#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.

PEACE CONCERT 2018: Visual art simulates Youths more – World Institute For Peace Kogi Branch.

The increasing participation of youths in violent activities in Nigeria in recent times is a source of worry to both policy-makers and researchers alike. Most violent activities, ranging from armed robbery, cultism, rape, street fighting, electoral violence, to violence during crises moments in Nigeria are being perpetrated by youths. Yet, the very future of this country depends on the kind of youths the present generation is able to nurture. Youths have a number of characteristics, which include physical stamina, exuberance, intelligence, and perseverance, among others. All these potentials, if properly harnessed, constitute an invaluable asset to any nation. Failure to fully harness these potentials in youths only spells disaster for the future of any nation.

World Institute for Peace Kogi State Branch an organization that is out to curbing menace in the society with the aim of promoting peace, Enhancing humanitarian services and persevering human rights held a Peace concert on the 4th of August 2018. The Organization used visual simulation which is a global art that could queue a range of positive emotion, communication, exploring the past, the present and the future.

The Movie HOTEL RWANDA of 2004 shows tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi peoples lead to a war in Rwanda, where corruption and bribes between politicians are routine. World Institute for Peace Kogi State Branch used the movie as medium to pass the message of peace to the citizens in Kogi state and across the country.

Photos of World Institute for Peace Kogi Team and the youths of Kogi State stands for Peace.

Peacebuilding on the other hand refers to the steps taken by multiple stakeholders towards establishing positive peace in the society. World Institute for Peace Kogi Branch as a Peace seeking organization launches the State Square as a “Peace Circle” for youths in the State to refer to the circle as point that will spark up the ideology of peaceful coexistence setting aside every differences (racism, Religious, Ethnicity). – Administrator World Institute For Peace Kogi State Branch.

Sport speaks to youth in the language they understand – National Youth Council Of Nigeria NYCN Ajaka Ward 1 Sub Chapter Kogi State.

Sport speaks no language, has no race and no creed or culture. In a world where religion and race cause rivalry and war, sport brings something that nothing else even comes close to giving, peace and unity. Whether it is locally, nationally or worldwide we all come together to socialise and appreciate sport, as well as the enjoyment and excitement we get from it. Sport creates teamwork, which makes us work together and look past skin colour, gender, race, religion, flaws and imperfections because we are in it together.

Sport is a language that people all over the world can speak. There are little or no communication barriers when it comes to sport. For many people it is seen as just a game, but it is so much more.

National Youth Council Of Nigeria NYCN Ajaka Ward 1 Sub Chapter in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State sets up a Local Football Competition in such a way that it does not only discover local talents for National and International advantage, but strengthens the unity and peace in the communities that made up Ajaka Ward 1 in Igalamela/Odolu LGA.

The football competition kick started on the 3rd of February, 2018 with fifteen (15) teams that represented fourty-four (44) communities that made up Ajaka Ward 1 in Igalamela/Odolu LGA. The grand final of the competition commences today 14th July 2018 here in Ofuloko Community between Egbehiame and Oguma Football teams.

Comrade Aminu Faruna NYCN Ajaka Ward 1 Sub Chapter President

NYCN uses this privilege and honour to call on the government, private organizations and philanthropist to engage the youths in local sport activities so that they can discover their talent instead of being used as agent of crime such as political thugs.

Hon. Prince Salisu Ogu Sani S.O.S

The Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports Kogi State Prince Salisu Ogu Sani S.O.S commends the group for the great effort in bringing the youth together and treading the path of peace and unity in these communities. He promised to create a tournaments such as this here and in different local governments to foster peace and unity and also for sustainable development in the state to avoid youths being used as agents of destruction.

Egbahiame (Red jersey) and Oguma (Green jersey) Football teams

“Sport creates teamwork, strength, friendships, love, rivalry, competition, growth, endurance, passion, motivation, determination, desire, inspiration, triumph and honour. Things we as people strive to achieve in everyday life and much more.,”

Kogi State Action Plan for Peace and Security of Women and Children (SAP)

Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID and ActionAid Nigeria AAN launch the State Action Plan SAP for Peace and Security of Women and Children.

Kogi State Action Plan for Peace and Security of Women and Children

The State Action Plan affirms roles of the government in protecting the physical, environmental, political safety and security of women and girls from sexual and gender based violence, and in identifying their specific need in time of crisis just like the First National Action Plan of 2013 which expired in 2016, and now still at the National level we have the second Edition of 2017 disseminated by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Central to our programmes is the full enjoyment by female and male citizens of theirs rights, reducing inequality; promoting gender responsive public service – Mrs. Tassalah Chibok Director of Programmes, ActionAid Nigeria representing the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria Mrs. Ene Obi.

This framework is inline with ActionAid Nigeria strategic objectives which is working to protect women and girls from violence, create opportunities for economic independence and decision making; Enhancing women’s leadership in accountable humanitarian and resilience system. – Mrs. Tassalah Chibok – Director of Programmes, ActionAid Nigeria representing the Country Director ActionAid Nigeria Mrs Ene Obi. She emphasized that women increasingly bear the major burden of conflict, they are neither consulted at the onset nor partake in conflicts of any such but are always at the receiving end. Women are forcibly displaced from their localities and forced to flee to other places finding refuge in camp settings where they are at risk of attack and discrimination, to put a stop to this the state launch an Action Plan for Peace and Security of Women and Children who are in no doubt the most Vulnerable in the state and the country as a whole.

The Secretary to the State Governor Mrs. Ayoade F. Akire (Phd) representing Her Excellency Mrs. Rashida Yahaya Bello Wife of the Executive Governor of Kogi State

Her Excellency Mrs. Rashida Yahaya Bello Wife of the Executive Governor of Kogi State ably represented by the Secretary to the State Governor Mrs. Ayoade F. Akire (Phd) pointed out that in the New Direction Agenda of the administration prioritized the security of lives and property of everyone in the Kogi State, hence the commitment of my office to support the implementation of this State Action Plan which will no doubt enhance the inclusion of women in all ramifications of peace.

The implementation process SAP has begun since the awearness is already created – Mrs. Bolanle Amupitan Commissioner for Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development

Mrs. Motunrayo Josephine Babatunde Director Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development presented the Overview of Kogi SAP for the Peace and Security of Women and Children and the journey so far, She stated that the SAP asserts commitment to;

It is believed that if well implemented it will result in improved participation and representation of women in governance, security and peace processes.

Gender sensitive and responsive policies and practices in Kogi State in respect of women inclusion in governance, peace and security, Inauguration of committee as a critical part for the implementation of SAP for protecting and promoting the interest of women in Kogi State to mention a few. She also emphasized on the five pillars of the State Action Plan, she said that the five pillars are derivatives of the National Action Plan (NAP). Hence SAP aligns with its strategic objectives and will contribute to its success.

Group photo: The State Advisory Committee on Kogi State Action Plan for Peace and Security of Women and Children and the Wife of the Executive Governor representative at the Launch.