The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Jigawa State, Alhaji Mustapha Sule Lamido (Santurakin Dutse), has challenged Nigerian youths to take ownership of their future and transform their enormous potential into a driving force for national development.
Lamido spoke as a special guest at the International Youth Day event organised by the Office of the PDP National Youth Leader at the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
The gathering brought together young members of the party and other stakeholders to celebrate the contributions of youths while reflecting on their place in Nigeria’s political and socioeconomic future.
Lamido said Nigeria’s large youth population should not be viewed merely as a demographic statistic but as a strategic national asset capable of reshaping the country’s economy and strengthening its democracy.
“Our teeming youths represent a huge human capital asset for Nigeria which can be harnessed for our present and future development,” he said.
The Jigawa governorship hopeful urged young Nigerians to reject passivity and deliberately invest in themselves through education, skills acquisition, innovation and enterprise.
He said the country’s future would depend largely on how effectively it develops and deploys the abilities of its young population.
Lamido commended the PDP National Youth Leader and the party leadership for organising the event, describing it as an important platform for recognising the central role of young people in national affairs.
He urged youths to combine individual ambition with collective responsibility, stressing that personal success becomes more meaningful when it contributes to the progress of society.
According to him, young Nigerians must continue to make conscious efforts to realise their potential and use their talents to solve problems within their communities and contribute to the development of the country.
The PDP candidate also encouraged greater youth participation in politics and governance, saying young Nigerians should aspire not only to influence political decisions but also to occupy positions where they can directly shape policies and programmes.
He maintained that empowering youths was inseparable from building a prosperous and stable Nigeria, particularly at a time when the country is confronting economic pressures, unemployment and a widening demand for opportunities among its youthful population.
Lamido’s participation in the Abuja event is expected to reinforce his campaign emphasis on human-capital development and youth inclusion as the political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections.
He expressed confidence that Nigerian youths, if given the right opportunities and support, could become the principal architects of the country’s economic transformation.
The event ended with renewed calls for young Nigerians to develop their talents, pursue their aspirations and deploy their abilities towards building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.