The Plateau State Youth Council Parliament held its historic inaugural sitting on Monday, marking a new era of youth inclusion and legislative engagement in the state. Speaker Rt. Hon. Amos Aseno set a visionary tone in his opening address, calling on members to rise as champions of transformative change.
In his welcoming remarks, Speaker Aseno said, “My colleagues, it gives me profound gratitude and deep sense of purpose to welcome each and every one of you to this historic inaugural sitting of the Plateau Youth Council Parliament Central Working Committee. We gather not only as representatives of our constituencies, but as torchbearers of a renewed vision for Plateau.”
He praised the commitment of the principal officers for their dedication to state-first ideals and commended the full participation of members in a recent retreat, which he described as a “collective awakening.” According to Aseno, “It was a moment that reminded us of the urgent need for a youth-led movement driven by integrity, intelligence, and innovation.”
He further extended appreciation to the Executive Chairman and leadership of Jos South Local Government Area for making the legislative chamber available, calling it “a symbolic gesture of inclusion and a reaffirmation that the future of governance must involve young people.”
Speaker Aseno emphasized the enormous challenges confronting youths today—rising insecurity, unemployment, drug abuse, and alienation—and urged the parliament to rise as agents of transformation. “We must initiate and support bills and motions that directly speak to economic empowerment, educational reform, security collaboration, and youth entrepreneurship. The time for empty promises is over,” he said.
He also called on youths to embrace responsible dialogue and social media usage, rejecting ethnic profiling and divisive narratives that further isolate the state. “Let us project Plateau positively. Let us tell stories of resilience and resourcefulness to attract investment and opportunities,” he added.
In a strong show of purpose, the inaugural sitting immediately addressed one of the most pressing issues in Plateau—security.
Hon. Goewam Ladat Joseph, representing Quan’pan, moved the first motion on the floor, focusing on the security situation across the state. “It has become a known challenge to all well-meaning Plateau citizens. I’m grateful that the Speaker prioritized this motion due to its urgency,” he said.
The motion, categorized as one of urgent public importance, called for increased security presence and support for local security outfits like vigilantes and Operation Rainbow.
Joseph stressed that insecurity has direct consequences on the farming season. “It is only he who is secure that can go to his farm. Our people are living in fear due to kidnappings. Without security, economic development is impossible,” he noted.
He urged the state government, in collaboration with federal authorities, to ramp up efforts in securing local communities to ensure a fruitful farming season and broader economic stability.
Also speaking, Mahwash Dakol James, PYC Chairman of Bokkos LGA and CWC member, moved a motion drawing attention to repeated attacks in his local government. “This is a cry from our people. I’ve attended over ten security meetings this year alone. I even submitted a petition to the DIG of Police more than a month ago. Yet, nothing has been done,” he lamented.
He warned that the patience of the youth is wearing thin, stating that the community has consistently restrained from retaliatory actions, hoping for government intervention. “We are still calling on the government to act fast,” he added.
Mahwash clarified that the conflict in Bokkos is not religious, but stems from land disputes involving settlers and indigenous communities. “They are attempting to forcefully take over our ancestral lands. Our traditions are at risk, and even the cultural objectives of the Plateau Youth Council are being threatened,” he said.
He called for the immediate halt of what he described as an encroachment, stating that while freedom of movement is a right, it must not infringe on local peace. “For now, we don’t have peace in Bokkos, and freedom of movement should be restricted in that context,” he emphasized.
In his response, Speaker Rt. Hon. Amos Aseno underscored the importance of the motions raised, particularly on security, which he said has generated widespread concern among the youth and across the Plateau citizenry.
He affirmed the parliament’s readiness to address pressing issues affecting the state and reiterated the council’s commitment to serving as a proactive legislative arm for Plateau youth.
“Let our legacy be one of impact, not just presence,” Aseno concluded.
