Ukodhiko’s phenomenal plan for youth engagement ~ Truth Reporters

 

By Dio Oghale-Emejoereda 

The development of youth leadership is critical to building civic capacity and long-term community sustainability. When youths develop useful skills and build self-confidence, we establish capable, effective leaders for the next generation. 

The PDP House of Representatives candidate for Isoko Federal Constituency, Pastor (Engr.) Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko has said his representation if elected, will include youths in governance and for this he has designed a programme to create a model of youth empowerment through direct participation in the Federal Constituency. He said the overall goal is to bring a youth voice to community issues while developing confident, independent, and motivated youth leaders. 

Youth in governance simply means youths and adults working together in positions of authority to make decisions and take action to strengthen organizations, communities and society. 

The engagement of youths in governance is imperative because it has been identified that two top priorities which emphasizes public support for the role of youths in building healthy communities and a vital democracy includes: Creating a culture in which youths are equal partners in decision making and governance; and Encouraging youths for community service and civic involvement. 

Data from a 2010 Search Institute study, “Developmental Assets: A Profile of Your Youth", documented that only 20 percent of youths perceive that their community values the youth; and only 24 percent believe that youths are given useful roles in the community. These results were among the lowest of all the assets measured and were lower than similar assets measured at a national level.  

In direct response to these results, the PDP flag-bearer for the Isoko Federal Constituency, Pastor Engr Jonathan Ukodhiko has agreed to involve youths massively in governance by engaging them with various leadership roles and positions. 

The benefits of these engagement for the Isoko youths are enormous including; Youth volunteers have a voice in decisions that affects them; As youths become stakeholders and change agents in communities and organizations, they bring perspectives, knowledge and relationships that lead to better decisions and more productive action; Youths in governance promotes positive outcomes among youths. It teaches the skills of active citizenship such as understanding how decisions are made and how to organize, plan, and communicate; and finally our civil society is strengthened when youths become informed and thoughtful citizens. Young people with skills, knowledge, commitment, and experience can reflect upon the common good, become full members of their communities, and take political action. 

For an all inclusive governance and representation, let’s support, mobilize, canvas and vote Pst. Ukodhiko Jonathan Ajirioghene for House of Representatives, Isoko Federal Constituency, come 2023. 

Written by Dio Oghale-Emejoereda Emeka Rex 

Uzere Ward 04.