Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has urged Nigerians to embrace unity, civic responsibility and youth empowerment as tools for strengthening national security and development.
The governor made the call on Monday at the 65th Independence Anniversary Lecture in Kano on Monday.
The lecture, with the theme ” Strengthening National Security Through Unity and Development”, was organised by the state’s Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs.
Yusuf, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Suleiman Wali-Sani, said Nigeria at 65 should serve as a reminder that nation building requires the collective effort of both leaders and citizens.
“Security is not just the absence of crime but the presence of justice, opportunity, and unity. All hands must indeed be on deck” he said.
The governor commended presentations delivered at the event, which addressed issues of community-based security, youth development, civic participation, and drug rehabilitation.
According to him, the Safe Corridor Initiative demonstrated that rehabilitating and reintegrating youths engaged in crime and drug abuse can transform despair into hope.
He added that democracy thrives only when citizens actively participate in elections by exercising their voting rights.
“Youths are the greatest wealth of this nation. If properly guided, they will unite Nigeria more strongly than any constitution or law can,” Yusuf said.
The governor pledged that his administration would continue to invest in education, youth empowerment and civic engagement to sustain peace and development in the State.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, said the government was committed to youth rehabilitation, skills development and policies aimed at reducing drug abuse and crime.
He explained that under the Safe Corridor initiative, the state government identifies and profiles leaders of violent youth groups.
“It builds a database of school dropouts and vulnerable youth and provides them with counselling, mentorship and skills acquisition training.
“Many beneficiaries have reportedly returned to school or taken up small-scale businesses after rehabilitation,” Abdullahi-Waiya said.
Highlights of the event included paper presentations by elder statesman Alhaji Gidado Mukhtar, Prof. Haruna Babangida and INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Amb. Abdu Zango.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Army Day Secondary School, Bukavu Barracks, presented an award to Yusuf for his contributions to educational development in Kano.
NAN also reports that the event was attended by representatives of the Emir of Kano, other traditional rulers, civil society organisations, parents and students.