Activist trains over 30 youths on advocacy, policy influencing in Enugu
By Chinagorom Joseph
One of the major causes for the inconsistency and failure in Nigeria’s socio-political system is the apathy of the people themselves in their own affairs.
In recent times, however, we have witnessed a progressive awakening, especially the young people in assuming civic responsibilities, exploring opportunities to take action on issues that affect them, and ultimately participating in the development of their own communities, states, and the country at large.
To be able to engage and effectively participate in the development process, young people require to be equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills, and relevant resources.
It is in line with this that a social development practitioner working under the auspices of the Speak Up, Stand Out (SUSO) program organised a One-Day Advocacy and Policy influencing training for young people in Enugu state.
The event which took place at Nichole’s Place Hotel, Enugu was attended by over 30 youths including young women and girls as well as people living with disabilities (PLWDs).
The training was targeted at equipping young people with relevant advocacy and policy-influencing skills and resources, enabling them to effectively hold public office holders accountable while participating effectively in the development process of their own communities.
The participants were trained in advocacy and related concepts, major steps in advocacy, and key considerations for conducting effective advocacy campaigns among others.
Beyond the advocacy training, the event provided a lively platform and opportunity where young people were asked to share ideas on some of the most pressing challenges that affect young people today in Nigeria.
Key among the issues raised were poor education system, growing unemployment, and underemployment among others.
Speaking with the organizer, Ikenna Ugwu, who is one of the ten Nigerian youth activists in selected to implement the Speak Up, Stand Out (SUSO) program on behalf of a consortium, he said, the event is one of the SUSO program activities targeted at strengthening education service delivery in Enugu state and expressed his excitement at the rising interest of young people in holding government accountable through active participation and engagement.
