The Emir of Gwandu, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammad Iliyasu-Bashar, has commended Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu for extending support to Traditional Rulers in the state.
A statement by the Emirate’s Secretary in Birnin Kebbi, Alhaji Shehu Lamin Kuwa said the Emir was highly elated by the recognition being accorded to the traditional rulers across the state.
The emir said: “As I am talking now, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera is in the United Kingdom attending a programme and the trip is sponsored by His Excellency.
“Presently, I am in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment and the state governor is instrumental to my medical trip.
“On behalf of all traditional rulers in the state, I want to thank His Excellency, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, for according the necessary respect and support to us, we are truly grateful to him.
“We pray to Almighty Allah to increase him in wisdom to lead the good people of Kebbi well and take the state to greater heights.”
He stated that the Emir of Argungu is in the UK to represent His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Saad Abubakar under Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development and a Senior Northern Traditional Leader.
On his part, the Emir of Argungu said: “His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto has agreed to our participation which is sequel to similar events on the subject we’ve hosted here in Nigeria under the leadership of the former Vice President Chief Yemi Osinbajo and in Dakar for the Sub Sahara Africa Edition in 2021 under AU patronage.
“The conference is important in that it will avail us the opportunity to convey our views and also learn from other experiences what needs to be done to ensure that the exploding population of young men and women in Africa benefits it instead of becoming its biggest liability and source of instability.”
He added that the programme is themed: “Towards Demographic Dividends in Africa: Action and Investments”.
According to him, it is a high-level roundtable, under Wilton Park Protocol, to identify how to leverage demographic trends as a driver of sustainable development and growth in sub-Saharan Africa.
“This exchange will focus on how to depoliticised evidence and analysis of demographic trends and projections can shape the identification of priorities and opportunities for transformative growth, job creation, and development.
“The conference will deliver a clear set of priorities and proposals for national, regional and international actors to build the foundations for a shared agenda on demography and human capital investment to harness the potential of sub-Saharan Africa’s youth and drive economic and sustainable development,” he said.
He listed some objectives of the programme to include; develop a shared understanding of key demographic trends, drivers of demographic transition, and their implications for SSA’s future growth, security, climate and human development.
Others, he said, were to identify how to stimulate demographic dividends-ensuring current and future workforce have necessary skills for increased productivity, citizens are empowered to make fully informed decisions about their career and family goals, and financial systems are in place to absorb and encourage Increased domestic savings that will drive further economic growth.
“Understand key challenges and opportunities, including positioning in light of new narratives and sensitivities on population, and how public policy and investment strategies will need to respond to these.
“And establish a collective, evidence-based, agenda for financing policies and investments that will drive inclusive demographic transitions. Given the current context of reduced access to international finance,” he noted.