Yobe Integrates Youth Into Governance to Drive Innovation, Productivity – Buni

Yobe Integrates Youth Into Governance to Drive Innovation, Productivity – Buni

The Yobe State Government has deliberately integrated young people into governance and public administration as part of efforts to combine fresh ideas, digital expertise and energy with the experience of seasoned civil servants to improve productivity and service delivery.

Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN, disclosed this on Thursday at the “Breaking Barriers to Trade and Leadership” Summit, organised by the African Leadership Organisation in Abuja.

According to the governor, the policy became necessary because young people constitute a significant proportion of the state’s population and are playing an increasingly important role in driving the digital economy.

He explained that while experienced professionals bring institutional knowledge and administrative expertise, young people contribute digital skills, innovative ideas and new approaches capable of accelerating productivity and improving government services.

“Yobe State today parades the youngest Secretary to the State Government, while several other young university lecturers have been appointed as Chief Executive Officers of some of the newly established departments and agencies, giving the youth a very rare opportunity to participate in governance,” Buni said.

Agriculture Driving Economic Empowerment

The governor also highlighted the impact of his administration’s investments in agriculture, saying the initiatives have contributed to improved food security and economic empowerment across the state.

He noted that many beneficiaries had expanded their farmlands and progressed from being small-scale farmers to employers of labour.

“I am glad that this initiative has economically empowered our people, many of whom have not only expanded their farmlands but have become employers of labour,” he said.

Buni further pointed to the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of roads linking communities across the state, saying the projects have improved the movement of people, goods and services while also enhancing the speed of security response.

He explained that improved road networks have also facilitated the transportation of agricultural produce from rural communities to newly constructed international markets across nine locations in the state.

According to him, the improved infrastructure has reduced farmers’ dependence on exploitative middlemen and created better access to markets for agricultural producers.

Cargo Airport Attracting Investment

The governor also highlighted the construction of the state’s international cargo airport, saying the project is increasingly attracting the attention of potential investors, particularly in the agro-allied sector.

He disclosed that some investors had already expressed interest in investing in the processing and export of agricultural commodities, including sesame seeds, one of the state’s major agricultural products.

Buni said his administration’s development agenda remains focused on human capital development, agricultural empowerment, infrastructure, trade and investment opportunities.

He acknowledged that the development process remains a work in progress but maintained that the government had laid a strong foundation through visionary leadership and strategic investments aimed at creating sustainable opportunities for the people of Yobe State.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building an economy where young people can participate meaningfully in governance, entrepreneurship and economic development while leveraging technology and innovation to accelerate the state’s transformation.

Yobe Integrates Youth Into Governance to Drive Innovation, Productivity – Buni