CATYCOI meets Ebonyi Youths, vows Intensified Campaign for Youths Involvement in Governance, Electoral processes

Engagement meeting

Elochukwu Benjamin

Awka 

A youth organization, the Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) has emphasized the need for adequate youths involvement in governance and electoral processes in Nigeria, to equip them to take charge of the future.

The Executive Director of CATYCOI, Nonso Orakwe made the point during a One-Day Community Action Simulation Plan (CASP) Training in Ebonyi State.

The training was targeted at empowering young people to engage in policy advocacy and leadership actively.

During the training, Orakwe said the CASP training is structured to provide practical advocacy skills, stakeholder mapping strategies, and approaches to influencing policy change.

Noting that similar trainings had already been conducted in Anambra, Abia, and Imo States, covering the entire Southeast region, Orakwe listed areas participants were to explore to include understanding advocacy, electoral reform priorities, stakeholder engagement strategies, practical advocacy approaches, among others.

Expressing commitment to championing electoral reforms and spreading the message of YERP 9ja in the State, participants raised certain expected challenges which included limited resources and personnel to expand the simulation exercise across all 13 LGAs in Ebonyi State.

"We have also difficulty accessing remote areas which restricts wider participation; resistance from some stakeholders skeptical of electoral reform initiatives as well as cultural and social barriers which limit engagement, particularly among marginalized groups," they said.

The Program Manager, Israel Orji, while commending the participants for their active involvement in the training, pledged the organization's willingness to partner with the youths towards addressing the challenges.

"Your enthusiasm and commitment underscore the impact of this initiative in fostering a generation of young advocates dedicated to electoral reform in Nigeria," he stated.

Orji canvassed for advocacy visits to relevant stakeholders in the State, which he said would commence within the month as well as inclusive stakeholders' engagement meetings to ensure representation from diverse groups.

He said under this drive, community leaders and organizations will be engaged to navigate cultural and social nuances affecting electoral reform, while partnerships will be formed with local authorities to integrate electoral reform initiatives into existing structures.