On Friday, July 12, 2024, a transformative webinar titled “Politeracy, Leadership, and Youth Inclusion in Good Governance” took centre stage on Google Meet. Organized by The OSEMODE Centre for Children, Women and Youth Empowerment, this event united leaders, thinkers, and young change-makers to discuss the importance of political literacy and youth participation in fostering inclusive governance.
With Ekengbuda Adesuwa, an Associate of The Electoral College Nigeria (Edo State), as the host, the session delivered powerful insights on leadership and youth empowerment. The webinar brought together an impressive line-up of expert speakers who shared their wealth of knowledge and personal experiences in leadership and governance.
The webinar focused on three key areas:
• Politeracy: Equipping young people with the political knowledge necessary to actively engage in governance.
• Leadership: Understanding the core principles of ethical leadership to foster accountability and drive societal transformation.
• Youth Inclusion: Breaking down barriers to youth involvement in decision-making and ensuring their voices are heard in shaping policies.
This timely conversation highlighted the increasing need for political literacy among Nigeria’s youth and the urgency of grooming future leaders capable of creating meaningful change.
The event featured an incredible array of speakers, each bringing a unique perspective:
• Osemudiamen Abraham Oriafo (Co-Founder, OSEMODE Centre for Children, Women, and Youth Empowerment): Oriafo emphasized the critical role youth play in societal development and urged young Nigerians to actively seek leadership opportunities.
• Oghobaghase Gaius Ikponwosa (Economist and Business Consultant): Ikponwosa highlighted the role of economic literacy in supporting youth participation in governance and entrepreneurship as a tool for empowerment.
• David Bristol Alagbariyewa (Advocate, Rivers State): Drawing from his experience, Alagbariyewa discussed the importance of grassroots mobilization and building inclusive political systems.
• Dr. Chris Ovie, Ph.D. (President, National Association of Postgraduate Students, UNIBEN): Dr. Ovie provided insights into how education can shape future leaders, emphasizing the role of academic institutions in governance awareness.
• Jessica Daniels (Director, Benue State, The Electoral College Nigeria): Daniels spoke passionately about empowering young people with practical tools for effective participation in leadership and governance.
• Osarodion Igbinedion (CEO, Ark Media): Igbinedion explored how the media can drive political literacy campaigns and amplify youth voices in governance discussions.
The discussion was rich with actionable insights and practical recommendations:
1. Youth as Catalysts for Change: The speakers called on young Nigerians to embrace their role as agents of transformation by actively participating in governance.
2. Political Literacy Matters: Building awareness and understanding of political systems is essential for meaningful engagement.
3. The Power of Collaboration: Partnerships between civil society organizations, educational institutions, and media platforms were identified as critical to advancing youth inclusion.
4. Leadership with Integrity: Values-based leadership remains the cornerstone of effective governance and societal progress.
Participants were encouraged to stay involved by joining political literacy programs and engaging with initiatives organized by The Electoral College Nigeria. There’s no better time than now for young people to step up, get informed, and take the lead in shaping Nigeria’s future.
The webinar successfully created a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and inspiring young Nigerians to take ownership of their roles in governance. With more events like this, the dream of a politically informed and actively involved youth population is within reach.
#Politeracy #YouthInclusion #Leadership #GoodGovernance
