Thanks to Ozuzu Promise, Earth Charter Youth Group coordinator from Nigeria for writing this article.
Nigerian Medical Association Hall, Abia State University Teaching Hospital
18th FEBRUARY, 2011
Engaging youths in the democratic process and understanding the role of Nigerian youths in sustained democracy and good governance
PASS IT ON (P.I.O) project brought together about 40 passionate Medical Students of the Abia State University and Nursing students of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital. Mr Maxwell Ogaga, Earth Charter youth activists and 2011 URI Youth Ambassador, African Region the main Facilitator at the workshop presented a subject “When governance works”. He challenged participants to engage in democratic processes and to contribute in any way possible to governance.
After the presentation, the participants were asked to suggest practical and pragmatic ways in which young people can be involved in governance and contribute positively. The session was interesting as the participants brainstormed and came up with practical ways in which young people can contribute to good governance.
The second presentation was done by Mr. Richie Felix, a youth advocate, writer and a public speaker. Mr Richie highlighted the importance of youths in the development of Nigeria and Africa. He encouraged participants to use resources available to them to affect their community.
AfriGrowth Representative, Mr Okechukwu Onoh, gave words of encouragement to participants from the President/Founder of AfriGrowth Foundation, Mrs Dayo Keshi. He also stressed the need for youths to embrace mentoring as a strategy to getting involved in the democratization processes. AfriGrowth Foundation has successfully used mentoring as a strategy for youth advocacy.
The workshop was gradually coming to an end with experience sharing from the participants and the project coordinator Mr Ozuzu Promise. He has attended several training programmes and seminars on Democracy, Good-governance, and Leadership, including AfriGrowth Youth Mentoring Seminar in Abuja on December 2010. Ozuzu Promise is currently one of participants at DESPLAY-AFRICA season 6.
Participants were guided through several websites that could help them in their course for further growth in the areas of youth participation: Earth Charter, Youth Action for Change, Youngstars Foundation, World Movement for Democracy, United Religions Initiative, AfriGrowth Foundation and Voices Against Corruption. Of course the Earth Charter Youth Group Abia State’s profile was also presented:
http://ecyg.wikispaces.com/Nigeria_Abia .
The workshop ended with closing remarks from the project coordinator, with a closing prayer and a photo session.
The project had the support of AfriGrowth Foundation, Youths for Good Governance, All Nigerian United Nations, Student, and Youth Association (ANUNSA-ABSUTH) and the URI Youth Ambassador project.
