Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative, in partnership with Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, and Leap Africa, held a two-day mentorship session on ‘youths inclusion in governance and sustainable leadership’, for selected youths from four Local government areas of Gombe state.

PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the event commenced on Wednesday, at Hajiya Amina hall, opposite Ministry of Agriculture junction, Gombe.

In his welcome remark, Team Lead of FOCEI, Benjamin Maina, after giving an overview of FOCEI and what they do, appreciated all the participants for availing themselves for the training and gave the objectives of the mentorship session, their expectation as well as their action plan for the project.

While presenting a paper on ‘developing advocacy strategy and policy brief‘, the facilitator, Yahaya Atiku gave an indepth explanation on advocacy and all it entails, adding that it aims to bring about positive change and improve on an existing situation among other numerous importance.

He also intimated the participants about policy briefs, its characteristics, formats, structural elements, and also showed some examples of policy briefs.

In continuation of its mentorship session on ‘youths inclusion in governance and sustainable leadership’, the foundation led participants on Thursday on an advocacy visit to Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, where Commissioner Salihu Alkali, received them.

Also, the team visited Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, where Commissioner Adamu Pantami, played host to the visitors.

The FOCEI team presented a Policy Brief to the commissioners and advocated for the development of a functional and actionable Youth Policy in Gombe state.

Speaking at both ministries, Team Lead of FOCEI, Maina lauded the commissioners for the warm reception given to them and gave an overview of the organisation.

He noted that by empowering Gombe State’s youth, the state can build a future of peace, prosperity, and sustainable leadership.

While receiving the policy brief and applauding FOCEI for their efforts and foresight, both commissioners reiterated their ministries commitment towards ensuring the growth and development of youths in Gombe State.

They both described the youths as future leaders, and assured that they will give the policy brief due consideration and forward it to the state government for onward implementation.

Our correspondent reports that the participants of the two days mentorship session hailed FOCEI for the training they received and assured that they will keep advocating for positive change in their respective communities.

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF A 2-DAY FOCEI-NYFF-LEAP AFRICA MENTORSHIP SESSION ON YOUTH INCLUSION AND GENDER EQUITY IN GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP ROLES

Organized by Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative (FOCEI)
Date: 9th and 10th October, 2024
Venue: Hajiya Amina Inuwa Hall, Gombe
Theme: Youth Inclusion and Gender Equity in Governance and Leadership Roles.

We, the 50 young men and women from across four selected LGAs of Gombe State, gathered for the 2-day Mentorship Session on Youth Inclusion and Gender Equity in Governance and Leadership Roles, to express our commitment to advancing the active engagement of youth in governance and leadership positions at local and state levels. This session, organised by the Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative (FOCEI), brought together youths, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, gender advocates, and media representatives to discuss the importance of inclusive leadership for sustainable development.

Purpose of the Session

The mentorship session aimed to:
Equip young participants with the leadership skills necessary for active participation in governance.
Promote gender equity by encouraging the participation of adolescent girls and young women in decision-making.
Develop actionable steps for the inclusion of youth in governance structures in Gombe State.

Key Observations

Underrepresentation of Youth in Governance: Despite youths constituting a significant portion of the population, their representation in governance is minimal. This limits their ability to influence policies that affect their future.

Gender Disparities in Leadership:

Adolescent girls and young women continue to face cultural, societal, and institutional barriers that prevent them from taking up leadership roles.
Lack of Policy Advocacy for Youth Inclusion: There is a need for increased advocacy efforts aimed at creating policies that promote youth participation in decision-making processes at local and state levels.

Need for Mentorship: Continuous mentorship and training are essential for empowering youths, particularly young women, to break societal barriers and assume leadership positions.
Commitments from the Participants
We, the participants, commit to the following actions to support youth inclusion and gender equity in governance and leadership roles in Gombe State:
Forming Youth-Led Action Groups:
Each participant will take part in the formation of Youth-Led Action Groups in their respective communities and LGAs. These groups will serve as platforms for continuous engagement on issues affecting youths, with a special focus on gender equity.

Promoting Gender Equity:
Both male and female participants commit to advocating for the inclusion of adolescent girls and young women in leadership roles, ensuring that future leadership is inclusive and reflective of gender balance.

Advocacy for Policy Reform:
The participants will advocate for policy reforms at both local and state levels to institutionalize youth inclusion in governance. This will involve engaging relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and policymakers to ensure the creation of youth-friendly policies that enable active participation.

Engaging with Traditional and Religious Leaders:
Recognising the influence of traditional and religious leaders, participants will engage these leaders to foster support for gender equity and youth inclusion in governance.
Leveraging social media and Media Platforms:
The youth action groups will use social media and other media platforms to raise awareness and push for policy changes that promote youth inclusion and gender equity in leadership.

Action Points for Key Stakeholders
We call on the following key stakeholders to support the commitments made during the mentorship session:
Policy Makers and Government Officials:
Create enabling policies that ensure a mandatory youth quota in governance structures.

Ensure that gender-sensitive policies are developed and implemented, providing equitable leadership opportunities for young women.
Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs):
Ensure youth representation in all decision-making bodies at the local and state levels.
Implement programs that foster leadership development for both young men and women.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs):
Partner with youth-led action groups to provide mentorship and advocacy support.

Help in conducting awareness campaigns on the importance of youth and gender inclusion in leadership.

Media:
Amplify the voices of young leaders advocating for youth inclusion and gender equity in governance.
Highlight success stories of young leaders, especially female leaders, to inspire broader participation.
Traditional and Religious Leaders:
Encourage and support the involvement of youths, particularly young women, in community leadership and decision-making.

Next Steps
The mentorship session concluded with the following next steps to ensure sustainability
of youth inclusion and gender equity efforts:

Establishment of Monitoring Teams:
Teams will be set up in each community we represent to monitor the activities of the youth-led action groups and track their engagement with local government bodies.

Development of Policy Proposals:
Youth-led action groups will collaborate to draft policy proposals advocating for youth inclusion and gender equity in governance. These proposals will be presented to relevant policymakers and government institutions in Gombe State.
Quarterly Review Sessions:
Participants will meet quarterly to review progress, share success stories, and re-strategize on advocacy efforts to ensure continuous engagement.

Collaboration with Gender Advocates and Women’s Groups:
The youth-led action groups will partner with established gender advocacy organizations to strengthen their push for gender-sensitive leadership policies.
Conclusion
We, the participants of the 2-day mentorship session, are committed to driving change in Gombe State by advocating for youth inclusion and gender equity in governance and leadership roles. Together, we can foster a more inclusive, diverse, and sustainable leadership structure that reflects the voices of all citizens, particularly the youth.

Signed by:
Participants of the 2-day Mentorship Session
Representatives of FOCEI
Youth-Led Action Groups

Glory Samson
Esther Ephraim
Fatima Ibrahim Yusuf
Rahab M Loh
Joseph Ayuba Takobi
Ahmed M Tukur
Kate Bala Shimile
Dorcas Kanadi
Samuel Solomon King
Musa A Zambuk
Yoti Juliana Dimma
Stephen Haggai
Tabitha I Motsi
Fatima Umar
Joy Elkanah
Yusuf Yahaya Atiku
Bulus Happy Nzumi
Chima Azubuike 
Hannatu Saidu Kwari
Isaac John Toliya
Ephraim Samuel
Hauwa M Babaji
Daniella Alfred
Amratu Abubakar Yusuf
Asiya Abubakar
Felicia Elisha
Audu Felicia
Obed Rapture Kudi
Fatima Habiba Sakairu
Jenis I Manni
Comfort Ephraim
Keziah Dadel
Aishatu Muhammed
Aishatu Abubakar Elnafaty
Yakubu Vincent
Ezekiel Peace Nafisat
Tamar A Lubo
Esther Yahaya
Charity Maxwell
Jeremiah Yakubu
Thomas S Abah
Victoria Audu Kudi
Ali Eggon Emmanuel
Muhammad Shehu U
Rebecca Audu
Abdon A Sadah
Mary Poloma
Hussaini Ahmed
Samira Mohammed
Benjamin Maina