The much anticipated Annual Arewa Youth Leadership Summit took centre stage over the weekend in Abuja with the presence of high profile northern groups and political personalities. ‎Critical issues of northern and national interest were buttressed and x-rayed in the theme " The Role of Today's Northern Youth In Shaping Nigeria's Tomorrow" in an earlier discourse of the event before the evening of award recognition and presentations. 
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‎The one day summit was put together by cross section of northern groups like Shehu  Usman  Abubakar  Foundation  (SUAF),  Arewa Young  Leaders  Initiative  (AYLI),  Triumphant  Youth  Foundation  (TYF),  Muhammadu  Anchau Foundation  (MAF)  supported  by  Federal  Ministry  of  Youth  and  Sports  Development  Abuja. The programme basically  provided a platform  for  Northern  youth  to  undertake  a  holistic  approach  to harness  the  real  participatory  power  of  young  people  and  their  readiness  to  get  involve  in  the peace,  security  and  economic  development,  develop  strategies  and  collaborations  for  effective youth  engagement  in  rebuilding  the  northern  region  and  beyond.  The  summit was situated within  the  critical  need  for  a  coordinated,  timely,  strategic,  assertive  and  impactful  youth engagement  in  their  community development process.   

According to the convener Mr Yusuf "Working  towards  Sustainable  Development  Goals  in  the  northern  region  requires  a concerted,  deliberate  and  timely  effort  if  the  challenges  of  our  times  are  to  be  met.  Ensuring northern  region  is  able  to  sustain  economic  and  social  activities  and  most  importantly,  life,  is more  critical  now  than  ever  before.  The  security,  Education  and  social  challenges  in  the region  have  negatively  impacted  on  the  peace,  management  of  natural  and  human  resources and  sustainable  activities  built  over  many  decades,  devastating  communities  and  livelihoods, the  urgent  need  to  enhance  youth  capacity  and  participation  in  decision-making  is  more prominent"

He further stressed that the youth will  be  creating  the future of Northern region but currently they are  beset with challenges  such as  crime, drugs, unemployment,  political  tuggery,  insurgency,  HIVAIDS  in  the  region.  Many  youth  feel hopeless  and  vulnerable.  
‎The summit  provided  participants  with  an excellent  opportunity  to  meet  face  to  face  and  proffered   positive  recommendations for  Youth,  the  region and charted the way forward for  the coming decades.‎‎
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The following personalities were honoured at the event; Rt. Honourable Yakubu Dogara - Speaker House of Representatives‎, Senator Bukola Saraki -President of the Senate, Alh. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje OFR - Governor of Kano State,‎ Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello -Governor, Niger State‎ -Alhaji Kashim Shetima, 
Governor, Borno State, Amb. Hussaini H. Coomassie -National Coordinator, 
Fresh-Connect Initiative For Better Nigeria (FIN), ‎Mrs. Anne Abok - The International Director, 
Media Campaign Against Human Trafficking, 
South Africa, Dr. Olakunle Churchill‎ -Big Church Foundation, Barr. Zannah Bukar Mustapha - Founder, The Future Prowess Islamic Foundation,‎ Distinguished Sen. Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako - Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duty, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, OON- President, National Olympic Commission, Mr Felix King - Founder, Felix King Foundation,
‎Hon. Binta Bello - Deputy Minority Whip 
Representing Kaltungo/Shongom Fed. Constituancy National Assembly, Hon. Ikani Benjamin Okolo - Representing Dekina/Bassa Fed. Constituancy  National Assembly, Hon. Alhaji Mukhtar Ishaq Yakasai, Former Chairman, Kano Municipal Council Kano, ‎Hon. Silas Ali Agara - Deputy Governor, Nasarawa State, Hon. Hadiza Bala Usman - Managing Director, 
Nigeria Ports Authority, Hon. Rita Orji 
Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Isah Mohammed Kutigi, 
Chairman, House Committee on Youth, 
Niger State House of Assembly‎, Ms Fatima Habib - Founder/CEO, ‎Advocacy for Human Value Foundation

jkendy:
The only "way forward" is that which leads to Daura.
They should start organizing a welcome party for Bubu after 2019