#NaijaVotes2019 implemented in the various senatorial District of Kogi State by Passionate and Patriotic Youths.

The quality of Nigeria’s 2019 elections will have repercussions on the future of democracy across the continent. This depends on citizens! Participating in elections is the foundation of the broader role citizens must play to keep a democracy strong and healthy. Youth are stepping up to play their part to ensure Nigeria continues to be a democratic country.

Young African Leaders Initiative YALI Network Kogi with partnership support of United state Embassy in Nigeria and working in collaboration with the CSOs in the State implemented NaijaVotes campaign which encourages Nigerian youth to: boost voter participation, promote voting with integrity, encourage truth and accuracy in information-sharing, and inspire communities to reject violence in west, central and east senatorial district of Kogi state.

Miss Bilikisi State Chairperson Advocacy for Women With Disability initiative AWWDI sensitiazing the citizen of Osaragada, Kogi Central on the roles women and special women have to play during the upcoming election

Mr. Mayaiki Program manager YALI Network Kogi with the people of Ejule, Kogi East

Vox Populi (Voice of the people) #Naijavotes at Lokoja Kogi West

Short video on #Naijavotes Community Dialogue in the various Senatorial District of Kogi.

Over 3000 persons reached directly across all three senatorial districts. From feedback received in the course of engagement. Vote Buying, Voter Apathy and Electoral Violence were the most pressing issues on the mind of the electorates. Responders also called for a more transparent and credible election process from the Independent and National Electoral Commission.

Personal Insights/Quotes

Before this Community Dialogue with YALI Network Kogi, I believe my vote doesn’t count, but now it does.- Mr. Idowu Musa Osaragada community Youth leader Kogi Central.

I can not risk my life to because I want to vote oo.. But i think i can even make the election safer for myself and my community – Mrs. Aisha Gatekeeper Osaragada community

Ejule, Lokoja and Osaragada Community at the East, West and Central Senatorial District respectively in Kogi State recieved our message with so much gladness , the negative narrative of electioneering process was changed and citizens in these communities were transformed greatly – Miss Eunice Emmanuel Bagi State coordinator YALI Network Kogi

YALI NETWORK KOGI FACE TO FACE MEET UP Featuring ELECTION/INAUGURATION OF NEW EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network Kogi was on a new bridge, after a successful completion of office for the first, previous executives and an inauguration of new executive members who will champion the leadership activities of the group in the state for another one year as prescribed.

The session which was held during the August Face to Face meeting, at federal university Lokoja involves a mentorship session, deliberations, goodwill messages from Regional Leadership Center Alumni, Nomination, Presentation of candidates and their Manifestoes from candidates as provided within YALI rights, voting and inauguration of new Executive members.

During the auspicious moment, the Mentor for the month, Ovo Otarigho, Executive Director, Impact Driven Young Initiatives and Coordinator YALI Network Abuja while taking the mentoring process and thereafter coordinates the process involved in electing the new executive members, ensure strict YALI rights as provided, providing advice’s and suggestion, speaks on the needs to sincerely involves in impact driven acts of volunteering within the groups, its activities, spur growth, prosperity, good governance and the likes in our community.

Ovo Otarigho, Executive Director, Impact Driven Young Initiatives and Coordinator YALI Network Abuja during the Face to Face Meeting.

YALI he said is all about capacity building through academic coursework, leadership training, professional development and networking; relevance in our current sociopolitical climate, all paramount to shaping our societies because as an act of patriotism respiring volunteering, we disapproves any form of injustices. He encouraged the new YALI Kogi executive and other members to work as a team irrespective of their position or incentives from any where.

The mentorship session was a hone to arise in youth the courage and practice of entrepreneurship, civic leadership responsibility, community development, promoting innovation and positive impact, prepare them to lead their societies, organization, institution, community and the country as a whole with integrity.

Mr. Umar Danasebe Mohammed the Election Umpire during the Electoral Process at the Face to Face meeting

After a thorough mentorship session, there was a free, fair nominations, consultation and election. Afterwards there was casting, sorting and counting of votes for the two candidates contesting for the post of deputy state coordinator, an unanimous capacity based nomination, recommendation conclusion for the previous state coordinator to continue as it is for another durations and for the other newly nominated/elected executive members (Public Relation Officer, General Secretary, Program Manager and Social Media Manager).

During the Inauguration of the Newly Elected YALI Network Kogi Executives

The auspicious ceremony which comes to an end with networking among members, invited guest, merriments and with a group photographs.

Group photo of the Abuja Coordinator YALI Network, Newly elected Executives of YALI Network Kogi and the members

The newly Elected and Inaugurated Executive Members for YALI Network Kogi are:

*Eunice Emmanuel-Bagi* STATE COORDINATOR

*Victor Akabueze* DEPUTY STATE COORDINATOR

*Kareem Abdulraheem Onivehu* GENERAL SECRETARY

*Fatima Aminu* FINANCIAL SECRETARY

*Husseini Kabiru Omale* PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER

*Abdulslimzy Maiyaki* PROGRAMS MANAGER

*Jimoh Godwin* SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER.

Your Vote Your Voice, Sell Not!!! – NGOs, CSO, Youth Groups and CBOs warns.

In a democracy, a government is chosen by voting in an election : a way for an electorate to elect, i.e. choose, among several candidates for rule.

Voting is a method for a group, such as, a meeting or an electorate to make a decision or express an opinion, usually following discussions, debates or election campaigns. Democracies elect holders of high office by voting. Residents of a place represented by an elected official are called “constituents”, and those constituents who cast a ballot for their chosen candidate are called “voters”.

Vote buying and selling been an issue in democracy, hereby obstructing democratic process, yet they remain pervasive in many developing democracies.

Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID in collaboration with Hands Across Africa Development Initiative and Activista Kogi State with support from ActionAid Nigeria organized a day Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on Vote Buying/Selling and Election Violence in the upcoming 2018 Bye Election for the Lokoja/Koton-Karfi Federal Constituency and 2019 General Elections, in view of the recent 2018 Gubernatorial Election in Ekiti State Nigeria.

The Consultative Meeting aimed at stopping Vote Buying and Selling which is undermining the electorates in freely electing their representative and leaders which could lead to electoral violence in the state especially at the grassroot level.

Mr Idris Miliki Abdul Executive Director Centre For Human Rights and Conflict Resolution CHRCR during his presentation on Vote buying/selling and electoral violence: The implications for Lokoja/Koto August 11th 2018 Bye Election and 2019 General Election

INEC will ensure a level playing field for all participating political parties – Prof. James Iorham Apam Resident Electoral Commissioner Kogi State.

The media has promised to purge itself of fake news and unethical reportage that is capable of causing disaffection and electoral violence – Mr Ibrahim Adejoh – Radio Nigeria Prime FM 101.5 Lokoja.

Civil Society Organization, Youths, Women groups, Community Based Organization, Association of Persons with Disabilities and the Security agencies who Participated in at the Consultative meeting says No To Vote Buying and Selling in the State.

Participants holding Placards and pledging for a peaceful upcoming 2018 Bye Election and 2019 general Election

Group photo of the Organizers and the participants at the meeting.