Four leading civic society groups in the country have concluded plans for a debate tournament at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, aimed at sensitizing over 1,000 youths drawn from the 36 states of the country on the need to participate more actively in governance and the nation’s political process.

The event christened “Nigeria Youth Conference and Debate Tournament,” with the theme: “Towards Increased Youth Participation in Governance”, has been scheduled to hold from March 23 – 26, 2022, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University,

Organisers of the youth conference are Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN), The Nigeria Citizens Initiative (TNCI), Society for Women Mentoring and Advancement (SWOMAAD), and Southern & Middle Belt Alliance (SaMBA) in collaboration with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Debate Club (NAUDC), a Chapter of the Nigeria Debating Community (NDC).

A statement signed by Prince Rwang Pam Jnr. on behalf of the five organisations, the SaMBA Spokesman stated that the four-day event would feature debate contests among 400 students from major Nigeria Universities and award of prizes.

The statement added: “There will also be seminars with Guest Speakers, including politicians, community and religious leaders, captains of industry and the academic community.

“Other issues to be explored are: “Addressing the challenge of Youths and Political Apathy,” “Rotational Presidency and Nigeria's Democracy,” “Addressing Political Inequality and Imbalance through Zoning of Political Offices,” “Women Inclusiveness and Gender Balance in Governance” and the “Role of the Media in Ensuring Political Equity.”

“The aim of the conference is to transform our youths from being onlookers at the side-lines of politics to an enlightened and competent group of stakeholders prepared for leadership responsibilities.

“Youth, not oil, will be Nigeria’s greatest assets by 2030. So, the primary aim of this event is to uplift the Nigerian youth from the fringes of leadership to an educated and distinct social demographic of a competent body of young people prepared for leadership.

“We expect at least 1,000 youths from Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, drawn from the 36 States of the federation, to attend the event."

The conference organisers said the groups were serious about ensuring that the Nigerian youths participate actively in the next general elections because the future of Nigeria “is indeed, in their hands.”

“We want the youths to understand that their future is in their hands so they must participate effectively as the country actively seeks to elect a president from the private sector with a proven track record of job and wealth creation,” the organizers stressed.