Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative in partnership with Nigeria Youth Futures Fund on Thursday, organised a one-day training on youth civic participation in governance and leadership.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that no fewer than 80 participants attended from Liji, Tumfure, Kwami and Akko.
The workshop which held at Hajiya Amina hall was organised by FOCEI and NYFF implemented by LEAP Africa with funding from MacArthur Foundation.
Participants were aged between 18 and 24 years.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, Chief Executive Officer of FOCEI, Ben Maina, explained that the essence of the workshop was to enhance the level of youth participation in governance, adding that participants have been better equipped to engage.
Maina said, “To equip young minds, youths with necessary leadership skills and also coach them on how they should participate in governance issues.
“It also aimed at promoting team building among youths and also issues of decision making.
“The aim of this engagement has been achieved because the target was youth between the age of 18 to 24 from some selected communities in Gombe metropolis.”
While rating the impact of the workshop highly, Maina noted that based on the tests conducted participants have been imbibed with basic leadership skills and civic participation to enhance their level of participation in governance.
“Also, based on pre and post-test administered we have seen significant improvement from what they came in with and what they are going out with,” Maina added.
Also speaking, Director, Technical Assistance, Gombe State Budget, Planning and Development Partners Co-ordination office Labilwa Ismaila, commended FOCEI and NYFF for the collaboration.
Ismaila described the workshop as apt, urging participants to take it seriously in order to become better persons in their endeavours and communities.
“The training is a very important one. Participants should take it seriously, youths should have their minds changed. The time has passed when youths rely on their parents the reason I’m talking about attitudinal change. Initiate things that will bring change in your communities,” Ismaila said.
Earlier, FOCEI Executive Director, Rahab Makama Loh, in her welcome address encouraged participants to be committed, adding that “you will learn useful things that will make you leaders in life.”
Team Lead of Dandalin Matasa Initiative for Rapid Development Yusuf Bashama, who presented on Youth leadership and Decision making & mentorship skills, urged participants to get mentors in relevant areas of interest.
Bashama called on participants to get involved instead of being carefree with issues pertaining to development, he cited instances around his active involvement in not too young to run championed by Samson Itodo, of Yiaga Africa, encouraging the youths to get prepared to undertake opportunities.
Natasha Amadi, was part of the A-list facilitators that coached participants, she presented on Team building in leadership. Amadi whose presentation was practical, segmented participants into four groups. She gifted the best group with cash reward for their active participation, while Fatima Sani, emphasised on Problem solving skills.
Some of the participants who spoke with this paper lauded the contribution of FOCEI and NYFF in sharpening the leadership skills of Gombe youths, adding that it would ensure that they become relevant in governance.
They disclosed that they would utilise what they have been taught in their various communities towards ensuring development for all.
