By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has expressed its resolve to establish Digital Incubation centers and Information, Communication Technology (ICT) hub to engage teeming youths in useful venture for their growth and development.
The Incubation ceteres are aimed at training startups that will further attract investors in that sector for growth and development
It will also partner the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Federal Government of Nigeria for a programme known as Investment in Digital Skills Enterprise which will equip youths with essential skills to fostering digital technologies and Articial Intelligence (AI ).
To that effect the State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has approved the appointment of a 27 years old Youth, Ibrahim Tijjani to head the ICT unit of the state.
He added that in his Ministry, there is a department of Digital Economy and ICT which is in charge of developing profitable venture for the Youths and devolop them for a better opportunity.
The disclosure was made by the State Commissioner of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Aminu Hammayo at the One-day Sensitization Meeting with the theme: ‘From Clicks to Progress, Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development’, organized by the Bauchi State Government through the office of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) held in Bauchi on Friday.
The Commissioner explained that the government is determined to utilize the abundant human resources available in the state to build a virile state structure which will stand the test of time.
He also stated that governnent will partner educational institutions, tech companies to create skills workshops that will engage the Youths
He stressed that the government believes in the ability of the youths to participate actively in governance the more reason it has many youths in its cabinet considering the fact that it is youths driven.
Aminu Hammayo stressed that the government will continue to introduce programmes that aimed at ensuring that the Youths are fully engaged and developed for a better Bauchi State.
He enjoined the participants at the meeting to pay attention to the presentation in order to achieve the set objectives of growth and development.
In his own goodwill message, Commissioner, Ministry of Information and Communication, Comrade, Usman Garba Danturaki, stated that, “As we gathered here today to celebrate our power, our passion and our potentials on this great day. We must remember that we are still being regarded as tomorrow’s leaders and also change makers of today.*
He added that,”We are the ones who will shape the future, who will innovate and who will solve problems facing our communities. We must also recognize the fact that some of these challenges we face such as discrimination, injustice, inequality are part of the processes of our development.”
“We must accommodate our diversities and celebrate our differences and stand in unity and solidarity with one another to harness of potentials. Let us build a generation that breaks down barriers among us and unite us in tackling our challenges together and create a society that is just, fair and ensure equitable distribution of resources in peaceful manner,” he added.
The Commissioner stressed that,”As we have unique perspectives and voices, let us use it to speak the truth so as to demand a better society. Let us rise together so that our voices could be heard in order to shape the future we want to see and salvage the generations ahead.”
According to him,”It is indeed a rear privileged for me to be part of this occasion, I am sure that the participants present here will use the knowledge acquired and lessons learned from the skill acquisition by this reputable international organization for the betterment of yourselves and humanity. I would also like to appeal to you to be good ambassadors of your various organizations and the state at large.”
Also speaking, Commissioner of Education, Dr Jamila Mohammed Dahiru commended UNFPA for the support it has been rendering to the education sector of the state saying that it has been very tremendous.
The Commissioner added that the focus on youths growth and development is very important to the survival of the state stressing that a developed youths will ensure a sustainable Bauchi State society.
Jamila Dahiru further highlighted that the Ministry of Education is everything humanly and administratively possible to have programmes that are youths friendly especially in practical skills and trades acquisition even as they pursue their academic activities.
She also assured that the Ministry of Education will continue to partner relevant agencies and organisations with the aim of building capacity of the Youths across the state.
Earlier, the DG, Bauchi State SDGs office, Lydia Shehu said that the meeting was put together to celebrate the 2024 International Youth Day and to raise awareness among youths in the state.
Lydia Shehu who highlighted the objectives of the SDGs urged the participating youths to ensure that they took the training seriously and understood the various presentations for their growth and development.
