By Admin
YES Project Initiative, an NGO, is encouraging youths to fully participate in politics and promote transparency and accountability in governance.
Mr Precious Oche-Edeh, Executive Director, YES Project Initiative, made the call in Jos on Saturday, at the launch of the Youth in Democratic and Inclusive Governance (Y-DIG) project.
Oche-Edeh said that youth participation was imperative as the much anticipated development in the country was moving at a snail speed.
The executive director stated that a critical analysis revealed the fact that misrepresentation, mismanagement of funds, a lack of accountability, and transparency were some of the challenges hampering development in Nigeria.
He further stated that the lack of transparency and accountability was also depriving the citizenry, especially the youths, of quality education, employment opportunities, and a secured environment for business activities.
“Building active citizen participation, especially of the youths, in accountability and governance processes (public finance, elections, legislation) at various levels is important if Nigeria is to deliver the dividends of democracy to its populace.
“Young people need the relevant tools, knowledge, and skills to hold the government accountable and to provide responsive public service to Nigerians, especially for its youthful population.
“Y-DIG project aims at enhancing young people’s power to hold government accountable towards providing transparency and accountability in public service to Nigerians, especially for the youths.
“The aim is to enable youth groups and associations in Plateau to influence public opinion and government actions on public finance to improve good governance.
“To facilitate youths’ engagement to take a leading role in demanding accountability, reduce corruption, and entrench transformative development,” he said.
Oche-Edeh said the Y-DIG project would mobilise youths in tertiary institutions and provide training on accountability and governance, campaigning, research, lobbying, and negotiation.
According to him, initial trainers would further step down the training for young people and community members to meaningfully engage duty-bearers to be involved in governance processes.
He emphasised that training and skills were necessary in the advocacy for change.
“Youth and community members will be supported to hold community engagement, including focused group discussions with government representatives to discuss government programmes and policies.
“The focus will be on key sectors like health, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and social development,” he said.
