Minna: Former Military President Ibrahim Babangida and former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar have emphasized the need for continued investment in youth empowerment as a vital strategy for national development. The call was made during the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Balarabe Umaru Audi Youth Centre (BUAY-C), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), held in Minna.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, which took place on Monday, brought together political leaders, technocrats, traditional title holders, and members of the Audi family to honor the first cohort of beneficiaries trained by the centre. Babangida, represented by Nurudeen Lemu, a member of the Board of Trustees, BUAY-C, highlighted the crucial role young people play in fostering economic growth, innovation, and national stability.
Babangida paid tribute to the late Balarabe Audi, describing him as an exceptional educationist, disciplined administrator, and philanthropist whose legacy of service continues to inspire. He noted that BUAY-C serves as a living testament to Audi’s dedication to empowerment and community development.
Abdulsalami expressed gratitude to the children and grandchildren of the late Audi for establishing the centre, which aims to equip young people with essential skills. He urged the graduates to be worthy representatives of the centre and to effectively utilize the starter packs they received, cautioning them against selling the items for less productive purposes.
Governor Umaru Bago of Niger, represented by his Deputy, Mr. Yakubu Garba, reiterated that youth empowerment is central to his administration’s New Niger Agenda. He commended BUAY-C for complementing government efforts by providing skills training and expanding opportunities for the youth.
Justice Fati Lami-Abubakar, Founder and Chairperson of BUAY-C, explained that the centre was established to honor the late Waziri of Minna, Alhaji Balarabe Audi, and to promote his values of integrity, discipline, and public service. She emphasized that the centre focuses on empowerment, dignity, and sustainability, with beneficiaries selected based on potential rather than charity.
Retired Col. Sani Bello, Chairman of the occasion, praised the founder for creating a centre dedicated to practical skills acquisition. He encouraged the beneficiaries to aim for excellence in their trades. Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello, former governor of Niger, highlighted the importance of vocational and technical training in addressing unemployment, urging graduates to leverage their skills for personal and community development.
Chief Executive Officer of BUAY-C, Daoda Kanneh, stated that the centre, registered on Nov. 11, 2024, aims to bridge gaps in youth development opportunities through its diverse programmes covering literacy, life skills, technical education, digital literacy, and job placement.