Bafarawa, Naja’atu Mohammed Launch Northern Youth Empowerment Initiative

From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

Amidst the numerous socio-political and economic challenges facing Northern Nigeria, former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, and human rights advocate, Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed, have launched the Northern Star Youth Empowerment Initiative (NSYE), a non-governmental organization.

At a press conference held at Arewa House, Kaduna, NSYE Co-Chair, Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed, stated that the initiative aims to usher in a transformative era for Northern Nigeria.

She emphasized that the launch was not merely the announcement of an organization, but the declaration of a movement—NSYE—a call to action for all young people in the region.

Hajiya Mohammed clarified that the movement is non-political and will not be used for political purposes. She asserted that the region’s current issues transcend the politicization of security, social, and economic challenges. As elders of the North, their role is to provide young people with a pathway to progress and regional development.

“Leadership in any healthy society plays a critical role in the education, mentoring, empowerment, and engagement of the younger generation, ensuring their energy and intelligence are channeled towards positive outcomes,” she said.

“This is a universal principle, and the North cannot be an exception. Our region faces profound challenges and stands at a crossroads” She said.

Mohammed stressed that these challenges require bold, innovative solutions and significant collaboration between leaders and youth.

She outlined the NSYE’s objectives: to galvanize and harness the mental and physical strength of individuals across the North for the social and economic development of the region.

She noted that the North’s rapidly growing youth population presents a potential economic asset and an opportunity for leadership to establish a framework for harnessing this potential for sustainable growth.

The NSYE Co-Chairperson added that this presents an opportunity for Nigeria to become a global economic and political powerhouse.

However, she lamented that 64 years after independence, numerous opportunities for greatness have been squandered, with leadership being a key factor in these failures.

Former Governor Bafarawa expressed his dismay that the North, historically a stabilizing force in Nigeria, has reached its lowest point in socio-economic indices since the First Republic.

He asserted that it is unacceptable for political, business, traditional, intellectual, and security elites to remain passive while the region declines socio-economically and politically. This prompted their initiative to galvanize youth to lead the region back to its former prominence.

Bafarawa acknowledged the enormity of the task but pledged to do everything possible to empower youth and restore the region.

He criticized the indifferent attitude of many Northern elites who have prioritized accumulating wealth at the expense of their people and the region.

The former governor urged the youth to embrace the initiative with vigor and seriousness, ensuring that the ignited torch illuminates their path to Northern greatness, regardless of religious, ethnic, or personal sentiments.

Highlights of the press conference included the introduction of the NSYE team from various Northern states.