Businessman, politician and development advocate, Abdulrahman Haske, has reaffirmed his belief in the capacity of young people to drive economic growth, social progress and political transformation in Adamawa State, the Northeast and Nigeria, provided they are given access to opportunities, skills and leadership platforms.
Mr Haske made the assertion while speaking as a guest lecturer at the Dinner Lecture organised to commemorate International Youth Day 2026 by the Office of the Adviser to the Adamawa State Governor on Youth Empowerment, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Government, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yola.
Speaking on the sub-theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” Haske noted that despite their differing realities, young people across Nigeria share common aspirations: quality education, decent jobs, security, dignity, entrepreneurship opportunities and meaningful participation in governance.
According to him, Nigeria’s youthful population remains one of its greatest assets, but unlocking its potential requires deliberate investment, particularly in regions facing developmental and security challenges.
Highlighting conditions in the Northeast, Mr Haske said conflict, poverty, displacement and limited economic opportunities continue to undermine youth development. He referenced data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) showing that about 2.8 million children across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States require education-in-emergencies support, while hundreds of schools remain closed and many classrooms have been damaged or destroyed by conflict and insecurity.
