The Executive Director, Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) Africa, Samson Itodo, has said the initiative behind the gathering of young political aspirants in Nigeria is aimed at empowering and preparing them to run successfully in the next general elections.
He disclosed this in his remark at the Convergence 3.0, held at Victoria Island, Lagos.
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“We are not politically partisan, so we are working with all political parties in Nigeria,” he said.
According to Itodo, the Convergence 3.0 is the largest gathering of young people running for elective office in the 2023 elections in South-West Nigeria.
“The conference is designed to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and networks for running effective political campaigns and winning elections.
“With the inspiration, knowledge, and solidarity the Convergence series provides, young people running for elective office will surmount the challenges of securing party nomination, money politics, and managing electoral operations,’’ he said.
The speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, said the role of Yiaga is to encourage youths’ participation in politics.
“Today, we have two members under the age of 30 in Oyo State Assembly and this has come to reality through the ‘Not too young to run’ bill lobbied by Yiaga,” he said.
Music star, Olubankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, urged young Nigerians to play active role in politics.
“If you don’t take the step towards leadership, you will be led by your inferiors,” he said.