UNEMPLOYMENT, DRUG ABUSE THREATEN NORTH-EAST YOUTHS..... BACAS Alumnus

By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)

An alumnus of the Bauchi College of Arts and Science (BACAS), Mr Daniel Musa Mohammed, MNI, has warned that unemployment, poverty and drug abuse are exposing millions of youths in the North-East to serious social risks.

Mohammed gave the warning during the Grand Convention and Golden Jubilee Celebration of the BACAS Old Students Association held at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

He said the North-East had an estimated 11.3 million youths aged 15 to 35, describing the figure as both an opportunity for development and a potential source of instability if the population remained without jobs and productive engagement.

He said limited access to education and economic opportunities had heightened the vulnerability of young people to violence, gangsterism, crime and substance abuse.

Mohammed expressed particular concern over the reported increase in drug abuse among women, including married and unmarried women.

He said addressing the problem required coordinated interventions in education, employment, skills acquisition and economic empowerment.

The BACAS alumnus identified agriculture, irrigation, solid minerals, ICT, solar energy, entertainment, tourism and other sectors as areas where young people could be productively engaged.

He urged BACAS alumni and other stakeholders to establish practical programmes aimed at reducing unemployment and supporting vulnerable youths across the region. NNL