Over 250 Young Benue Professionals Convene to Shape State’s Development Agenda
By Prosper Okoye
More than 250 young professionals, youth leaders and representatives of youth organisations gathered in Benue State for activities marking International Youth Day, calling for stronger youth participation in economic development, governance, peacebuilding and other areas critical to the state’s future.
The Benue Chapter of the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association of Nigeria (USGEAAN) led a coalition of more than 30 youth-led organisations and other stakeholders in organising the activities under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
The programme commenced with a solidarity walk on August 12 in Makurdi, the state capital. Participants marched from the High Level Underpass towards the Benue State Government House, using the occasion to raise awareness about the importance of youth participation in governance, peace, social inclusion and sustainable development.
According to the organisers, the walk was designed not only as a symbolic demonstration of solidarity but also as a platform to amplify the voices and aspirations of young people across Benue State.
The activities culminated in a youth dialogue on August 15 at the Centre for Food Technology Research (CEFTER), Makurdi. The dialogue brought together young people and representatives of government, the private sector, technology, peacebuilding, investment and community development to deliberate on issues affecting young people and explore opportunities for meaningful youth engagement.
The Benue State Statistician-General, Kumafan Dzaan, delivered the keynote address on preparing young people for the global stage. He urged participants to take ownership of their aspirations and actively contribute to shaping the future they desire.
“Globalisation is a standard, not a location,” Dzaan said, according to the organisers, emphasising the need for young people to develop the skills, confidence and outlook required to compete and contribute beyond geographical boundaries.
The dialogue featured two panel discussions, with the first focusing on setting a youth development agenda for Benue State and the second examining ways young people could identify and take advantage of opportunities on the global stage.
Participants subsequently engaged in breakout sessions covering five major areas: economic prosperity and decent jobs; education, skills and innovation; agriculture and sustainable livelihoods; leadership, governance and social inclusion; and peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
The sessions provided participants with opportunities to identify challenges confronting young people, share practical experiences and propose solutions while examining the respective roles of government, institutions, the private sector, civil society and youth-led organisations in advancing youth development.
A major outcome of the dialogue was the adoption of the Benue Youth Charter, also known as “The Benue Dream.” The organisers said the charter would consolidate the priorities, aspirations and recommendations emerging from the engagement and provide a framework for sustained advocacy, policy dialogue and youth-led action on development issues in Benue State.
The charter is also expected to strengthen collaboration among youth organisations and other stakeholders by providing a common platform through which young people can articulate their needs and engage policymakers and institutions on issues that directly affect their lives and prospects.
The USGEAAN Benue Chapter, led by Dr. Terese Shadrach Akpem, expressed appreciation to the participating organisations, partners, volunteers, facilitators, rapporteurs and media teams whose contributions helped make the programme possible.
The organisers said the gathering was intended to move the conversation beyond a one-day celebration by creating a foundation for sustained engagement, collaboration and action around the priorities identified by young people.
They stressed that the success of youth development efforts in Benue would depend on continued collaboration among young people, government, businesses, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to translate youth aspirations into concrete opportunities, inclusive policies and measurable development outcomes.
