MiND Seeks Qualified Youth Inclusiveness To Edo State Governance

…Says government should set up on agency for the immediate and effective implementation of the Edo Youth Agenda

By Simeon OSAJIE

Mentoring Individual’s Dream (MiND) Initiative, a non-profit, non-political and non-governmental youth focused civic hub of active democratic change has demanded from  state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki 45% of all appointive positions to qualified youths (18-35 years) in order to allow inclusive governance that will lead to more sustainable development in the state.

The assertion was made by Peter O. Aguebor, Executive Director Mentoring Individual’s Dream (MiND) Initiative  during public presentation of  EDO YOUTH AGENDA (a data representation of Edo State Youths Demands From Government) to journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Addressing journalists at a press conference, Peter Aguebor said Mentoring Individual’s Dream (MIND) Initiative is a non-profit, non-political and non-governmental youth focused civic hub of active democratic change makers that are passionate in the advancement of good governance and civic rights, anti-corruption, climate action and youth engagement. “We do this by attracting reforms through data driven advocacies, building of active and informed citizens via capacity development.

“Over the years, MiND Initiative had continually partnered with both local and international organizations to actively engage our citizens in environmental friendly initiatives, support and advocate reforms in our democratic process that achieves a more sustainable development for the Africa continent. Our core values are centered on accountability, result-oriented, inclusion, integrity, innovation and teamwork with a mission to influence all-round citizens’ participation in the democratic process and to have informed climate change agents in our society.”

According to Aguebor, MiND Initiative decided to carry out survey across the 18 local government areas of Edo state by administering a total of 360 questionnaires, 20 each in the 18 LGAs of the State after the 2020 September 19^th Edo Governorship election.

He said the demographic data of the respondents shows that 54.5% of the respondents are male while 45.5% are Female.  The respondents include students, employed and unemployed youths, farmers and entrepreneurs.

“Our research team developed a data collecting tool known as the Edo Youth Priority Needs Questionnaire (EYPNQ) with special regards to the respondents’ ethnical view and the tools were administered by our deployed enumerators to reach the randomly selected audience in the local government areas. Also key informant interviews were conducted with major stakeholders and experts from Edo state who had real-time information on youth development to get them informed perspective on the reality of the happenings in the state via phone calls so as to reduce persons to persons contact.

“From the survey, Edo state youth demand that the present government focuses more on Education, Employment/Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, Agriculture and Security during his second tenure. It is the hope of Edo state youth that the government will as a matter of public interest expedite action to implement the five priority needs of the youth as they are committed to push this demand till it gains full implementation.  This agenda is expected to stimulate intense conversation among Edo state youths on youth active inclusion in decision making, good governance and service delivery that will bring about a  more robust sustainable development in the state.

“Our survey report shows that 65% of the total respondents identified Education (18%), Employment/Entrepreneurship (15%), Security (13%), Health (10%) and Agriculture (9%) as the top priority developmental issues the current governor should focus on in the remaining period of his administration.

Going further, Aguebor said that MiND Initiative recommended that Edo state government should make strong commitment by signing a pledge on implementing the youth’s agenda.

“The governor should immediately review his MEGA Agenda to accommodate the demands in the Edo youth agenda with special focus on gender inclusion and people with disability (PWD).

“The state government should dedicate minimum of 52% of the state annual budget to address the issues identified in the youth agenda with education allocated “15 – 20% as recommended by the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) while Employment/Entrepreneurship. Security Health and Agriculture be allocated 8% each.

“The governor should dedicate a minimum of 45% of all appointive positions to qualified youths (18-35 years) in order to allow inclusive governance that will lead to more sustainable development in the state.

“The government should set up on agency for the immediate and effective implementation of the Edo Youth Agenda.”