By Yakubu Salisu, Kano
No fewer than 300 youth and women classified as emerging politicians were yesterday trained on policies, dialogue and budget processes by the Centre for Information Technology CITAD.
According to Isah Garba, Senior Programme Officer, CITAD, the training which is the second phase of the ongoing program has broken the jinx that prevented youth and women from participating in politics.
“Through this training we have equipped the trainees with knowledge and paired them with some mentors that will continue to guide them”.
“We are now having records of them picking forms for various political seats, aspiring to get involved in the process of decision making as it affects their lives and the society at large”.
“Although, the cost of obtaining some of these nomination forms in some political parties are not friendly, they sought for alternatives.
“They have realized they have the potentials to be leaders, to engage in politics and they need to actively engage in politics not only by casting their votes but also participating to be leaders”.
Garba also noted that as a result of such training, most of the political parties are now including the youth and women in the leadership structure of their parties.
” We hope that the next election will come with a stream of young people and women as candidates for various political parties.
“We also want to see them form a network to help them collaborate with any of them contesting irrespective of the political parties.
” I assure you that these young people and women have woken up and we continue to expect more success stories”, Isa added.