donate now

THE RISE, FALL & REBIRTH OF YOUTH POWER IN NIGERIA

In preparation for the upcoming 2023 election, it is expedient that we observe and scrutinize the roles and influence of youth power in the course and actions of proper governance. As we set off, let’s clarify what the term “Youth” means, there are various definitions but in retrospect to our indigenous republic, youth comprises all young males and females, aged 18 to 35 years. (National Youth Policy of 2009).

The huge population of youth in Nigeria signifies a great asset for a socio-political transformation within a democratic space, historically Nigeria has had its youth as one of the driving force of change.

Post-colonialism, there was a major involvement of youths in the activism for independence, protest from students in Unions like WASU (West African Student union), the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in 1934 and after independence, youth participation shaped and founded the implicit character of Nigeria. The intervention of the military in the first military coup were majorly led by young officers.

Furthermore, in 1966, a youth President (age 31) sat in office and was one of the most renowned presidents of our nation, the civil war led by young officers, young leadership wasn’t a strange phenomenon as it is now, which begs the question how did we get here? At one point or the other this millennia have been told that they are the leaders of tomorrow, but tomorrow seems far-fetched which is now resulting to an apathy, a nonchalant attitude towards politics and governance. Young people in politics are now segregated to the youth arms of political parties which was a notion imposed during the second republic; where there is little or no meaningful contribution to the progressiveness of the nation. Still the youths have not given up, the ENDSARS and Nottooyoungtorule movements are proof that the youth are very much, a driving force for change in our beloved homeland.

*What We Do*
Leadership deficits, money politics, poor internal democracy among the older parties and an absence of a strategic political agenda have become the norm, posing ongoing barriers to young people playing a role in national development. All these unpleasant factors have prompted Kids & Teens Resource Centre to promote good governance in Nigeria through participatory methodologies such as Economic Literacy, Budget, Accountability and Governance (ELBAG), NERV, PVA tools on voter’s education and their roles as citizens in ensuring good leadership for the nation.

K&TRC organizes 18th Birthday Bash for young people who just clocked 18 years in the country to enlighten them on the importance of getting a voter’s card and active participation in elections.

✓ Conduct awareness campaigns, street rallies, interpersonal communication, peer influencers among young people and citizens in shunning electoral violence

✓ Collaborate with other NGOs in assisting the effort of the government by providing information, social amenities that are expected in a given community

✓ Produce and distribute SBCC/IEC materials printed in local languages and in English to sensitize people on the need to participate in election processes and how to be patriotic citizens.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

*

Share:

More Posts

Job vacancy: Program and Evaluation Officer

Job Title: Program and Evaluation Officer Location: Ondo State, Nigeria Job Summary We are seeking a dedicated Program and Evaluation Officer to join our team. This key role involves overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of our programs. You will ensure that our programs are effective, impactful, and aligned with our vision and mission. Key Responsibilities 1. Support the overall management and coordination of the organization’s programs, including designing program components, setting goals, and ensuring objectives are achieved. 2. Develop winning proposals and concepts that can be submitted for possible funding to donors and private sectors. 3. Initiate innovate strategies that can be used to improve the organization’s activities through the use of information technology. 4. Support the Executive Director in the evaluation and monitoring of the program’s effectiveness through data collection, outcome assessment, and feedback integration. 5. Utilize evaluation findings to refine implementation processes, address challenges, and enhance program impact. 6. Ensure all mentorship activities align with program goals and standards, maintaining program quality and impact. 7. Prepare detailed reports and assessments on program performance for decision-making and improvement, to be shared with the Executive Director and other stakeholders. Qualifications Interest or background in Social Sciences,  Education, Public Administration,

World Diabetes Day Outreach: Fighting Diabetes Together

World Diabetes Day serves as a global reminder of the growing impact of diabetes on millions of people worldwide. In Nigeria, diabetes continues to be a rising health concern, with many unaware of the importance of early detection, prevention, and management. At Kids & Teens Resource Centre, we took a hands-on approach to raise awareness and educate communities about diabetes through a powerful outreach event at Isikan Market, Akure, Ondo State on World Diabetes Day. A Day of Health and Awareness at World Diabetes Day Outreach   In collaboration with our dedicated sister NGOs, including The Speaking Voice of Hope for the Less Privileged Initiative, John Lucy Development Initiative, MercySpeak, and ELROI Ministries, we embarked on a mission to bring life-saving health checks and valuable information to the heart of Isikan Market. This collaborative effort allowed us to directly engage with the community, providing essential services and offering crucial knowledge to over 50 individuals. The aim was simple: To educate, to empower, and to provide the tools needed for better health. Key Highlights of Our World Diabetes Day Outreach Free Health Checks: We conducted free blood sugar and blood pressure tests for community members, offering an early warning system for

Available Position: Finance Officer

Kids & Teens Resource Centre (K&TRC) is a non-profit and a non-governmental organization founded in 2002 to advance, promote and support efforts of government and other stakeholders involved in children and young people developmental initiatives. Available Position: Finance Officer Experience: 3 years Location: Ondo Position Overview: The Finance Officer (FO) will be responsible for accounting, monitoring, controlling, managing, funds and budgets at the local level. The FO will ensure all project expenses align with Project Agreements, maintain accounts according to K&TRC policies and donor obligations, and support internal controls and financial procedures. Key Responsibilities: Assist in overseeing project funds and budgets. Ensure compliance with donor contractual obligations and K&TRC policies. Record all financial transactions (bank, cash, accruals) according to K&TRC policies. Maintain inventory of office equipment and fixed assets. Manage payments, ensuring accuracy and appropriateness of invoices. Ensure timely entry of accounting operations into QUICKBOOKS. Disseminate finance procedures and anti-corruption policies to branches and project staff. Produce accurate and timely financial reports. Manage advances to staff and ensures proper documentation and classification of financial documents. Requirements: Essential: Degree in Finance/Accounts or equivalent experience. (ACA/MBA/CA, ICAN, ANAN, or equivalent is a plus.) Minimum of three years of relevant experience in financial

Community Dialogue on Climate Action: A Step Towards Resilient Communities in Nigeria

Community Dialogue on Climate Action: A Step Towards Resilient Communities in Nigeria In an important initiative to combat the pressing challenges of climate change in Nigeria, Kids & Teens Resource Centre (K&TRC) hosted a pivotal Community Dialogue in Akure. This event was part of the “Empowering Civil Society to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria” project, also recognized as the #ClimateActionForStrongerNaija initiative, proudly sponsored by the Nigeria Youth Sustainable Development Goals Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) and supported by the German Embassy in Nigeria. The Community Dialogue convened a diverse group of stakeholders. Thus, creating a platform for vital discussions aimed at developing local strategies to address climate change. Among the participants were youth groups, people with disabilities, civil society organizations, religious and traditional leaders, and key government officials, all coming together to brainstorm actionable solutions to mitigate climate-related impacts. The event kicked off with opening remarks from our Executive Director, Mrs. Folashade Bamigboye. She highlighted the importance of collective action and urged all attendees to take ownership of the climate dialogue. “This conversation is crucial now more than ever,” she noted. “We must unite to formulate practical action plans that address the environmental challenges we face at the grassroots level.” Mr. Emmanuel Adamolekun,