BY NONYE JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
Kaduna youths under Youth Advocacy Campaign for the Accelerated Implementation of the Demographic Dividends Roadmap has called for strengthened collaboration with the Kaduna State Government to accelerate the implementation of the state’s demographic dividends agenda.
The appeal was made on Monday during an advocacy visit to Hon. Mukhtar Zubairu, Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), at the Government House, Kaduna.
During the visit, the youth group formally presented Hon. Zubairu with a letter of appointment as a Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Champion, acknowledging his role in advancing youth engagement on the state’s demographic agenda.
In a communique signed by Usman Idris Abdullahi (NYCN Kaduna State), George Candidus Amos (Lifelyne Creative Company), Sumayya Abdul Hussaini (OGP TWG), Barr. Christopher Yange Atsen (YALI Kaduna State), Benjamin Sheyin (OpenGov Youth Innovation Hub), and Waniya Ilu (Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation), the group expressed appreciation to the Special Assistant for granting the audience.
The group made several requests which includes; Partnering with the Youth Advocacy Group to secure the Deputy Governor’s commitment on the establishment of a coordination mechanism with the Ministry of Youth Development as the Secretariat.
“Championing the establishment of the coordination mechanism, alongside the accelerated development of an implementation plan and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework, with support from development partners”.
The communique also noted that the youth advocacy group, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Assistant, would engage the Deputy Governor on the establishment of the coordination mechanism and work towards the accelerated development of the roadmap’s implementation plan and M&E framework.
Responding, Hon. Mukhtar Zubairu warmly received the youth delegation and expressed gratitude for the appointment.
“I am honored to accept this appointment as a Demographic Dividends Champion. I pledge my full support to this advocacy campaign and will ensure the Deputy Governor is briefed on its objectives.”
He further assured the group of his readiness to collaborate in advancing the state’s demographic dividends agenda, signaling a strengthened partnership between the government and youth-led initiatives in Kaduna State.
