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2023: Yiaga Africa hosts young Northern Candidates in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
About 150 young candidates contesting for political offices in northern Nigeria converged in Kano state for the Yiaga Africa and NotTooYoungToRun convergence 4.0.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Convergence 4.0 is a capacity-building event aimed at training young candidates on the tenets of leadership and governance.
Speaking at the occasion the Development Director of the British High Commission, Christopher Pycroft, has tasked young Nigerians to join politics as their role in political leadership and governance generally is hugely important for Nigeria’s development and democracy.
Mr Christopher Pycroft,
Mr Pycroft explained that “Your active participation as young people is critical to the quality and outcomes of Nigeria’s democratic engagement and progress.”
Adding that “Nigeria is a young country with an average age of its population is just over 17. But young people are too often excluded from Nigeria’s political processes, left without a voice, without influence”
“Inclusive political participation is crucial to building stable and peaceful societies, and to building an effective social contract that establishes the relationship between the state and its citizens“ He added.
Cross section of participants
The Development Director described the passing of the “Not Too Young To Run” Bill as a major milestone.
“It was followed by a clear increase in the number of young candidates and elected officials at the last general election”
“From 5.1 percent of elected officials in 2015 to 6.6 percent in 2019, a modest increase, but an important trend.” he applauded
He explained that despite recording 76 percent of newly registered youths since the last general elections.
Cross section of participants
Adding that, yet at the 2019 general elections, only 46 percent of young people turned out to vote at the Presidential and National Assembly elections
“YIAGA Africa’s assessment shows a decline in young candidature from 2019 to 2023.” he pointed
Mr Pycroft stressed that young women are being further left behind in the push to strengthen youth political participation in Nigeria as women accounted for less than 5 percent of elected officials in the 2019 general elections.
“Nevertheless, I am encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment to youth and women’s participation by organizations such as YIAGA Africa and other partners in the room” he said.
The Development Director revealed that the UK has been a long-term strategic supporter of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Cross section of participants
Adding that “we believe that peaceful, transparent and credible polls in 2023 are fundamental to consolidating the gains of Nigeria’s democratic journey.”
The Development Director pledged that the British High Commission will continue to support and work with YIAGA Africa and its partners to secure a more inclusive and strong democracy.
Cross section of participants
Earlier, the Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo vowed to mobilize support for young politicians vying for elective offices especially those who have competency, character and capacity to address the underdevelopment challenge facing the nation.
Itodo, said the participants were drawn from the northern parts of the country and were mentored and exposed to understanding the electoral law, INEC guidelines, technical resources, leadership skills, and political communication among others to prepare them ahead of 2023 general elections.
Mr Samson Itodo
He said that the aim of the movement is to create awareness on the need to enlighten the youth to summon courage to replace the expired politicians who constituted themselves to the progress of youths in the country.
He noted that the population of the country was dominated by young people but they were not having chance of being elected into governance of this country, a situation that the Yiaga Africa is selling to the youth to wake them up from slumber.
According to him, the political leaders in this country were in minority going by the huge population of the youth in the country.
He however noted that the call is yielding result because for now, “we have elected members between 25 years and 39 who ran offices in 2019 and won their elections.
“Today, over 48 percent of candidates presented by political parties for 2023 elections are young people.”
In his presentation Deputy General Editor of Daily Trust Newspaper Abdulaziz Abdulaziz identified some obstacles that poses seeious challenge to young candidates in including lack of inexperience and resources to favourably compete with veterans politicians.
Abdulaziz Abdulaziz
He therefore advised them to leverage on effective political communication to stand out of the crowd.
“With veterans and moneybags, some of whom have been in the game since the return to democracy in 1999, the space is very competitive. The young aspirant, often by default the person with the least political experience and financial muscle, would have to be ingenious.
“You need to market yourself and your vision directly and aggressively to the electorate. You are your number one
marketer. In marketing yourself, the first and most important issue is defining your vision or message. You need to be clear and definitive about this,” Mr Abdulaziz advised.
He stressed that “To achieve preferability in the minds of the voters. You need to communicate, effectively, in order to stand out from the crowd. You therefore need to reach out the voters as aggressively as you can.”
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.
He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.
Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.
He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.
In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.
He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.
“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.
The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has emerged as a beacon of hope for graduates left stranded due to the previous administration’s negligence regarding academic certificates.
His determination to rectify these injustices has culminated in decisive actions to secure the future of Kano’s youth. Ibrahim Adam, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, shared these developments with the media.
On December 9, 2024, Governor Yusuf traveled to Cyprus with a mission to obtain the overdue academic certificates for Kano students affected by the prior administration’s failure to meet its educational financial obligations.
During a critical meeting with the management of Near East University, the governor focused on facilitating the release of certificates for students who graduated between 2015 and 2019, particularly in essential fields like Medicine and Nursing.
This was confirmed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor’s spokesperson.
In a significant move, Governor Yusuf has settled the outstanding fees of €1.4 million (approximately ₦2.5 billion) owed to the university for 84 medical and2015 to 2019.
This substantial financial commitment honors the dedication and hard work of these graduates, restoring their hopes for a future that had previously been unjustly delayed.
According to Ibrahim Adam, the certificates are set to be handed over to the Kano State Scholarship Board through the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, marking a pivotal moment for the affected students.
Governor Yusuf acknowledged the challenges faced by the graduates, declaring, “This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations, and it has also affected our state, which is in dire need of their expertise.”
His vision for a prosperous Kano is centered on prioritizing education, ensuring that talented individuals can make valuable contributions to the state’s advancement.
The governor’s proactive measures not only address the systemic issues in the education sector but also inspire renewed hope among Kano’s youth.
By fulfilling his promises, he emphasizes the crucial role of supporting young people in achieving their aspirations, which is vital to the state’s growth.
As this milestone is celebrated, it is evident that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s relentless pursuit of educational reform signals a transformative era for Kano State.
His administration’s unwavering focus on education stands as a vital investment in the futures of individuals and the overall development of the state.
Under his leadership, Kano State is poised to realize its full potential, with eager graduates ready to make impactful contributions to their communities.
Governor Yusuf’s commitment to empowering the youth serves as an enduring reminder that with dedication and decisive action, a brighter future is attainable for all.
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