Former Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, expressed profound disappointment in his generation’s leadership during the First Bauchi Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Youth Summit 2024. Speaking to a diverse audience on Tuesday, he called on Nigerian youths to actively engage in reshaping the country’s future.
“My generation has failed. My generation appears not to have the answers anymore,” Abubakar lamented. He emphasized the critical role of young people in salvaging Nigeria, suggesting that they possess the potential to foster meaningful change.
The ex-governor reflected on the cyclical failures of leadership, stating, “Allah loves Nigeria. That is why every chance he gives to my generation, we take Nigeria to the precipice, and Allah will bring it back.” He likened the repeated mistakes of his generation to “doing one thing the same way and expecting a different result,” a notion he described as the “definition of madness.”
Abubakar shared insights from his tenure, revealing that he purposefully included youths in his executive council. “I deliberately populated my executive council with the youth,” he noted. “I did not pick and choose the sons or daughters of the big shots. I picked youth for their abilities to perform.”
He underscored the importance of preparing young leaders for future roles, cautioning against neglecting their development. “If we do not train them today, we can imagine what is going to happen when the time comes for us to leave the stage,” he warned. “We will have people who are not ready for the leadership roles ahead of them.”
In his call to action, Abubakar urged the youths to embrace the challenge of transforming Nigeria’s narrative. He stressed the necessity of proactive engagement in leadership rather than passive criticism of the current system.
The summit also featured remarks from the Bauchi State Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Salis Gamawa. He encouraged young people to seek innovative opportunities rather than relying on traditional white-collar jobs. “The system has changed, and the youths also have to change their ways of thinking,” Gamawa asserted.
He criticized the trend among some youths of merely opposing governmental initiatives, suggesting they need to focus on self-improvement and personal leadership. “Life is a project and the best thing you can do to yourself is to project a better image of yourself,” he stated.
Gamawa clarified that leadership is not confined to high-ranking positions. “To mean a leader is not about the executive governor. It is not about the commissioner. It is about yourself,” he explained. His message reinforced the idea that personal leadership precedes broader leadership roles.
The summit drew a significant turnout, with numerous youths and women in attendance, including students from secondary and tertiary institutions. The event served as a platform for dialogue on the responsibilities of the younger generation in Nigeria’s development.
