Enhancing Youth Civic Participation in Governance and Leadership Capacity in four Selected Communities within Gombe Metropolis, Gombe State, Nigeria

The FOCEI-implemented project in Gombe State, Nigeria, aimed to increase youths’ involvement in governance and leadership by enhancing their skills and increasing awareness of their role in these areas. Targeting youths aged 15 to 24 in four selected communities (Gombe, Kwami, Yamaltu, and Akko Local Government Areas), the project spanned from January to July 2023 and achieved its objectives through various activities.

Advocacy, in January 2023, the project conducted advocacy visits to engage 148 stakeholders, including community leaders, government officials, and civil society organizations, to secure support for the Nigerian Youths Future Funds project and promote youths’ civic participation in governance.

Sensitization were organized in four communities to raise awareness among community members, decision-makers, and stakeholders about youths’ civic involvement in governance and the 2023 elections, reaching over 320 individuals.

On August 3, 2023, a capacity-building training session took place, attended by 86 youths, including adolescent girls and individuals with disabilities. The training covered essential leadership skills, decision-making, integrity, team building, and problem-solving.

The project effectively achieved its goals by increasing awareness, conducting sensitization programs, and providing leadership training to empower youths. It engaged a broad spectrum of community members and secured the commitment of key stakeholders, making significant strides towards enhancing youths’ civic participation and promoting gender-inclusive governance. The project aimed for 40 percent youth representation in governance, including commissioner seats.

In summary, the project accomplished the following:

  1. Increased Awareness: The project successfully raised awareness about the importance of youths’ involvement in governance, representing a crucial initial step toward achieving its objectives.
  2. Stakeholder Commitment: Over 148 stakeholders expressed unwavering commitment to supporting the project, demonstrating strong community and local leadership support, vital for long-term impact.
  3. Community Engagement: Sensitization programs engaged over 320 community members, showcasing the project’s ability to involve various stakeholders in discussions about youths’ civic participation.
  4. Youths’ Empowerment: The capacity-building training empowered 86 youths with essential leadership skills, enabling them to actively participate in governance and leadership roles.
  5. Inclusivity: The project’s commitment to inclusivity was evident through the participation of adolescent girls and individuals with disabilities, ensuring no one was left behind.
  6. Promoting Gender Equality: The project emphasized the importance of promoting gender equality in leadership, encouraging more women to participate in governance.

The project has achieved significant success in various areas:

  1. Youths’ Empowerment and Leadership Development: The project transformed young participants into empowered and confident leaders, equipping them with essential skills for governance and leadership roles.
  2. Increased Youths’ Civic Participation: The project successfully increased youths’ civic participation, igniting enthusiasm among young individuals to actively engage in their communities’ affairs.
  3. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: The project promoted gender equality, inspiring more women to participate in governance and break barriers limiting their involvement in leadership roles.
  4. Community Engagement and Awareness: Sensitization efforts engaged communities, turning community members into advocates for youths’ participation and responsible governance.
  5. Stakeholder Commitment and Collaboration: The project received overwhelming support and commitment from stakeholders, recognizing its potential to positively impact their communities.

In conclusion, the FOCEI-implemented project in Gombe State, Nigeria, has achieved significant success stories, fostering youths’ engagement, gender equality, and community empowerment in governance. These successes demonstrate the project’s capacity to inspire positive change and contribute to more inclusive and participatory governance in Gombe State.

Cross section of Stakeholders during the advocacy visit to Liji Community Yamaltu Deba LGA of Gombe State
Group photograph with Stakeholders during the advocacy visit to Liji Community in Yamaltu Deba LGA of Gombe State
Executive Director FOCE with Commissioner of Women Affairs Gombe State Mrs. Naomi J.J Awak Advocacy visit to the Ministry of women Affairs Gombe state.
Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs with her acting Parm Sec in a Group Photograph with FOCEI staffs during NYFF Advocacy visit to the Ministry of Women Affairs and social development Gombe.
The CEO welcoming address during the first day of sensitization excersise of NYFF Project in Tunfure Ward of Akko LGA Gombe State, on the 1st of February, 2023
Picture of the questions session and the program cordinator at Tunfure Ward of Akko LGA Gombe State, on the 1st of February, 2023
Dr Madi Standing the first day of sensitization excersise of NYFF Project in Gombe Community of Gombe LGA Gombe State, on the February, 2023
The First speaker Mrs Natasha Speaking to the participants during the NYFF Project Sensitization by FOCEI in Gombe Metropolis of Gombe State on the Enhancing Youths’ Civic Participation In Governance sensitization 3rd February, 2023.
The second speaker Mr Daniel Speaking to the participants during the NYFF Project Sensitization by FOCEI in Gombe Metropolis of Gombe State on the Enhancing Youths’ Civic Participation In Governance sensitization 3rd February, 2023.
Group photograph after NYFF Project Sensitization in Gombe Metropolis of Gombe State on the Enhancing Youths’ Civic Participation In Governance sensitization 3rd February, 2023.
The CEO in action during the welcoming Address of NYFF Project in Liji Community Yamaltu Deba LGA of Gombe State.
The first presenter and the second presenter sensitizing ligi Community Members on Youths’s Civic Participation in Governance during NYFF Project in Liji Community Yamaltu Deba LGA of Gombe State.
The second presenter sensitizing ligi Community Members on Youths’s Civic Participation in Governance during NYFF Project in Liji Community Yamaltu Deba LGA of Gombe State.
The second presenter sensitizing ligi Community Members on Youths’s Civic Participation in Governance during NYFF Project in Liji Community Yamaltu Deba LGA of Gombe State.