Inuwa Yahaya Places Gombe Youths at Heart of State’s Development Agenda

By Jamila Muhammad

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making young people central to the state’s development agenda, as the government moves to implement a new Youth Policy aimed at expanding opportunities in education, employment, skills, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya made the commitment in his goodwill message to mark the 2026 International Youth Day, coming shortly after the State Executive Council approved the Gombe State Youth Policy.

The governor described the policy as a significant milestone in his administration’s efforts to provide a coordinated and sustainable framework for addressing the aspirations and challenges of young people across the state.

He said the policy would help strengthen government interventions in education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, employment, innovation, leadership development and youth participation in governance.

According to him, the administration believes young people should not be regarded only as leaders of the future but as active partners in building Gombe in the present.

“We do not see our young people merely as the leaders of tomorrow. We see them as partners in building Gombe today. That is why we are giving them opportunities to serve, lead, innovate and contribute to decisions that affect the future of our state,” Governor Inuwa said.

The governor said the theme of the 2026 International Youth Day, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” reflects the shared expectations of young people regardless of their backgrounds or communities.

He identified opportunity, inclusion, dignity, skills, meaningful participation and the ability to turn ideas into positive change as some of the aspirations common to young people worldwide.

Governor Inuwa said his administration recognised its responsibility to create an environment where young people in Gombe could develop their talents and turn their ambitions into productive ventures.

He also highlighted the government’s partnership with the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) as part of its efforts to prepare young people for the rapidly expanding digital economy.

Through the partnership, he said, a fully equipped digital skills acquisition centre had been established, with more than 2,000 young people trained and exposed to opportunities in technology and outsourcing.

The governor further reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the state’s scholarship system to ensure that students in tertiary institutions receive timely and sustainable support.

He described education as one of the most important investments government can make in young people, noting that a well-educated and skilled population is essential to achieving sustainable development.

Governor Inuwa urged young people to take advantage of emerging opportunities instead of waiting for government or traditional employers to provide jobs.

He encouraged them to embrace technology, entrepreneurship, vocational skills and innovation as tools for economic independence and community development.

“This is your opportunity to take your place. Learn a skill. Build an idea. Start something. Serve your community. Embrace technology. Seek knowledge. Create solutions. Wherever your talent lies, develop it and put it to work,” he said.

The governor also called on young people to take an active role in the implementation of the newly approved Youth Policy by expressing their needs, proposing innovative solutions and holding themselves to high standards of responsibility and citizenship.

He assured the youth that his administration would continue to listen to their concerns, invest in their potential and create pathways through which their talents could contribute to the economic and social advancement of Gombe State.

Governor Inuwa congratulated young people in Gombe and across the world on International Youth Day, assuring them that his administration remained committed to building a state where every young person, irrespective of background, has the opportunity to dream, acquire relevant skills and contribute meaningfully to Gombe’s development.