By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi Governor Umar Namadi has reaffirmed that youth empowerment and job creation remain at the core of his administrat...
.jpeg)
By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi
Governor Umar Namadi has reaffirmed that youth empowerment and job creation remain at the core of his administration's development agenda, pledging Jigawa State's full support for the expansion of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) and other initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for young people.
The governor made the pledge while receiving a delegation from the Office of the Vice President and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Mr. Akubo Adegbe, and the UNDP Nigeria Senior Adviser, Dr. Iorwakwagh Apera, at the Government House in Dutse.
Governor Namadi described the fellowship programme as one that aligns closely with his administration's 12-Point Agenda, noting that concern for the welfare and future of young people informed some of the earliest decisions taken after he assumed office.
He said the Jigawa State Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment Agency was among the first agencies established by his administration, underscoring its commitment to tackling unemployment and equipping young people with productive skills.
"When we toured the state during the campaign, one thing that stayed with me was the number of young people who came out to welcome us. I kept asking myself what we could do to justify the confidence they placed in us. That is why youth development remains a major priority for this administration," the governor said.
Governor Namadi disclosed that more than 10,000 young people have secured employment in the education, health and agriculture sectors, while nearly 9,900 others have been engaged as security personnel to safeguard public infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and courts.
He assured the delegation of the state's commitment to supporting the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme by complementing efforts to expand its reach.
"Anything that concerns the welfare and future of our youths is something we embrace wholeheartedly. If opportunities are brought to Jigawa, we are ready to do more to ensure that more young people benefit," he said.
The governor also highlighted the state's investment in technical skills development, revealing that 30 Jigawa indigenes were sent to China for specialised training in the operation and maintenance of agricultural machinery procured by the state government.
"Before bringing these tractors into the country, we sent 30 young men to China for training. They returned with the skills to operate and maintain the machines, and they assembled most of the tractors upon their return," he said.
Governor Namadi further expressed Jigawa State's readiness to deepen collaboration with the UNDP in areas that would promote economic growth and improve the livelihoods of residents.
Earlier, Mr. Akubo Adegbe explained that the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, a flagship Federal Government initiative implemented by the UNDP with support from the European Union, was established to bridge the gap between higher education and the labour market by providing graduates with one-year workplace placements.
He said the programme has reached about 29,000 young Nigerians since its inception in 2022, adding that nearly 19,000 beneficiaries have been deployed under the revamped NJFP 2.0, launched in October 2025.
According to him, Nigeria's young people possess immense talent and innovation, but many lack access to opportunities needed to realise their full potential.
Mr. Adegbe commended Governor Namadi's investments in agriculture and vocational skills development after inspecting facilities across the state, particularly the agricultural mechanisation programme.
"Yesterday, Your Excellency, I visited some vocational training centres. What impressed me most was the agricultural mechanisation programme. I've never seen that number of tractors and harvesters assembled in one place before.
"That tells us you are committed to the development of your people. The tractors need drivers, the harvesters require operators, the centres need accountants, and the entire value chain depends on skilled human resources. I sincerely commend you."
He said the delegation was in Jigawa to strengthen collaboration with the state government, improve participation in the fellowship programme and explore sustainable partnerships involving the Federal Government, development partners and state governments.
No comments