The Lugard Youth Empowerment and development initiative (LYDEI), with the support of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF has officially launched ‘Strengthening Youth Social Accountability project in Kogi State.
The launch was made during a One day capacity building sess
ion for Youth focused organization in the state. Mr Solomon Attah took members of the Youth Organizations through the overview and the objective of the project.
According to Attah the objectives of the Project Objectives are;
Strengthen the capacity of the youth ecosystem operational environment to effectively engage governance processes, build the capacity of youth to promote accountability and open governance through budget tracking and monitoring of budget implementation at the state and local government levels.
Other objectives includes the Conduct of a comprehensive analysis of Kogi State’s Youth Development and Empowerment Annual Budget (2024–2025) to enhance transparency and policy advocacy, domesticate the National Youth Policy in Kogi State to ensure effective youth development programming and alignment with national frameworks.
Speaking during the launch, the Executive Director of Initiative For Grassroot Advancement In Nigeria, (INGRA) noted that there is need to build the capacities of the Youths in other for them to be able to overcome some of the challenges faced by them.
The ED stated this in a Lecture titled “Practical Approaches to Evidence-based Advocacy and Policy influence for Youths Organization” during a One-day Capacity Strengthening Session for Youth Focused Organizations in Kogi State.
The Project “Strengthen Youth Social Accountability Project (SYSA-P) was organized by Lugard Youth Development and Empowerment, held at the NYCN Hall, Amusement park, Lokoja, with support from Nigeria Youth Futures Fund.
According Aliyu, who is also the Chairperson of Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), there is a need to train youth members on research skills, data analysis, and policy processes.
In addition he said, there is also a need to foster partnerships with academic institutions and think tanks.
While noting that Youth issues often lack visibility and impact in policy, Hamza however said the solution is engaging in evidence-based advocacy which tend to moved beyond passion to present irrefutable facts.
In another presentation, by a lecturer at the Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Dr. SekpeSheneni Samuel on the Roles and Responsibilities of Youth Organisations in Strengthening Governance and Youth Development in Kogi State,
Dr. Samuel maintained that youth organizations must be willing to share information with members and stakeholders and avoid secrecy, favoritism, or manipulation.
He stressed that youth organizations must be accountabile and be ready to take responsibility for actions and decisions, as well as being answerable to members, leaders, and the community, accepting praise for success and responsibility for failure.
