By Prosper Okoye
More than 250 young professionals, youth leaders and representatives of youth organisations gathered in Benue State for activities marking International Youth Day, with participants calling for greater youth involvement in economic development, governance and peacebuilding.
The Benue State chapter of the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association of Nigeria (USGEAAN) led a coalition of more than 30 youth-led organisations and other stakeholders in the activities, held under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
The programme began with a solidarity walk on August 12 in Makurdi, the state capital, with participants moving from the High Level Underpass to the Benue State Government House.
Organisers said the walk was designed to promote youth participation, peace, inclusion and development, while drawing attention to the role of young people in shaping the future of the state.
The activities culminated in a youth dialogue on August 15 at the Centre for Food Technology Research (CEFTER) in Makurdi, bringing together young people and representatives from government, business, technology, peacebuilding, investment and community development.
Benue State Statistician-General, Kumafan Dzaan, delivered the keynote address on preparing young people for the global stage, urging participants to take ownership of the future they want to create.
“Globalisation is a standard, not a location,” Dzaan said, according to the organisers.
Two panel discussions focused on setting a youth development agenda for Benue and exploring ways young people could engage with global opportunities.
Participants also held breakout sessions on economic prosperity and decent jobs; education, skills and innovation; agriculture and sustainable livelihoods; leadership, governance and social inclusion; and peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
The discussions examined the challenges facing young people and possible roles for government, institutions and youth organisations in addressing them, while encouraging greater collaboration towards creating opportunities for young people in the state.
A key outcome of the gathering was the adoption of the Benue Youth Charter, also known as “The Benue Dream.” Organisers said the charter would consolidate participants’ priorities and recommendations and provide a basis for continued advocacy and policy engagement on youth development in Benue State.
The USGEAAN Benue State chapter, led by Dr. Terese Shadrach Akpem, thanked participating organisations, partners, volunteers, facilitators, rapporteurs and media teams for their contributions to the programme.
The organisers said the gathering was aimed at translating discussions on youth aspirations into sustained engagement on development priorities and encouraging young people to play a more active role in the economic, social and governance affairs of Benue State.
