By Awayi Kuje
ActionAid Nigeria has called on the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to revive and pass the Youth Development Commission Bill, which was considered by the 6th Assembly but stalled after reaching the public hearing stage.
Mr Aliyu Adamu, ActionAid’s Programme Coordinator of the Systems and Structure Strengthening Approach Against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism (SARVE 3) project, made the appeal during a visit to the Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Mr Mohammed Isimbabi, in Lafia on Thursday.
Adamu explained that the purpose of the visit was to seek the lawmaker’s support for the bill, which aligned with the goals of the SARVE project implemented in the state through funding from the Global Community Engagement and Resilient Fund (GCERF).
According to him, the Youth Development Bill is not just another piece of legislation but a timely initiative designed to tackle critical issues such as youth restiveness, unemployment, and the lack of opportunities that many young people in Nasarawa State face daily.
“The establishment of a Youth Development Commission through this bill aims to create jobs, empower young people, and position Nasarawa as a youth hub in Nigeria,” Adamu stated.
He further highlighted the successes of similar legislation in states like Kogi (2018) and Benue (2024), noting their significant impact on youth and broader state development.
“The passage of this bill would provide a legal framework for effective youth empowerment initiatives, reducing poverty and violent extremism by engaging young people in productive activities,” he added.
Adamu urged the Assembly to take up the bill once more, emphasising that Nasarawa youths look to their leaders for support and opportunities.
“By revisiting and passing this bill, the Assembly will be securing a brighter future for our youth and, by extension, for the entire state,” he remarked.
He expressed confidence in Isimbabi’s leadership and the Assembly’s ability to ensure the voices of the youth were heard.
He also commended the Assembly for its previous work on the bill and appealed to the 7th Assembly to prioritise its passage to help build a more inclusive, prosperous, and peaceful state for future generations.
In support of this call, Mr. Salisu Musa- Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Nasarawa Youth Advocacy Cluster—a group formed by ActionAid Nigeria during the SARVE 2 project—stated that the advocacy group consists of representatives from all youth groups in the state.
Musa-Ibrahim said that the primary mission of the group was to push for the establishment of the Youth Development Commission.
He urged the lawmakers to reconsider the bill and present it for passage, emphasizing the importance of securing the future of youths in the state.
Responding, Mr Isimbabi expressed his commitment to advancing the bill, noting that it was handed over to him by the Speaker of the 7th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau.
He assured the advocacy group that the bill was already in progress and would soon be presented on the Assembly floor for its first reading.
“I am fully committed to presenting this bill, and hopefully by next week, it will pass the first reading,” he assured.
Isimbabi also stated that he was coordinating with the executive arm of government to ensure that the governor assents to the bill once passed, enabling the establishment of the Youth Development Commission for the overall development of the state.
He commended the group for their visit and reassured them of his dedication to ensuring the enactment of the bill. (NAN)