The Speaker of the Gombe State Youth Parliament, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Danladi, has called on the state government to dedicate a section of the Gombe Museum, currently under construction, to documenting and preserving the history of the state’s creation and its founding heroes.
Danladi made the call during the GOMBE@30/Independence Youth Town Hall organised by the Gombe State Youth Parliament to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Gombe State and the 66th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.
The town hall, themed, “Honouring Our Past, Shaping Our Future: The Youth and the Next Chapter of Nigeria and Gombe,” brought together young people and stakeholders to reflect on the state’s history and discuss the role of youths in shaping its future.
Danladi said the proposed museum section would ensure that the contributions of individuals who fought for the creation of Gombe State were properly documented and preserved for future generations.
“Our history deserves more than occasional remembrance; it deserves a permanent place in our institutions and collective consciousness,” he said.
He noted that although some individuals and families who contributed to the struggle for the state’s creation could not be reached for the Gombe@30 Statehood Heroes Honour, their absence from the recognition did not diminish their place in history.
“Their absence from today’s recognition does not diminish their place in our history,” he said.
The Speaker described the creation of Gombe State in 1996 as a defining moment, adding that the 30th anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far and preserve the sacrifices of those who contributed to its establishment.
He, however, challenged young people to consider the legacy their generation would leave behind, urging them to move beyond demands for leadership positions to actively participating in governance and community development.
“As young people, we cannot afford to be content with being the leaders of tomorrow while remaining absent from the responsibilities of today,” Danladi said.
He urged youths to build their capacities, create opportunities, promote peace and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
“We must move beyond complaints to solutions, beyond ambition to action, and beyond waiting for opportunities to preparing ourselves to create them,” he added.
Danladi stressed that young people should not allow their age to become a barrier to participation in public life or an excuse for inaction.
He called on youths to challenge the status quo constructively, take responsibility and work towards building the kind of society they desire.
The Speaker also encouraged participants at the town hall to engage actively in discussions, speak up on issues affecting them and propose practical solutions to the challenges facing Gombe State.
Addressing government officials and other stakeholders, he called for stronger partnerships to expand opportunities for young people to contribute to governance and development.
As Gombe marks its 30th anniversary, Danladi urged residents, particularly young people, to begin planning for the state’s future at 50.
“The question is not simply what we want our state to become, but what each of us is prepared to do to make that vision possible,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to individuals and organisations that supported the initiative, reaffirming the Youth Parliament’s commitment to promoting youth participation, historical preservation and development in the state.