Group trains Imo youths on active leadership, political participation

By Jennifer John

Twenty-seven youths, one from each of the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State, were trained on active leadership and political participation.

The training took place last Saturday, at Dussel Hotels, Urata, in Owerri North LGA. It was conducted by the Imo State Leadership Development Fellowship.

During the training, the project leader, Mr. Anuforo Goodluck Eziokwu, a social development professional, revealed to our correspondent that the programme was sponsored by LEAP Africa, through its subgroup, the Nigeria Youths Futures Fund (NYFF). He explained that the initiative aims at empowering youths who, in turn, can empower others.

Mr. Anuforo disclosed that over five thousand applications were submitted to the Fund, adding that only two hundred were successful, including his own entry.

He noted that there is a significant gap between government and youths in Imo State and the South East, highlighting the need to create a fellowship-like community.

According to him, the community is designed to train youths in leadership and introduce them to the network of politics and administration, while offering them digital literacy skills, which would enable them to report issues in their communities from anywhere.

According to Mr. Anuforo, the 27 youths were carefully selected from the 27 LGAs for the pilot phase of the programme, adding that the most serious participants would be inducted as Fellows. He added that if this stage is successfully concluded, the Fellowship may seek sponsorship from the government, Non-Governmental Organizations, and public-spirited individuals to expand the scope and possibly, include the entire South East.

He said the first impact of the trainees on society will be ‘storytelling,’ which aims to draw government and public attention to issues in their immediate environment and communities, while using the Fellowship to channel their advocacy to ensure it reaches the appropriate stakeholders and authorities, who can provide solutions.

The Project Leader further emphasized that the Fellowship aims to bring youths together, to create social, political and leadership changes in their communities. According to him, it will help them project themselves for any leadership opportunity granted to them.

What we are trying to do is build capacity to position ourselves as socio-political stakeholders at the grassroots.”

The programme featured keynote speeches by academic and political stakeholders, including Hon. Nze James Chinonyerem, a lecturer at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education and the immediate past Senior Special Assistant to the Government of Imo State on Public Utilities. He spoke on the topic, “Evangelizing the Youths for National Development.”

Hon. Jude Ugwuanya, the immediate past Special Adviser to the Government of Imo State on Investments, discussed the Importance of Youths Participation in Governance.

Additionally, the programme included lectures on Ethical Leadership delivered by Mr. Chidi Solomon Alexander, Digital Literacy by Mrs. Sylvaline Ejionye and Advocacy by Barr. Asibong Asi.