BY Samaila Bayo, Birnin kebbi
The Kebbi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has said its skill acquisition and sensitization campaign initiatives has reduced unemployment, drug abuse, political thuggery, and other social vices among Kebbi youths.
Speaking during the Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ultra-Modern Secretariat Complex in Birnin Kebbi, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Nura Bala Fingilla, while outlining the achievements recorded in youth empowerment, sports development, and talent discovery across the state said many of the youths are now doing many right things to become a better persons for themselves, families and the state.
“I am proud to inform you that Kebbi State has recorded major breakthroughs in sports and youth empowerment under the Kauran Gwandu-led administration within the last three years,” he stated.
According to him, Kebbi State has witnessed unprecedented progress in football development under Governor Nasir Idris, with Kebbi United Football Club maintaining its place in the Nigeria National League and reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 Presidential Cup for the first time in the history of the old Sokoto State.
He disclosed that the state government currently sponsors 11 football clubs across different league divisions, thereby creating employment opportunities and providing platforms for young talents to excel. He added that over 15 indigenous players of Kebbi United now earn regular monthly salaries through the club.
The Commissioner further stated that Kebbi State had excelled in several sporting competitions, including volleyball, basketball, badminton, taekwondo, cricket, scrabble, chess, beach soccer, and traditional sports, with athletes winning medals at both national and international events. He added that Kebbi Fishers Beach Soccer Club is presently ranked among the best clubs in Africa.
Alhaji Nura Bala Fingilla also highlighted key infrastructural projects executed by the present administration, including the successful completion of the FIFA Goal Project in Birnin Kebbi and massive improvements at the NYSC Orientation Camps in Dakingari and Bagudo through the construction and renovation of hostels, clinics, mosques, toilets, boreholes, and the installation of solar power facilities.
He revealed that the Ministry had distributed sports equipment to associations across the 225 wards of the state and commenced groundwork for the establishment of four skill acquisition centres in the Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru Emirates to train unemployed youths in vocational and entrepreneurial skills.
The Commissioner noted that the Ministry had also established the State Youth Council, implemented the State Youth Policy, and created the State Youth Parliament as part of deliberate efforts by Governor Nasir Idris to ensure active youth participation in governance and leadership development.
He commended Governor Nasir Idris for his unwavering commitment to youth and sports development, noting that the administration’s support had greatly contributed to Kebbi State’s outstanding performance at the National Sports Festival, where the state emerged 5th nationally and 2nd in Northern Nigeria with an impressive medal haul.
