By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
Project in Ekiti State with support from Leap Africa and Nigeria Youth Futures Fund on Friday April 12, 2024 unveiled a project ragged: #BetaGovernment project, in partnership with Leap Africa and with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).
At the program held in Ado Ekiti, Inspiration Care and Development Center (ICDC) proudly announced and unveiled BetaGovernment project, in partnership with Leap Africa and with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).
It was a program in a time marked by increasing demands for good governance, leadership, and accountability in Nigeria, where young people have emerged as passionate advocates for change.
The Executive Director,ICDC)
Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria, Olowolayemo Lawrence pointed out at the program that, “The #BetaGovernment initiative aims to amplify youth voices in the pursuit of these crucial values. Our vision is to foster a government that works for all, prioritizing citizen engagement, advocacy, capacity building, tech-driven approaches, and research.
“The Nigeria We Want
The success of the Not Too Young To Run movement in Nigeria has shown how young people can become more effective in advocating for positive change in the society.
“Through grassroots mobilization, advocacy campaigns, and community outreach initiatives, young people have become more vocal and visible in demanding accountability, transparency, and good governance from their leaders.
“In another way, the EndSARS movement highlighted lack of transparency and trust among many young Nigerians. The grievances expressed during the EndSARS protests were not limited to police brutality but also encompassed broader socio-economic issues such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality among young people.
“Nigeria with a population 200million where over 60% are under the age of 25, Nigeria’s youth constitute a significant demographic with immense potential to shape the nation’s future. However, systemic issues such as unemployment, limited access to education and healthcare, and socio-political marginalization have hindered their ability to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.
‘The establishment of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund represents a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by young Nigerians and harnessing their potential for socio-economic development. Consequently, LEAP Africa in partnership with MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation and Luminate sought to establish the Nigeria Youth Futures fund (NYFF) to provide targeted capacity building, youth ecosystem building and financial support to burgeoning youth-led movements in Nigeria, in order to sustain their work locally and facilitate opportunities for learning.
The Nigeria Youth Futures Fund seeks to address these challenges by providing financial support, mentorship, and resources to young Nigerians with innovative ideas and entrepreneurial aspirations.
‘By investing in youth-led initiatives across various sectors such as technology, agriculture, and renewable energy, the fund aims to foster innovation, create employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth. One of the key objectives of the fund is to promote youth participation in governance and decision-making processes.
“In Ekiti state, Inspiration Care and Development Center will be implementing Beta Government Initiatives under the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund 2024 grants cycle. #BETAGovernment
“(www.inspirationng.com) is a transformative initiative aimed at amplifying youth voices in the pursuit of good governance, leadership, and accountability in Nigeria. Our vision is to foster a government that works for all, with a focus on citizens engagement, advocacy, capacity building, tech-driven approaches, and research.
Objective(s):Advocacy:
“Develop and execute targeted advocacy campaigns to raise awareness on crucial governance issues.Facilitate dialogues between youth representatives and policymakers to foster mutual understanding.Focus on policy advocacy that can bring about change in our society Civic Engagement:
“Organize workshops, town hall meetings, and community events to encourage active civic participation.
Create platforms for youth to collaborate with governmental bodies, promoting a two-way communication channel. Capacity Building:
“Implement training programs for the youth in way to lead and actively participate in governance, advocacy, and decision-making processes that will positively impact their communities.
Project Tracking Using Technology
Selected youth will receive training on monitoring government projects and advocating for transparency at the local level, thereby contributing to the overall development and well-being of our community.
“Towards a prosperous Nigeria the potentials of our young people must be well harnessed to ensure they deliver #TheNigeriaWeWant we believe in the future of this great nation and we believe young people have a critical role to play. We call on all relevant stakeholders in the state to join hands to ensure the success of this project in Ekiti State”. Olowolayemo stated.
For media inquiries and further information, the Executive Director added, “please contact: info@inspirationng.Com
www.inspirationng.com”