By Our Correspondent

As part of its commitment to youth empowerment and digital capacity building, the Professor Isa Pantami Foundation (PIP Foundation) has graduated 250 citizens from across the 11 local government areas of Gombe State under Batch Three of its free vocational and digital skills training program.

The graduation ceremony, held on Monday, 6th October 2025, at the Al-Waalidayn Charitable Foundation Headquarters in Pantami, Gombe, marked another milestone in the Foundation’s effort to equip young Nigerians with practical, income-generating skills in smartphone repair, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and mentorship.

In his remarks, the Founder of the Foundation and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, CON (Majidadin Daular Usmaniyya), said the initiative aims to produce self-reliant and job-creating youths who can contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.

> “The training is entirely free and fully sponsored by the Foundation. Our target is to train 10,000 youths and women across Nigeria, starting from Gombe State. The goal is to empower our people with relevant digital and technical skills so that they can become employers of labor, not job seekers,” Pantami said.

He disclosed that all participants received start-up toolkits and certificates to enable them to immediately begin practicing what they learned and establish their small businesses.

The Foundation, according to Pantami, selects beneficiaries on merit through an online application portal, ensuring transparency and equal opportunity for all interested applicants. He further revealed that the program is ongoing and will soon be extended to other states, with Bauchi State likely to host the next phase.

The event attracted several dignitaries, including Professor Yusuf Muhammad Abdullahi, Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; Professor Muhammad Bello Abubakar, former Director-General of Galaxy Backbone; Alhaji Abubakar Walama; and the District Head of Pantami, among others, who commended Pantami for his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment.

The Professor Isa Pantami Foundation has consistently been at the forefront of promoting digital literacy and entrepreneurship. While serving as Minister, Pantami spearheaded the establishment of ICT Centres, Digital Hubs, and Skills Acquisition Programmes across Nigeria, with Gombe State benefiting immensely — hosting more than 300 ICT centres in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.

Pantami’s advocacy for “Skills Rather Than Just Degrees”, also the title of his widely recognized book, continues to shape his post-ministerial engagements and inspire a new generation of young Nigerians toward innovation, productivity, and self-reliance.

Observers described the graduation as a celebration of visionary leadership and community-driven development, hailing Pantami as a “man of principle and action” whose initiatives continue to transform the lives of many from zeros to heroes.

By Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan

Youth O’clock Nigeria, Gombe State Chapter, in collaboration with the Maisheru and Munsal Foundations, has convened a high-level stakeholder engagement aimed at promoting peacebuilding, youth empowerment, and conflict resolution in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The engagement, which held at the College of Education Billiri, brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth groups, security agencies, and civil society organizations to discuss sustainable strategies for ending local conflicts and empowering young people.

With the theme: “Building a Peaceful and Prosperous Billiri: Strategies for Addressing Drug Abuse and the Farmer-Herder Conflict,” the event featured a panel discussion that highlighted the root causes of communal unrest and substance abuse among youths.

Panelists included Malam Ibrahim Kanku from the Gombe State Ministry of Internal Security, Hajiya Zariyatu Hashidu of the Wildan Foundation, Robecca Kwayama of the Gombe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and Zainab Abdu Jibir of Youth O’clock Nigeria.

They emphasized the need for job creation, vocational training, and social inclusion as effective tools for addressing youth restiveness and building community resilience.

Speaking, the State Coordinator of Youth O’clock Nigeria, Comrade Abdulazeez Sani Labaran, described the engagement as a grassroots-driven solution to the growing threats of drug abuse, violent clashes, and youth marginalization.

He said the initiative was designed not only to raise awareness but also to foster collaboration among critical stakeholders in finding lasting peace in Gombe State and Nigeria in general.

According to him, until the government and communities begin to invest in the potential of young people through education, mentorship, and economic opportunities, insecurity will remain a persistent challenge.

Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University, Professor Sani Ahmad Yauta, commended the initiative, describing it as timely and crucial for promoting harmony and sustainable development in the area and beyond.

He stressed the importance of collective efforts in raising awareness on the dangers of drug abuse, while calling for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.

Also speaking, representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) delivered sensitization talks on the health and social risks associated with substance abuse, urging community stakeholders to remain vigilant and supportive of rehabilitation efforts.

The Billiri chapter of Miyetti Allah pledged to uphold peace during this year’s rainy season, assuring the community of its commitment to nonviolence and dialogue.

In a message of support, the Gombe State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Colonel Abdullahi Bello (Rtd), through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hassan Abubakar, reaffirmed the government’s readiness to partner with civil society in strengthening local peace structures.

In her remarks, Hajiya Zariyatu Hashidu urged young people to be proactive, self-reliant, and committed to community growth, calling for sustained advocacy on youth empowerment and inclusive development in Billiri, Gombe State, and across the Country.

The event is part of ongoing grassroots efforts by the Youth O’clock Nigeria to foster unity, reduce insecurity, and promote a future where young people are seen not as threats, but as agents of peace and progress.

By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe

The HANS (Hold A Needy and Support) Centre for Social Justice and Development has unveiled a three-month mentorship programme aimed at empowering 120 schoolgirls across Gombe State to foster self-reliance and professional growth.

As part of the activities commemorating the 2025 International Women’s Day, the programme was launched during a grand ceremony at the Linmana Event Centre, Tunfure, Gombe.

The initiative pairs the participants with accomplished female professionals, including doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and senior military officers.

Through workshops, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, the programme aims to inspire the girls to pursue impactful careers, become innovators, and drive positive change in society.

Participants were grouped and mentored by prominent women, including commissioners, local government chairpersons, professors, senior healthcare practitioners, women activists, and officers from the Nigeria Police Force and NSCDC. These mentors shared their experiences and provided guidance to the girls, empowering them to navigate professional paths successfully.

Barrister Hannatu Dauda Simon, Founder and Chairperson of the HANS Centre Board of Trustees, shared the vision behind the initiative during the event.

“Our goal is to increase the number of young women pursuing professional careers, enhance economic independence among women, and establish a sustainable network of mentors and mentees,” she stated.

Hannatu explained her inspiration for the project, saying, “As a lawyer, I’ve encountered numerous cases of gender-based violence physical, sexual, and economic stemming from a lack of education and empowerment. This initiative seeks to address these issues by equipping young girls with knowledge and skills.”

She added that the mentorship programme will encourage the girls to stay in school, choose career paths that benefit their communities, and become independent contributors to society.

“We are creating a support system for these girls. They are now official beneficiaries of this NGO, and mentors will be assigned to guide them and monitor their progress,” she emphasized.

The 120 participants include representatives from each of Gombe State’s 114 political wards, along with additional nominees from schools within Gombe metropolis and the NGO’s Board of Trustees.

This mentorship programme is a major stride toward addressing gender disparities in education and career opportunities, setting a foundation for a brighter and more inclusive future for young women in Gombe State.