Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State has reiterated the need for youths to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their dreams.

He gave the charge on Tuesday in Katsina through his chief press secretary, Ibrahim Kaula-Mohammed, in his message to commemorate the 2025 International Youth Day.

“As we celebrate International Youths Day, I call on our young people to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to their dreams.

“Together, we will build a Katsina State and a Nigeria that truly reflects the aspirations of its vibrant youth population,” Mr Radda urged.

He described the youth as the heartbeat of innovation, community service, and nation-building.

Mr Radda said that they were not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also the driving force of today.

The governor said that his administration remained committed to equipping youths with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

According to him, his administration has rolled out a wide range of youth-focused initiatives, designed to promote self-reliance, creativity, and sustainable livelihoods.

He listed the initiatives to include: Youths Craft Village Transformation, where a total of 634 young people have successfully graduated, each receiving trade-specific training like welding, ICT and carpentry, among others.

“The facility itself had undergone a major transformation, now upgraded to a Technical and Vocational Education, and Training (TVET) Centre of Excellence.

“This upgrade includes the creation of new departments, the securing of international accreditation, and strategic partnerships with training institutes in Brazil and Kano,” Mr Radda said.

In addition, he said, new KYCV sub-centre vocational institutions had been established in Malumfashi and Daura, thereby expanding access to hands-on skills development across the state.

Mr Radda added that the government established an agricultural mechanisation centre in Katsina, fully equipped with modern farming machinery to boost agricultural productivity.

“Furthermore, sub-centres have been set up in all 34 local government areas to ensure the initiative reaches every community.

“As part of this programme, every mechanic who graduated from the Katsina Youths Craft Village in each local government has been employed by their respective Agricultural Mechanisation Centres.

“These young professionals now serve as custodians of the facilities, tasked with operating, maintaining, and managing the machinery that supports local farmers,” he said.

(NAN)