A youth activist in Kano, Mrs Hauwa Mustapha, has advocated for institutional support for the youths at formal and informal levels to build their confidence for political participation.
Mustapha made the call at a virtual conference organised by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support of Rosa Luxemburg Foundation on Wednesday in Kano.
CITAD virtual meeting focused on youths inclusion in politics and governance with the theme “Critical Knowledge Production Series Dialogue: Youths Political Inclusion: How to Strike a Balance Between Age and Principles.â€
In her presentation, Mustapha stressed the need to broaden youths’ engagement beyond the quest for political office, but in policy and programme analysis. “Through formal and informal institutions, the youth can be encouraged and guided on orientation and development of basic skills required for self-development, mental and psychological health.
“There should be a responsible and accountable communication strategy, useful for a diverse local, national and international youth network with common interests,†she said.
Mustapha also traced the Nigerian history and justified how youths were engaged in leadership before, during and after the military rule.
Prof. Murtala Muhammed of Kano University of Science and Technology in his paper, claimed the youths were often excluded from politics for so many reasons. He identified the challenges of youth inclusion in politics to include limited capacity and skills as well as inadequate political knowledge and interest.
He tasked civil societies on adequate socialisation, education, conscientisation and mobilisation for sustainable democracy
and development.