Youths in Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State (LGA) have challenged political leaders, including the council chairman, state and federal lawmakers, to prioritize the completion of the Warji General Hospital and resolve the chronic electricity crisis plaguing the area.
WikkiTimes reports that despite getting N3.84 billion as its federal allocations in two years, Warji is the only LGA in the State without electricity for two years now. It is also the only local government without a functional General Hospital among the 20 LGAs in the state.
The youths from across the 13 political wards of the local government gave the challenge as part of the resolutions at the Maiden Warji Youths Summit, held recently to address underdevelopment and galvanize community progress.
They lamented that the political elite have been taking the people for granted for too long, hence it is high time they began holding the leaders accountable.
The summit, the first youth-led conference in Warji’s history, culminated in a unified appeal for urgent action on repairing electricity as residents decried two years of total blackout, describing it a barrier to economic growth and education.
The youths also decried abandoning of the unfinished Warji General Hospital, stalled for years, which was flagged as critical to improving healthcare access.
“We can no longer tolerate excuses. Our leaders must act now,” declared participants in a communiqué.
Dr. Ammar Mohammed Nasir, a prominent Islamic scholar and an associate professor from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), urged youths to leverage social media for social good. “Platforms like Twitter and Facebook should amplify our unity, not division. Use them to hold leaders accountable and champion peace.”
In his contribution, Alhaji Shehu Adamu Gilas, from the Bauchi State Ministry of Finance, praised the summit’s timing “This gathering bridges gaps between generations. We stand ready to support initiatives that address electricity, healthcare, and unemployment.”
In his earlier remarks, Malam Miqdad Sabo, Chairman of the Planning Committee, outlined the summit’s mission “Our goal is to identify problems with the youth, not for them. Today marks the start of sustained advocacy.”
The summit featured expert-led sessions by Malam Aminu Adamu Naganye, Editor, WikkiTimes, who stressed responsible social media use to drive civic engagement and hold leaders accountable, Malam Aminu Lassi from SAZU detailed Warji’s infrastructural deficits, citing perennial challenges of electricity and how the absence of a general hospital affects healthcare access stifle development in the area.
Other notable speakers include Malam Shamsudden Mohammed Dilli from Aminu Saleh College of Education (ASCOE) Azare, who called for education reforms to curb dropout rates, and Malam Rilwanu Mohammed from ASCOE, who advocated entrepreneurship training to reduce youth unemployment and restiveness.
Attendees expressed optimism that “For once, our voices are being heard,” said Malam Musa, a local trader.
The youths vowed to remain on their toes until the leaders fix their light and complete construction of the hospital.
Political Leaders Remain Mute
Despite having numerous political leaders across the three tiers of government, Warji remains without the essentials needed to develop in the modern era.
WikkiTimes’ efforts to speak with Hon. Aminu Barmini, the executive chairman, Warji LGA, proved abortive as he neither picks up calls nor replies to messages sent to his phone number.
Aside from the chairman, Warji has Hon. Garba Lawan as the lawmaker representing it at the Bauchi State House of Assembly. He could not be reached for comment on the issue at the time of the press.
Similarly, a member representing Ningi/Warji federal constituency, Hon. Adamu Hashimu Ranga promised to work on the light and the hospital but for two years is yet to show any commitment.
In the senate, Abdul Ahmed Ningi, whose Bauchi Central district includes Warji LGA, has not responded to inquiries about the efforts he is putting in place to address the problems.
Warji LGA
Warji LGA, like many rural regions in Northern Nigeria, faces systemic neglect. With most of its population young people, youth-led initiatives signal a shift toward grassroots-driven development. The electricity and hospital projects, if prioritized, could transform livelihoods in a region reliant on subsistence farming and small-scale trade.
