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Nigeria has a robust youth environment and increasing youth population. It has one of the most youthful populations in the world. The 2008 declaration by the African Union General Assembly affirming 2009 to 2019 \u201cAFRICAN DECADE FOR YOUTH\u201d <\/b>is in recognition of youth identity and politics as a global driving force for social transformation. This was in a bid to increase interest in youth participation and development. However, there is still no clear understanding of what to do with them, how to engage them and the role they can play in Development.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is with this is in mind and consequent upon the strategic roles the youths can play in National Development using sports that the Bamanga Tukur led Peoples Democratic Party through the National Youth Leader, Abdullahi H. MaiBasira initiated and will today begin the national-wide ceremonial kick-off of the 1st<\/sup> PDP National Youth Football Championship at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Kaduna State.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This football championship which is one in a series across the states, FCT and the Six (6) Geopolitical Zones is promoted in order to engage the energies of the young members of the Party between ages 18 \u2013 25, deepen unity among the youth, build bridges of friendship and provide a forum for young people to interact.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A former coach of the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu, who is the Initiator\/Technical coordinator of the\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>championship, is bringing his wealth of experience to ensure a successful tournament. It is note worthy that the choice of Kaduna as the venue for the ceremonial kick-off is because of the Governor, His Excellency, Alh. Ramalan Yero\u2019s Passion for sports and given its strategic gateway to the Northern part of the country.\u00a0 <\/span>Akwa-Ibom State is drawn with Kaduna for the kick-off\/opening ceremony We hope at the end of this tournament next year, not only Gold, Silver and Bronze trophy would have been won, but Nigerians will come to understand that one of the greatest legacies of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is the transformation it has brought to our sports and football in particular.\u00a0 <\/span>Expected to grace today\u2019s event is His Excellency President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Vice President, Arch. Mohammed .N. Sambo, the Party\u2019s Chairman, BOT Chairman, PDP Governors, Party faithfuls and other dignitaries.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This commentary was written by:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Musa A. Suleiman, Technical Assistant to the National Youth Leader PDP.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nigeria has a robust youth environment and increasing youth population. It has one of the most youthful populations in the world. The 2008 declaration by the African Union General Assembly…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20618,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n