- says youths represents the very essence of this great nation
- aims to maintain, engage youths productively to build a stable democracy
The African Union Secretariat of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC which fosters and consolidates partnerships between the African Union (AU) and civil society organisations is collaborating with the National Association of State Assembly Legislators, NASAL to kick-start the youth mentorship programme.
The event which took place at the AU-Ecosocc secretariat in the FCT, Abuja, was themed ” One Youth One Legislator mentorship” in commemoration of the African Youth Day fixed for November 1st aims to give the youths the needed support and platform to build their vast potentials and also co-create solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in the nation.
In the opening speech made by the Nigerian Representative, Dr. Tunji Asaolu, described the mentorship programme as a platform that will engage and mentor youths on areas of legislative engagements so as to build sustainable democracy and law making in Nigeria.
He said the project is in line with the African Union project 4E’s which describes the African Union 1 million youth empowerment by 2021 which basically focuses on Education, Engagement, Employability and Entrepreneurship with a view to provide the needed platform to avail the African Youths and Nigerian Youths in particular to contribute to the national and international development.
Asaolu, says that AU-Ecosocc, has overtime embarked on deeper collaborations with relevant stakeholders to support government efforts in providing engagements and employments for the Nigerian youths and hence collaborating with NASAL will help leverage on all leakages and network to employ seamless implementation of the initiative, while taking advantage of the over 900 members of the 36 State House of Assembly, the Federal House of Representative and Senate both serving and former.
Also speaking, the Director General of the National Association of State Assembly Legislators, NASAL, Mr Uchechukwu Chukwuma, revealed that the One Youth One Legislator mentorship programme will see youths assigned to legislators in a mentor and mentee relationship to harness their hidden potentials and empower them as they represent the very essence of this great nation.
On the issue of gender inclusivity, Chukwuma revealed selections will strictly be on merit and there shall be no discrimination whatsoever. he further reiterated that with the involvement of about 109 Senators, 360 house of Reps members, 990 State Assembly members and 7568 councilors as mentors the programme will be to resuscitate lost values, patriotism, leadership development, skill acquisition, productivity and self reliance.
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