By Aminu Harsanu Guyaba
In a bid to deepen democracy in Nigeria and promote the inclusion of youth and women in politics, the Young Leaders Network (YLN), a non-governmental organization, has convened a meeting with members of political parties and civil society organizations in Bauchi.
The event, themed “Enhancing Participatory Democracy at the State and Local Level Project,” brought together key stakeholders from various sectors to foster collaboration and sustainable development in communities.
Speaking at the forum, YLN’s Executive Director, Mr. Seun Justin, highlighted the organization’s commitment to advancing political inclusion. He explained that the initiative, which has been active since 2017, has conducted numerous sensitization campaigns to encourage youth and women to participate in politics actively.
“The participants have demonstrated enthusiasm and a willingness to share the knowledge gained from this forum with others,” Justin remarked. He added that the platform is open to all citizens, stressing that increasing youth and women’s representation in political parties is crucial for the nation’s progress.
As part of the event, YLN’s Governance Programs Manager, Mr. Moses Danjuma Kusko, delivered a presentation titled “The Role of Inclusive Governance in Promoting Youth and Women’s Sustainable Development.”
One of the participants, Comrade Abdullahi Nasir Nabayi, described the meeting as timely, emphasizing its role in raising awareness about political engagement. “Many youths talk about political parties but aren’t even card-carrying members, which is essential for driving real change,” he said.
Similarly, Princess Gungdi Markus, representing people with disabilities, lauded the initiative and expressed her inspiration from the discussions. She urged women and youth to take active roles in politics, noting that positive change can only come from genuine political participation.
“Those who remain on the sidelines cannot effect change. Only those who take an active interest in politics can make a difference,” she said.
The forum, which featured participants from various political parties, civil society organizations, people with disabilities, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was supported by the National Endowment for Democracy.
