CATYCOI calls on youths to champion civic rights, good governance in Anambra communities
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI), a youth–led non-profit, non-partisan and community-based organization, has urged young people to take an active role in promoting civic rights and accountability in their localities.
The call was made during a one-day Youth Civic Education and Governance Workshop held at the Tony Nwoye Youth Development Center in Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The workshop, attended by 20 youth leaders from various social groups, aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of civic rights. It was also to raise awareness of access to government facilities and services, and equip them with practical skills to advocate for accountability among local government officials.
Declaring the workshop open, Executive Director of CATYCOI, Comrade Nonso Orakwe, emphasized the importance of youth engagement in the electoral system and civic rights. He noted that the organization has empowered over 3,000 youths across the Southeast region and encouraged participants to actively engage in advancing civic rights within their communities.
Orakwe also highlighted the organization’s achievements, including initiatives like “Not Too Young to Run”, “Youth Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija)”, and “Vote Not Fight”, and expressed appreciation to LEAP Africa and other partners for continually supporting their programmes.
One of the event’s facilitators, Mercy Anakor, took the participants through the concept of civic rights, their constitutional basis, and their relevance to citizen participation and national development. She also explained the role of youth leaders in promoting and protecting civic rights through civic education, advocacy, community engagement, and holding public officials accountable.
The workshop featured sessions on understanding civic rights, accessibility to government facilities and services, and strategies for promoting accountability and transparency at the local government level.
In their reactions, participants expressed interests in applying the knowledge gained to promote good governance within their communities. The session concluded with a group discussion, during which participants shared real-life challenges and proposed practical solutions.
www.odogwublog.com reports that the event was part of CATYCOI’s ongoing efforts to promote active citizenship and participatory governance at the local government level, with support from partners including LEAP Africa through the Nigeria Youth Futures’ Fund (NYFF).
