By Mark Pam, Jos

The Plateau State Ministry For Youth and Sports Development, in conjunction with the Plateau Youth Council (PYC), has marked the 2026 International Youth Day, held at Crispan Hotel, Rayfield, Jos.

Declaring the event open, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Musa Ibrahim Ashoms  who stood in for the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang congratulated the youth on the occasion of the International Youth Day.

Ashoms commended the youth for their support for government since the inception of the Mutfwang administration, describing the youth as the most important demography as far as Plateau State is concerned.

He assured the youth of government’s readiness to provide the youth with platforms that will help them to showcase their talents, disclosing that at the moment, government has sponsored over one hundred youths studying in America and India. He added that scholarship funds have been raised by two hundred per cent.

Ashoms also stated that in order to encourage youth participation in sports and to also attract the hosting of international matches, the Jos Township Stadium is currently undergoing remodeling, which will also increase its four thousand capacity to twelve thousand five hundred capacity.

The commissioner revealed that very soon, the state will play host to the super six competition of the Nigerian Professional Football League and enjoined the youth to turn up en-masse and have a glimpse of the event.

Speaking further, Ashoms revealed that, in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, the Plateau State Government is going to provide a counterpart fund of two billion naira while the Bank of Industry will also contribute two billion naira for youth empowerment programmes. He admonished the youth to take advantage of the opportunities that the funds would be used to create.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the chairman, Plateau Youth Council (PYC), Gongden Panan, noted that the International Youth day is more than a celebration, saying that it is a reminder that the strength, potentials, ideas, energy and determination of young people are prerequisites and catalysts for the development of Plateau, Nigeria and indeed the world.

Panan  stated that the theme of this year’s event, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”, speaks profoundly to the Plateau experience which he said is home to diverse ethnic, religious and cultural communities. He asserted, however, that beneath these differences lie shared aspirations among the youths.

He urged the government, development partners, the private sector, the civil society and other  stakeholders to deepen investment in youth employment, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and empowerment. He called on the youth to equally position themselves for emerging opportunities by acquiring relevant digital and technological skills.

Keynote speakers at the event included Dr. Vivian Wuyep a scholar and seasoned legal practitioner from the Faculty of Law, University of Jos and Dr. Fabong Jamcheng, former PYC chairman and former Director General, PLASCHEMA. Goodwill messages were also delivered by the representative of the Director-General, PLASMIDA, Jennifer Turrai and the representative of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Lamir Umar.