By Daniel Dauda, Jos


As part of effort to enhance better engagement and tackle challenges of the region, Northern Governors Forum, NGF, has inaugurated a committee on Youth and Civil Society.

Performing the inauguration in Kaduna, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the setting up of the committee became necessary so as to involve the youths and members of the civil society in the programmes that aim to resolve youth unemployment, illiteracy, crime, poverty among others.

Governor Lalong said the setting up of the Committee headed by the Emir of Zazzau Alh. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli follows the decision reached at the last Consultative Meeting of the Forum and members of the Northern Traditional Council and key stakeholders in Kaduna.

He said "We are well aware that youths form a bulk of the population of the region and the nation, and as such have a great role to play in the destiny of the country. 

"Their voices must not only be heard, but their opinions and views should always be carried along in governance. Here in the Northern Region, the challenges facing the youths are enormous and very well known to us. These include unemployment, illiteracy, crime, drug abuse among others. As leaders, we must not only address these challenges, but also engage the youths in a manner that they own the process to make any initiative successful and long-lasting".

The Governor emphasized that the assignment of the committee is very crucial in Forum's agenda of changing the fortunes of Northern youths from despondency to hope, and from few opportunities to vast windows for self-realization and wealth creation.


In his response, Chairman of the Committee, Emir of Zazzau Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli assured that the committee will face its assignment with vigour and passion and also consult widely to arrive at a conclusion that will assist in finding lasting solution to youths restiveness in the region.

He commended the Northern Governors for conceiving the idea of the Committee which affirms the fact that sooner than later, the youths are going to be in the saddle of leadership.

The Committee which has 33 members drawn from the 19 northern states is expected to complete its assignment within 8 weeks.