Sultan: Youth Neglect Fuelling Insecurity, Drug Abuse

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has warned that continued neglect of young people could worsen crime, drug abuse and insecurity across Nigeria.

The Sultan stated this through his representative, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, at the launch of The Hustle Reality Show, tagged “Buge-Buge,” organised by Search for Common Ground in Sokoto.

He stressed that sustained investment in youth empowerment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and mentorship was critical to national peace and stability, noting that idle and frustrated youths were more susceptible to criminal activities and other social vices.

According to him, empowering young people is not only a moral obligation but a strategic investment in the country’s future.

“We must not leave any stone unturned. When youths are neglected, the consequences affect the entire society. But when they are meaningfully engaged, they become agents of peace, productivity and national development,” he said.

The Sultan further urged traditional institutions, government agencies and community leaders to take proactive steps in creating opportunities that would enable young people to become self-reliant and productive members of society.

“Training our youths to support themselves is one of the most effective ways of securing their future and strengthening the nation as a whole,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, described the initiative as timely and consistent with Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s nine-point agenda on youth empowerment.

He said the project had strong potential to enhance security, stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment in the state, stressing that youth empowerment remained a critical tool in tackling insecurity.

“This project is directly and indirectly impacting the lives and progress of our state, particularly in the areas of security, economic stability and youth development,” he said.

However, the deputy governor expressed concern over the limited number of beneficiaries from Sokoto State, noting that only 12 youths were selected despite the state’s population of about 1.8 million people.

He appealed to the organisers to expand the programme to accommodate more youths, saying broader participation would further promote peace and stability in the North-West.

Earlier, the Country Director, Lake Chad Basin for the project, Mr. Ouattara About Karno, said the initiative was designed to address the root causes of poverty, unemployment and social challenges in Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states.

He explained that selected participants would receive seed grants, mentorship and business development support to transform innovative ideas into viable enterprises.

Karno disclosed that 36 youths across the three states would benefit from the programme, adding that it would also help to change negative perceptions about young people in the North-West.

He commended the United Nations delegation to Nigeria and other development partners for their continued support and urged beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity to positively impact their communities.

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