CHRCR laments low participation of Youths in Leadership position in Kogi

A Non-Governmental Organization, Conscience for Human Right and Conflict Resolutio, CHRCR, has lamented on the low participation of Youths in political leadership despite the numerical strength in terms of Voter registration and Permanent Voters Cards collected in Kogi State..

This was contained communique issued at the end of a one day summit organized by the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, CHRCR, in partnership with the Nigerian Women trust Fund (NWTF), to raise awareness, identify challenges and proffer way forward for participation of young persons in Kogi State.

Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that the communique, which was signed by the Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) Comrade Idris Abdul Miliki on Thursday lamented that, despite the establishment of the Youth Development Commission, by the present administration in Kogi State, there is no budgetary provision for the taking off of the commission since inception.

It further observed that, young women are especially excluded by Social and Structural challenges in Youth participations in political leadership, adding that, there has been low/inadequate Government focus on building the capacity of Youth for leadership

The communique read in part"Culture and tradition have overbearing influence on youth in leadership at state level particularly in Kogi State. Youths make up over 35 percent of the voting population in Nigeria with over 37 million registered voters who are between 18-34 years according to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) records. Cost of elections and politics generally is too high that prevents young persons from participation, depriving them from realizing their leadership ambitions.

"The 1999 Constitution as Amended, and the 2022 Electoral Act, stipulates 18 years as the age of Voting. However, the least age for being voted for is 25 years (for State and federal legislature). This is discriminatory and a hindrance to the Nigerian youths attaining leadership positions.

"Corruption and Insecurity is a major factor in preventing Young persons from participating in the electoral process. The National Education curriculum does not provide adequate capacity for leadership for young persons.

"There no or limited mentoring of young persons by those who have attained leadership positions to provide succession, particularly by young persons" 

While expressing worries that there are no young persons among the contestants for the position of Governor among the Candidates participating in the November 11th 2023 elections in Kogi State, the communique recommended that, the Kogi State Youth Commission needs to create a five -year strategic Development Plan to mobilize needed resources for intervening for youth participation in leadership through relevant stakeholders

It also suggested that, the Kogi State Government must as a matter of urgency, create and provide adequate funding through the State Budget, for the Youth Commission, so as to enhance their delivery of their mandate in accordance to the establishment of their law.

"Young Women need particular attention as they are more vulnerable to the challenges more than any other person. Political parties must begin to re-energize their ideology towards youth participation and inclusion so as to enhance their potentials. There is need for an effective Mentoring scheme targeting young people for Leadership especially in politics

"Constitutional Amendments to align the age of voting and age to be voted for is necessary to improve the participation of young persons in politics. The huge population of young persons must be strategically used to the advantage of Kogi State and Nigeria in terms of political leadership" the communique added.

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