Natives of the Federal Capital Territory, under the auspices of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO), have renewed their call for increased participation of indigenous youths in governance and democratic processes to strengthen community voices across the nation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The call was made during a town hall meeting held in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, with the theme, “Indigenous Youth and Governance: Strengthening Community Voices.”
The town hall meeting brought together youth leaders, traditional rulers, community representatives, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for promoting inclusive governance and sustainable development.
The programme was organised with funding support from the MacArthur Foundation through the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), under a project focused on enhancing the participation of indigenous communities in governance and public decision-making within the FCT.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Chief of Staff of AOIYEO, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Ahmed, said empowering indigenous youths to participate actively in governance was essential to building stronger and more resilient communities.
He noted that sustainable development depends on the active involvement of citizens in democratic processes, stressing that indigenous communities must not be left behind in shaping policies that affect their lives and livelihoods.
According to him, the town hall was designed to build the capacity of young people by deepening their understanding of civic responsibilities, leadership and democratic participation.
“We must encourage our young people to become active contributors to governance. Communities develop faster when citizens are informed, engaged and given opportunities to participate in decision-making processes,” he said.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions on civic engagement, leadership development, citizens’ rights and responsibilities, and the need for stronger collaboration between indigenous communities and government institutions.
A key presentation at the event was delivered by the Chairman of the FCT Youth Network (FCT-YN) Electoral Committee, Barrister Moses Adayilo, who spoke on “Youth Participation in Electoral Processes,” with emphasis on the forthcoming FCT Youth Network elections.
Adayilo described youth participation in elections as a vital component of democratic governance, urging delegates and young people to embrace peaceful, credible and issue-based electoral processes.
He called on participants to reject electoral violence, vote-buying and other forms of malpractice, stressing that competent leadership can only emerge through transparent and credible elections.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of continuous civic education, mentorship and leadership training in preparing indigenous youths for future leadership roles.
Participants agreed that, with the right opportunities, information and institutional support, indigenous youths have the capacity to drive community development and contribute meaningfully to governance at all levels.
They further advocated stronger partnerships among government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and traditional institutions to expand opportunities for youth engagement in public affairs.
The town hall attracted participants from communities across the six Area Councils of the FCT and provided a platform for open dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving on issues affecting indigenous communities.
Stakeholders described the engagement as timely, noting that it had increased awareness of civic responsibilities while encouraging young people to take ownership of the democratic process through active participation and responsible leadership.
The programme concluded with closing remarks by the President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr. Daniel Aliyu Bakka, who commended AOIYEO for championing initiatives that promote youth inclusion and community development.
He urged participants to sustain the momentum by applying the lessons learned to strengthen democratic participation and foster peaceful coexistence in their various communities.
AOIYEO expressed gratitude to the MacArthur Foundation, CHRICED, facilitators, community leaders, participants and other stakeholders for their support in ensuring the success of the programme.
