By NAN
Sen. Tanko Almakura, represemting Nasarwa South Senatorial District has called on the Northern youth to get involved in governance and contribute to tackling and overcoming the current challenges facing the region.
Almakura made the called while speaking at the inauguration of the newly-elected Speaker, principal officers and members of the Third Northern Youths Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
The Senator said that the capacity and viability of the north lies on the youths and members of NYAN.
“You cannot drive the political and economic activities of Northern Nigeria without the youths.
“I admonish you today to take the lead in the sensitisation of all to overcome the current challenges bedeviling the region.
“You need to participate actively in the affairs of the state so as to help the government in addressing all the issues that is causing a set back to the region,’’ Almakura said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Almakura was represented at the event by the Director-General of his Campaign Organisation, Mr Dominic Alancha.
Speaking shortly after his inauguration, the new Speaker, Mr Ibrahim Lawal, said the perception of creating minorities and majorities among Northerners should have no place in the region.
He explained that discrimination based on place of birth, faith or ethnic group of any Northerner should not be allowed to continue.
“We therefore demand with immediate effect that other governors must take proactive steps to protect members of northern communities who live in their regions.
“We also call on the Federal Government to protect both herders and farmers and to prosecute attackers, and as well as carry out its National Livestock Transformation Plan.
“We condemn the continuous senseless killings, abduction and destruction of lives and properties in the Northern region of the country by terrorist group.
“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to continue in his efforts to get rid of this terrorist group, who has brought pains and agony to our people.
“We implore our governors who are Chief Security Officers in their various states to continue to support Mr President in ensuring that normalcy returns to the region,’’ Lawal said.
According to him, dialogue is an antidote, adding that President Buhari should dialogue with leaders of other regions for the interest of uniting the country, as father of the nation.
Speaking, Mr Ukasha Hamza Rahama, the former speaker of the second assembly, thanked his members for their support.
“My Prayer is the new leadership should continue to press on to ensure that the issue of insecurity is resolved in the north’’.
Similarly, the Chairman Boaed of Trustee, Northern Youths, Mr John Aba, also known as Big Jay, said the spirit of the youth in national development cannot be overemphasised.
“The strength of the nation lies in the youth. What is happening in the north is clear sabotage?
“The youth have a big role to play. The northern youths would be a deciding factor in the 2023 general election to produce the president of this country,’’ Aba said.
NAN reports that the high point of the event was the award of “Most Friendly Youths Leader” that went to Barrister Labaran Magaji, a Federal Prosecutor at the Ministry of Justice.
The inauguration attracted youth leaders and other relevant stakeholders across the 19 northern states of the federation. (NAN