Bagos urges Plateau youths to take ownership of leadership, demand accountability

By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –

Former lawmaker Dachung Musa Bagos has called on youths of Plateau North to take ownership of political positions as a way to demand accountability and shape the future of leadership in the state.

Bagos, who represented Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, gave the charge on Friday in Jos during the maiden edition of the Plateau Northern Zone Youth Summit, themed “Equipping the Next Generation, Transforming Tomorrow.”

“The time has come for us—you, the youths of Plateau North—to rise and take up leadership. Until you own a position, you can’t demand accountability. You won’t know the level of transparency the office requires,” Bagos said.

He explained that the summit was an opportunity for young people to set the agenda for 2027 and beyond. “This is where we discuss the future of Plateau Northern youths. Not just to discuss, but to articulate concrete issues that will inform our agenda. We don’t want to go to the streets making empty campaign promises anymore. These are the issues the youths themselves are saying should drive the campaign,” he stated.

According to him, feedback from the engagement showed that young people were more concerned about insecurity, economic empowerment, and legislative issues than politicians often assumed. “They’re not just looking for promises, they care about deep-rooted issues like insecurity, their future, and legislative matters. These youths are concerned about Nigeria. So for me, this summit is a wake-up call. It’s the youths saying: we own this process,” Bagos added.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Plateau Youth Council (PYC), Panan Dapar, cautioned young people against political intolerance, urging them to put the state above partisan rivalry.

“If you belong to Party A, carry out your responsibilities with decorum. Do not attack those in Party B. What we should be talking about is not PDP or APC but Plateau State,” Dapar said, warning that divisive youth actions often heighten tension and derail peace efforts.

Also speaking, Stephen Akuba, who chaired the occasion, applauded Bagos’ mentorship initiative, describing him as an example worth emulating for both present and future generations.

The summit brought together youth representatives, community leaders, and political stakeholders from across the senatorial district, highlighting the growing role of youths in political discourse and governance.