‘It’ll be a game-changer’ — Uba Sani calls for youths’ involvement in tackling insecurity

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, has called for the strategic involvement of youths in the fight against insecurity in the north.

Sani spoke in Kaduna on Wednesday at the ‘Stakeholders’ roundtable on northern Nigeria youth development’ organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.

The governor advocated that past and present northern leaders should fashion out a marshal plan for youth development in the region.

He said the marshal plan must involve all stakeholders, adding that ‘’all northerners, who held political positions from 1999 to date (from the federal to state levels) must be involved in this northern rescue mission”.

The governor added that ‘’apart from the political class, the business class, traditional and religious institutions, and civil society must be involved”.

‘’In the development of marshal plans, security plans, or frameworks, northern states governments and stakeholders must strategically engage the youths,” he said.

“Their full involvement will surely be a game-changer in our fight against insecurity and tackling of our developmental challenges.

‘’In Kaduna state, we are building three vocational and technological skills acquisition cities to equip our youths with the requisite skills to enable them to take up jobs in industries and other businesses our administration has attracted to Kaduna State. The skills cities will graduate at least 12,000 youths annually.

‘’We are also remodelling the Panteka market in Kaduna to become a major centre for skills acquisition, engaging over 38,000 artisans.

“We are carrying out a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade at Panteka Market to make it an international centre for skills acquisition and job creation.”

Sani also said that his administration ‘’ is collaborating with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to provide Nigerian skills qualifications framework (NSQF) certification for Skills Cities and Panteka market graduates.

‘’NSQF is an instrument approved by the Federal Executive Council for the development, classification, and recognition of skills, knowledge, and competencies acquired through technical and vocational training,’’ he added.

He noted that ‘’this certification is recognised locally and globally and will provide our youth with employment across various industries”.

‘’Additionally, we shall support the graduates of our Skills Cities and Panteka Market with start-up packs and financial support to enable them start their own businesses and gradually become employers of labour themselves,’’ he added.