By Muhammad Gazali Garba
Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, has commended the City Boy Movement for its efforts to empower Nigerian youths, promote their participation in governance and connect them with government programmes and opportunities across the six geopolitical zones.
The governor gave the commendation when he received the Patron and Initiator of the movement, Mr Seyi Tinubu, alongside its national leadership and the North-West Zonal Coordinator, Hon. Abdulazeez Abubakar Kaka, on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Sokoto.
Describing the initiative as timely, Governor Aliyu said young people must be adequately informed about government policies, programmes and opportunities to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He acknowledged the enthusiasm, commitment and determination of the Patron in providing leadership for young people, and recognised the importance of youth participation, engagement and mobilisation in strengthening the nation’s democratic process.
He stressed that youth empowerment must go beyond political mobilisation to include education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and access to opportunities capable of improving livelihoods.
The governor also underscored the need to create greater awareness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly government interventions designed to improve the economic and social well-being of young Nigerians.
As part of his support for the movement, Governor Aliyu announced the donation of official vehicles to its State Director, State Coordinator, State Woman Leader and coordinators in the 23 local government areas of Sokoto State.
He said the gesture was aimed at strengthening the movement’s operational capacity, facilitating grassroots mobilisation and enabling its leaders to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
Governor Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development and empowerment, and urged the movement’s leadership to strengthen its structures at the zonal, state and local government levels to ensure its objectives reach young people across the country.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, described the organisation as a platform established to inform, engage, empower and mobilise young Nigerians for active participation in governance and national development.
Shoga said the movement was conceived to create a stronger connection between young people and government by ensuring they are adequately informed about policies, programmes and opportunities available to them.
He said the initiative would enable young Nigerians to understand government policies, engage with relevant institutions and take advantage of programmes designed to improve their economic and social well-being.
The Director-General emphasised that young people have a critical role to play in shaping the country’s future, adding that their involvement in governance should extend beyond political participation to include constructive engagement, innovation, entrepreneurship and community development.
He urged youths across the country to embrace opportunities provided by government initiatives, acquire relevant skills and contribute their ideas and energy to national development.
Shoga further disclosed that the movement was working to establish effective structures across the six geopolitical zones, states and local government areas to ensure wider participation and effective grassroots mobilisation.
He said the organisation would continue to promote political awareness, civic responsibility and constructive engagement among young Nigerians, while encouraging them to support policies and programmes aimed at national progress.
The movement also expressed support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, setting a target of mobilising 20 million votes for his candidacy.
The Director-General called for sustained collaboration between the movement and state governments to expand its reach and ensure that young people at the grassroots benefit from its activities.
The visit was attended by prominent government officials and political stakeholders, including the Deputy Governor, Engr Idris Muhammad Gobir; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Sifawa; Chief of Staff, Alhaji Aminu Haliru Dikko; State APC Chairman, Alhaji Haruna S. Adiya; commissioners, special advisers, among others.VISIT, SOKOTO.
