Khadijah Aliyu
The Kano network of NGOs KANET has urged the government and relevant stakeholders to establish a youth development trust fund to mitigate challenges and uplift the state to global standards.
The chairman of the KANET steering committee, Dr Musa Abdullahi Sufi, made the call during a press conference to celebrate International Youth Day 2024, supported by AMG foundation.
According to him, other key areas of the youth development trust fund include education, skills development, health, well-being, inclusion and support for vulnerable youth, leadership, governance, innovation, digital economy and creativity.
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Dr. Sufi pointed out that, youth in Kano face various challenges such as high unemployment, limited access to education and skills training, health and marginalization of vulnerable groups.
“Kano is home to a vibrant and dynamic youth population, however many of our young people face significant obstacles. These challenges not only limit the potential of our youth but also have broader implications for the development of our state”
He explained that, the international youth day is a moment for reflection and action, saying that it is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of young people to their communities and to the world.
Dr. Sufi hinted that the call to action urges the empowerment of youth through mobile phones and internet access enabling them to contribute to both personal and national development.
“The recent protests against bad governance which escalated into violence and resulted in the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property in the state, serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for youth driven initiatives”
The chairman noted that, “on this international youth day we are calling on the Kano state government the private sector civil society organizations and international partners to join us in this important initiative”
He appealed to the Kano state government to take the lead in partnership with other stakeholders, including KANET, AMGF, YOSPIS, Mufarka, the business community, research and academia, and development partners to develop the youth trust fund.
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“With a clear governance framework that ensures transparency, accountability, and youth participation”.
Dr. Sufi called on the private sector and development partners to contribute to the fund.
“The success of our youth is not just the responsibility of the government, it is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration across all sectors.
The 2024 International Youth Day 2024 is themed “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development “