More than 250 young professionals, youth leaders and representatives of youth organisations gathered in Nigeria’s Benue State for events marking International Youth Day, with participants calling for greater youth involvement in economic development, governance and peacebuilding.
The Benue 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 for the activities, held under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
The programme began with a solidarity walk on Aug. 12 in Makurdi, the state capital, with participants moving from the High Level Underpass towards the Benue State Government House.
Organisers said the walk was intended to promote youth participation, peace, inclusion and development.
The activities culminated in a youth dialogue on Aug. 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 on engaging 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 challenges facing young people and possible roles for government, institutions and youth organisations in addressing them.
A key outcome was the adoption of the Benue Youth Charter, also known as The Benue Dream, which organisers said would consolidate participants’ priorities and recommendations and serve as a basis for continued advocacy and policy engagement on youth development in the state.
USGEAAN Benue 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 turning discussions on youth aspirations into sustained engagement on development priorities in Benue State.