By Abiodun Azi |
The European Union has partnered with an international organisation, SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria, to train 105 youths on Democratic Governance in Nigeria.
Mr Francis Onahor, Programme Manager, Community Life Project and facilitator of the programme, on Wednesday in Lagos said that the training was in two sessions.
He said it was hinged on Peace building, Mitigation, Human Rights, Gender and Participation, and Training for Youths on Eye Witness reporting (Citizen Journalism).
Onahor said that the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), as part of its implementation activities, was working to transform societal and cultural norms, values and behaviours.
He said it was also working to reduce violence, promote dialogue and negotiation and address fundamental causes of electoral and other violence in six states in Nigeria.
He said that the programme, which took place in six Nigeria states representing the six geopolitical zones, was aimed at strengthening the capacity, participation and representation of youths in the promotion of peaceful and non-violent election.
The programme manager said the participants were educated on how to accurately report events, the dangers of fake news reporting and how to report to appropriate media platforms using the street multiplier approach.
“The trained youths will be supported to step down these trainings to their members; participants were also informed on how to identify and verify false news stories/information before sharing.
“The objective is to build the capacity of the youths in peace building and civic participation, encourage their participation and stakeholders’ engagement toward a violent-free and credible election in the state.
“The participating youth community groups were drawn from Oshodi and Ikeja Local Government Areas (LGAs) because the project covered the two LGAs in Lagos state,” Onahor said.
The Lead Consultant, Brandware Nig, Mr Ayodele Arowosegbe, said the programme would expose the youths to national issues and create a deep sense of responsibility toward national development.
Arowosegbe, who facilitated the second session, said that the training exposed the participants to peace building, how to become peace advocates, citizen journalism and how to use it among others.
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