By Aminu Harsanu Guyaba
In a bid to strengthen leadership capacity among young people, a non-governmental organization, Katagum Youth League (KYL), has organized a three-day Residential Leadership Retreat for selected youths from Bauchi State.
The retreat, held in Kano State, was conducted in collaboration with Ideas and Data Global Academy and aimed at equipping participants with practical leadership skills, promoting self-reliance, and encouraging patriotic values beyond academic qualifications.
Chairman of Ideas and Data Global Academy, Dr. Mustapha Shehu, said the initiative was designed to reshape the mindset of young people by guiding them towards community-driven solutions rather than waiting for government employment.
“It is disheartening that youth are often referred to as the leaders of tomorrow while struggling daily. This retreat is part of our long-term commitment to nurturing a generation of responsible leaders who can unlock opportunities around them,” he stated.
Dr. Shehu explained that participants were selected based on their positive engagement on social media, describing them as “good Samaritans.” He added that those who fell short of the criteria were given the opportunity to realign their mindset during the program.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of KYL, Comrade Jamilu Alhaji Mato, said the retreat aligns with the organization’s mission of building responsible and visionary youth across Katagum and the entire Bauchi State.
He expressed satisfaction with the participants’ level of engagement, noting that their enthusiasm exceeded expectations. “This experience gives me hope that Bauchi youth are ready to adopt a more proactive and positive mindset for personal and societal development,” he said.
Some of the participants, including Comrade Muhammad Dahiru (popularly known as M. Sambo) and Ayshatu Muhammad Nura, expressed appreciation to the organizers. They described the training as insightful and inspiring, pledging to put the knowledge gained into practice in their future endeavors.