Some residents of Bauchi have called for upscaling the federal government’s youth empowerment programme this year to curb youth restiveness and general insecurity in the country effectively.

The people made the call in separate interviews in Bauchi on Wednesday.

They expressed concern over the increasing rate of thuggery, youth restiveness and insecurity in different parts of the country.

According to them, youth empowerment can help to reduce the teeming size of unemployed youths.

They argued that empowering the youths would help them engage in legitimate and decent businesses, ultimately reducing poverty.

A member of a civil society organisation in Bauchi, Dinatu Daniel, described the army of unemployed youths in the country as worrisome.

“These youths need to be engaged in something that would earn them a decent living and keep their minds off crime and criminality. The federal government should initiate more comprehensive youth empowerment programmes that will offer the youths the skills and knowledge they need to survive and succeed in life,” Ms Daniel said.

Another resident, Sani Mohammed, said the country was faced with many challenges, including bad governance, climate change, insecurity and youth migration, amongst others.

Mr Mohammed, a retired civil servant and businessman, said, “However, despite the various problems, there is still hope. Part of this hope is that some youths are willing and committed to being self-reliant but lack the support and opportunity.

“The youths are the future leaders, but to reach their full potential, government at all levels must make concerted efforts to implement policies and programmes that will empower them.”

Also, Dalhatu Abdullahi said people have high expectations that things will improve in 2024 but urged the Federal Government “to change the narrative.

“Reintroducing quality education from primary to secondary schools can help empower the youths by preparing them for future jobs and being able to work at high-level positions. Weak primary and secondary educational foundations can lead to a low-quality workforce.

“Introducing information communication technology at the basics is therefore imperative to build a quality workforce for the future,” Mr Abdulahi said.

He urged the government to engage the youths in talent development and skills training intentionally.

He said many Nigerian youths were highly talented but lacked the requisite support to develop and harness their potential for greatness.

“They tend to discard their talent over the years. “Talent development is an approach that helps to support the youths in discovering and enhancing their capacities in areas they are already excelling in.

“With government’s help, employers also play a critical role in boosting employment opportunities for youths by providing job facilitation to match young job seekers with job offers,” he said.

Therefore, the respondents appealed to the government to develop strategies to promote youth empowerment and employment opportunities in 2024. 

(NAN)