COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE 1-DAY ROUND TABLE FOR YOUTH FOCUS ORGANIZATIONS AND MEDIA, ORGANIZED BY THE CONSCIENCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (CHRCR) AT HALIMS HOTEL, GANAJA JUNCTION, LOKOJA ON FRIDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2023 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WOMEN TRUST FUND NIGERIA WITH SUPPORT FROM MACAUTHUR FOUNDATION.
BACKGROUND:
The Round Table meeting was aimed at developing synergy among youths and youth focused organizations in Kogi State towards increasing the effective participation of youth and young persons in governance at State and community levels.
The Round Table had in attendance Youth organizations and Media practitioners.
There was paper presentations on Inspiring Youths for Leadership by Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) Idris Miliki Abdul, Challenges of Youth in Attaining Leadership position and the way forward by Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), Hamza Aliyu and Goodwill message from Kogi State Youth Development Commission. There was also *the unveiling of the Inspiring Youth for Leadership Network (IYLN),* plenary discussions and Questions and Answer sessions.
*OBSERVATIONS:*
Participants made the following observations
– The establishment of The Kogi State Youth Development Commission in Kogi State is welcome development
– However the Commission as constituted may not deliver the desired results as intended.
– There are several youth focused government agencies and department working at cross roads purposes with each other
– Youths make up over 60% of the population of the State and it voting power
– The number of young persons elected or appointed to decision making position are not comparable to the voting strength of youth in Kogi State
– The Nigerian Youth Council has not be effective in mobilizing and advocating the issues of youths and Young persons in leadership position.
– Kogi State Budgetary process has not been youth and gender sensitive
– The Constitutional provision on age of voting is discriminatory to the rights of Young persons to be voted for at age of 18 years.
– Youth capacity to engage in governance is a major challenge in effective participation for young persons
– Issues of youth participation in governance has not been as forcefully in the forefront of State discussions as it should be
– The issue of youth in the media space has not been given prominent attention as expected
– *Non conduct of Local government elections in Kogi State and lack of machinery put in place to conduct such elections before the expiration of the current elected Council that expires on the 14th of December 2023 is a deprivation of opportunities for youths to participate in governance and leadership at local levels*
*RECOMMENDATIONS*
– Kogi State Government need to allocate more resources to the Youth Development Commission to improve their effectiveness in addressing youth issues in the State
– There is need for coordination and synergy between all Youth focused Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and also among Youth focused Organizations
– The Media reportage on youth issues must be deliberate and long term to achieve desired impact on youth leadership
– Youths must translate their electoral strength to elective and appointive positions in the State
– Advocacy for Constitutional amendment on the reduction on the age to vote and be voted for, needs to be strengthened
– Kogi State Budget process needs to be more participatory involving youth and youth focused organizations
– *There is need for consistent and periodic elections at local government levels in accordance with relevant laws and Constitutional provisions of Federal Republic of Nigeria, as at when due to strengthen the platform for youth participation in political governance and leadership.*
The Round Table commended the continuous engagement of relevant stakeholders towards youth leadership in the state, and the continuous support of The Nigeria Women Trust Fund and The Mac Authur Foundation
*Signed:*
IDRIS MILIKI ABDUL
_EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR_
CONSCIENCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (CHRCR)
LOKOJA, KOGI STATE