Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to placing young people at the centre of the state’s development agenda, saying they must be empowered to contribute meaningfully to the progress of the state.
Yahaya stated this in his goodwill message to mark the 2026 International Youth Day, shortly after the State Executive Council approved the Gombe State Youth Policy, a framework designed to provide a coordinated and sustainable approach to youth development.
The Governor described the approval of the policy as a major milestone in translating his administration’s youth-centred vision into a structured framework addressing the aspirations, challenges and opportunities facing young people in the state.
He said the policy reflected his administration’s belief that young people should not merely be prepared for the future but empowered to shape the present.
According to him, the theme of this year’s International Youth Day, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”, reflects the shared desire of young people for opportunity, inclusion, dignity, skills, meaningful participation and the freedom to turn their ideas into positive change.
Yahaya said the newly approved Youth Policy would strengthen government interventions in education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, employment, innovation, leadership development and youth participation in governance.
“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,” he said.
The Governor also urged young people to embrace technology, entrepreneurship, vocational skills and innovation as pathways to economic independence and community transformation.
He cited the state government’s partnership with the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) as an example of its commitment to preparing young people for the digital economy.
Yahaya said a fully equipped digital skills acquisition centre had been established under the partnership, with more than 2,000 young people trained and exposed to opportunities in technology and outsourcing.
He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s scholarship system to ensure that students in tertiary institutions receive timely and sustainable support to pursue their education.
The Governor described education as one of the most important investments the government could make in its youth, stressing that an educated and skilled generation was essential to achieving sustainable development.
He urged young people across Gombe State to regard the newly approved Youth Policy not merely as a government document but as a platform for opportunity and a commitment to their future.
Yahaya called on them to participate actively in its implementation, articulate their needs, present innovative ideas and uphold the highest standards of responsibility and citizenship.
“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 assured young people that his administration would continue to listen to them, invest in their potential and create pathways through which their talents and aspirations could contribute to the economic and social advancement of Gombe State.
He congratulated young people in Gombe and across the world on International Youth Day, assuring them of his administration’s continued commitment to building a state where every young person can acquire the skills needed to succeed and play a meaningful role in the development of the state.
