By Khalid Idris Doya
Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has commissioned the state-of-the-art Assufiy Humanitarian ICT Centre in Azare, Katagum local government area of Bauchi state.
The centre was funded and delivered by the 2027 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Hon. Usman Adamu Ahmed Sufi.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Sunday, Bukola Saraki, who described himself as a strong advocate of youth empowerment and education, commended Sufi for undertaking the project.
Represented by former the acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Saraki said the initiative demonstrated that meaningful development could be driven by individuals even before they assumed political office.
"Usman Adamu Sufi, coming up at this time with such a project can only be found in one party, and that party is the PDP. Somebody who is not yet in power has been able to come up with this project. You can imagine what he will do when he gets into power," Saraki said.
He urged youths in Azare and across Bauchi State to take full ownership of the facility by protecting it, using it effectively and continuously developing their skills.
Saraki charged beneficiaries to utilise the knowledge acquired at the centre to develop solutions capable of transforming Bauchi State and Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, the founder of the Assufiyya Humanitarian Foundation, Usman Adamu Ahmed Sufi, said the project was part of his commitment to promoting education, empowerment and sustainable community development.
He described the ICT and Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre as more than a physical structure, saying it represented hope, opportunity and a commitment to investing in the education and empowerment of the people.
According to him, the centre has a capacity of about 500 seats, with each workstation equipped with a brand-new laptop, Local Area Network (LAN) and other facilities required for CBT examinations.
He said the centre was designed to respond to the rapidly changing digital environment and improve the exposure of students within Azare and neighbouring communities.
"The future belongs to societies that embrace knowledge, innovation and technology. Our objective is to ensure that the young people of Azare, Bauchi State and beyond are not spectators in the digital revolution but active participants and future leaders," Sufi said.
He added that the facility would enable thousands of students to sit for computer-based examinations with confidence, while young men and women would have access to digital skills, professional certifications and emerging technology competencies to prepare them for careers and entrepreneurship.
Sufi said the project reflected the philosophy of the Assufiyya Humanitarian Foundation that service to humanity remained the highest form of leadership.
He noted that although governments had enormous responsibilities, sustainable development was better achieved when communities, philanthropists and institutions complemented government efforts.
He pledged to expand his interventions in education, healthcare, humanitarian assistance and youth development, while calling on governments, educational institutions, corporate organisations and development partners to support efforts aimed at creating opportunities for young people.
Also speaking, the national vhairman of the PDP, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, said ICT knowledge was no longer a luxury but an absolute necessity in the modern economy.
Represented by the deputy national chairman (North), Yusufu Akirikwen, SAN, the PDP chairman said skills in software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, digital marketing and artificial intelligence could enable young Nigerians to work remotely, secure global opportunities and earn sustainable incomes.
He said ICT would also provide young people with the tools to establish technology start-ups, expand businesses and become employers of labour rather than remain perpetual job seekers.
According to him, digital literacy had become a major prerequisite for career advancement in sectors including finance, agriculture, education and healthcare.
"This ICT Centre provides the foundational ladder our young people need to climb into the future. It is a factory for skills, an incubator for innovation, and a gateway to infinite opportunities," he said.
He added that technological adoption was central to societal development, noting that training thousands of youths in Katagum and across Bauchi State would stimulate local commerce, reduce unemployment and contribute to lifting families out of poverty.
He said technology could improve transparency, agricultural extension services, education and healthcare delivery across the state's local government areas.
The PDP chairman further noted that constructive engagement of young people through learning and technology would reduce idle time and help curb social vices.
He congratulated Sufi for executing what he described as a major developmental project, saying the initiative demonstrated that leadership was not only about holding political office or making promises but also about taking concrete actions that directly improve people's lives.
He said the project had demonstrated the priorities that a PDP administration under Sufi would promote, including youth empowerment, technological advancement and human capital development.
"We live in a world governed by the digital economy. The traditional pathways to employment and wealth creation are rapidly shifting. Today, a young man or woman sitting right here in Azare, armed with the right digital skills, internet connectivity and passion, can compete with peers in London, New York or Tokyo," he said.
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