INTERVIEW WITH MR. PHILEMON TAMBAYA

Mr. Philemon Tambaya is a civil servant, youth advocate, union leader and a family man with great passion and zeal for the development of his people. He opens up his thoughts on issues that border on Akurmi unity, his achievements as the pioneer chairman of the youth association and many more.

AM: Please, can we know you?

Ans: I am Philemon Tambaya Yakubu Yarkasuwa, the pioneer Federated Youth Chairman Kaduna Branch, pioneer Federated Youth President (nationwide), former Assistant Secretary General Kaduna branch, and former Secretary Kaduna branch. I am happily married to an Akurmi woman and we are blessed with a child.

AM: As a youth leader, what do you think is the greatest challenge faced by the Nigerian youth?

Well, unemployment is one of the greatest challenges faced by both the Akurmi and the Nigerian youth today. The problem has adversely affected the youths and the society. Another area of concern is poor leadership from our leaders who are supposed to act as role models. The negative signal of corruption and immorality the youths are getting from our leaders today is very bad. The leadership seriously needs attitudinal change.

AM: As the pioneer chairman of Federated Akurmi Youth Association, what can you say are your achievements in the promotion of unity and development in Akurmi land?

Ans: First and foremost, no person can ever claim glory for anything done in his capacity as a leader. Glory belongs to God only. Well I have tried my best through wide consultation, organizing seminars to educate and enlighten our people. I have equally used my office in assisting some of our youths to secure employment and admission into various institutions across the state. During my time in office I encouraged intra marriage and supported it with a very strong conviction.

AM: Please proffer solutions on how the Akurmi people can promote unity and development?

Ans: If we want unity and development, we must first love one another and be our brother’s keeper. We must revive our cultural heritage and we should invest educationally and socially in the lives of our people.

AM: How can we revive our dying cultural heritage?

Ans: This is a serious problem and we must do something fast about it. Well, one major way is to start observing our national Akurmi traditional day as we use to do before. The youths stand to learn a lot about the Akurmi culture through this. I will equally call on parents to teach their children the history and culture of their people. I would also call on our educated people to write books about the Akurmi culture and tradition, this would help us immensely.

AM: What is your advice to Akurmi youths?

Ans: I will call on the Akurmi youth to respect and tolerate one another; we should shun violence and embrace peace. We must respect and obey our traditional institutions and our elders. We have to look at the past and emulate the positive steps of our elders. Our youth must embrace education today; there can never be any meaningful growth without education.