AbdulRaheem Aodu, Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state has promised to sustain the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship (KIF) leadership programme, while empowering youths to thrive in the state, noting that youth are the majority of the state population.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony of the Fifth Cohort of the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, the Governor tasked youths of different backgrounds to shun divisive forces and come together with a common vision and commitment to serve of the country. He said Nigerian youths must be pro-poor, pro-development, think outside the box, challenge themselves and push themselves to their limits for Nigeria to development.
The Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship, an initiative of Kaduna state government under former governor Nasir el-Rufai in 2018 and in its fifth year, is a one-year non-partisan leadership training programme designed for young Nigerians of diverse background between the ages of 25 to 35. It has graduated 94 youths, from across the 36 states of the federation, in leadership, public service disciplines and other ethos.
Addressing the 24 fellows of the Fifth Cohort, Governor Sani said such programmes “play a vital role in fostering unity in our dear country. Our administration recognizes that the youth constitute the largest demography in the state. As such, we are committed to creating a youth-friendly environment. The vigour, attitude, and intellect of our young persons are crucial to the future of our State. From sports and education to skills development and healthcare, our administration’s programmes aim to empower young people to thrive.
“If our youths come together to fashion a common vision for our country and commit themselves to the service of the nation, we shall, in no time, join the league of developed countries. To achieve progress and development, our younger generation must never give in to divisive forces. We are confident that through this mentorship program, we have instilled the right attitude, skill-set and values needed to excel within and even beyond the four walls of government.
“The more opportunities we provide for young people to learn, share experiences, and work towards a common vision for the future, the stronger our nation becomes,” he said.
Justifying his resolve to sustain the fellowship programme, Sani said, “in a truly creative and innovative approach, this Fellowship programme supports young individuals in gaining invaluable public service experience, honing their skills, and advancing their careers. Fellows are posted to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as special assistants to the governor where they actively learn, engage in high-level meetings, and provide monthly reports to the governor.
The graduating fellows in their various testimonies said they learnt a lot, had their perceptions changed and become a better person within the last one year, while expressed appreciation to Kaduna state government for the opportunity.
