By; ADAMU ABUBAKAR KUMO
It is common to find various metaphors being employed to qualify the word ‘youths’, such words as “Building Blocks” “Pillars” “Future Leaders” “Cornerstone” etc. These descriptions clearly show how important youths are in society.
While these descriptions are utterly true, it is sad to note that the youth in recent times in Nigeria have been relegated to the background of nation building despite the enormous potentials they possess in terms of intellectual ideas, skills and enthusiasm which are very much needed in the course. Facts and figures clearly show that only few youths are actively in the business of governance. Sadder is the reality that the vibes and energies of youths are now being harnessed to pursue vices which are capable of painting the image of Nigeria black.
Amidst the accusations that old leaders are recycling themselves in leadership realms thereby denying today’s youth the opportunity to be leaders of today rather than the promised tomorrow that will never come, there come a governor in Gombe State who strongly believes that youth are truely the building block of society and their agility, vibrance and creativity are very much needed for nation-building.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Dan Majen Gombe) has practically proven beyond any reasonable doubt that for governance to be effective, youth must be given the opportunity to put their ideas, intellect, knowledge skills and enthusiasm into the process of nation building. Their exclusion from elective offices and other positions robs society of their contribution to economic and political development.
As a strong supporter of youth’s participation in governance therefore, the governor appointed numerous youths to occupy strategic positions in his government, the approach that is yielding positive results in public administration in Gombe State.
Dan Majen Gombe appointed many promising youths into his cabinet as commissioners to give youth opportunity to participate in the highest position of governance. Hon. Julius Ishaya Lepez, Commissioner of Information, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development and Hon. Abubakar Aminu Musa Commissioner of youth Development are just few out of the numerous vibrant youths in Governor Inuwa’s cabinet that are making Gombe State proud.
Gombe State Internal Revenue Service (GIRS) is another Parastatal in which the governor appointed a highly intellectual youth as an Executive Chairman. Abubakar Inuwa Tata has taken Gombe State to the 6th position out of the 36 states based on IGR performance in 2020. This attracted many awards and honours to Gombe State which turned the Jewel State into a model. In addition, Malam Saifullah Ibrahim Waziri of GIRS was appointed Executive Director, the yongest in the History of Gombe State.
The appointment of a seasoned Town Planner, Dr. Kabiru Usman Hassan as Director General of Gombe Geographic Information Systems (GOGIS), the agency responsible for the modernisation of land administration in Gombe State is another give away to the youth by the governor. GOGIS is now rubbing shoulders with Abuja, Kaduna and other big states that have well established modern institutions for managing land and land related matters.
Dr. Abdullahi Bappah Ahmed, Gombe State Project Coordinator, Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) is another exemplary youth whose dexterity stands out. Dr. Abdullah has been identified by the BESDA national office as the best performing State Coordinator.
Other notable appointments made by the youth-friendly governor include appointments of Dr. Muazu Shehu, Director Genenral, Research and Documentation, Government House; Dr Abubakar Abdullahi Kumo – Permanent Member II Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB; Hon. Sani sabo – Permanent Commissioner III SUBEB; Dr. Babangida Hammani – Permanent Commissioner – Gombe State Independent Electoral Comission (GOSIEC); Former Executive Directors of Gomne State Transport Service (Gombe Line), Abdul Kawo Peto, Barrister Sadiq S. Goro; Barrister Muzammil, Senior Special Advisor Social Investment to Gov. Yahaya; Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu, Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency; Dr. Abubakar Musa, Lead, Gombe State Contributory Healthcare Management (Go-Health) among others.
With these appointments and many more that time and space would not allow us to mention, youths in Gombe State are fully represented in governance, the development that’s contributing a lot to the progress and development of Gombe State.
Dan Majen deserves the title ‘Youth Ambassador’, the title he meritedly earned going by his appointments of ambitious and innovative youths in various positions of governance, the gesture that’s unprecedented in the history of Gombe State.
Thank you Dan Maje for having confidence in us (youth) and for taking us along!
Adamu Abubakar Kumo writes from Gombe.
