6, 2021

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Sokoto State on Tuesday engaged students of tertiary institutions on  value reorientation.

The agency conducted the exercise under its attitudinal reorientation programme, tagged “Campus Focus”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state Director of NOA, Alhaji Abubakar Danchadi, said this at the National Youth Summit 2021, organised by the agency in the state.

According to Danchadi, the summit which has as its theme: “Youth Participation in National Development”, considered the challenges   confronting youths in the country.

He said it was important to note that the growing youth bulge in Nigeria was of serious concern to the government.

“These facts clearly indicate that the government can no longer ignore the demands of young people and therefore raises the need for a different approach for productivity and national development.

“The peaceful protest by Nigerian youths against the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) has raised a number of issues worthy of consideration.

“That is why the government must now engage and hold dialogues with youths on a sustainable basis and ensure that it is proactive in dealing with the challenges confronting them,” he said.

The director further explained that the objective of the summit was to engage Nigerian youths on government policies, programmes and activities in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is in order to inform and educate youths on various social investment programmes designed for their empowerment and how to key into these programmes.

“It is also to analyse issues raised by Nigerian youths, provide credible feedback and build confidence in them on ability and commitment of government to addressing  their challenges.

“The programme will as well reawaken the consciousness of  youths on the need to embrace the national core values and ethics as well as seek resolutions of their grievances through dialogue,” he added.

The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Bashir Garba, appreciated the Federal Government for coming up with programmes that had direct impact on youth development.

Garba, represented by the Director, Quality Assurance in the ministry, Mr Muhammad Bawa, urged Nigerian youths to desist from  social vices to ensure the best future for them.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Social Investment, Alhaji Hayatu Tafida, expressed confidence that the social investment programme of the government would continue to yield positive results on Nigerian youths.

NAN reports that two papers were presented at the event, the first on: “The impact of Youth participation and Involvement in Policy Making and Governance” by Malam Nura Attajiri, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Greenlight Center for Youth and Social Services

The second paper entitled: “Insecurity and the Nigerian Youth: The Way Forward,” was presented by CSP Mainasara Maru from the Police Command in Sokoto.