As parts of its activities to ensure better participation of women in and youths in electoral process ahead of the July 16 governorship election, the US Government Exchange Alumni Osun State Chapter, on organized an Osun State Town Hall meeting.
The meeting was held in Osogbo on Tuesday, was graced by women and youth stakeholders drawn from different groups and organisations. Some political office holders and candidate in future elections were also present at the event.
According to organisers, the engagement is to find a way towards increasing women and youth participations in elections and reduce voter apathy.
Addressing the audience, the Chief Executive Officer of Rave FM, Dr Femi Adefila, told that gathering that the main essence of having the forum find how to have a participatory and inclusive democracy in Nigeria.
He said “in few days time, we’re having Osun state governorship election and next year we’re having Nigeria presidential election. How do we achieve participatory and inclusive democracy. This to me is the main focus of this event.
” In Nigeria, we have 101 million women data statistics we have 33.6 million youths and these two demography are not as active as they should be in our democracy and democratic process. Something mist be done to increase their participation. The most important thing for now is to sensitize them and gravanize their Interest by awakening their consciousness that it’s a civic responsibility to participate and they should take it very seriously.
In an interview with Insightmedia, the Executive Director of Women on Social Justice, Mrs Mojirade Aminu, emphasised that women should be encouraged to participate more in electoral process, to aspire for political positions in the state and country.
She said the record has shown that women have held several Ministerial and other appointive positions and have performed excellently well in that regards.
“We’re are sensitizing our women of the needs to participate better on politics and governance. At least they should have prerequisite knowledge or what it entails. They need to belong to a political party. e have to let them know the electoral process and we’re working on that”, she said.
She called on the organisers to ensure programmes as such are held at regular interval to ensure that more people are informed on this”very important assignment “.
One of the participants, Elizabeth Omojoye gave her insight on the need to increase the youth participation in politics.
She said “platform should be given to youths, a lot of youths are really interested. They’re zealous about participating in election and politics, but the platform is not there as the present platforms are too expensive and not encouraging for youths”.
Present at the programme are the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Dr Ademola Bayonle, Osun House of Assembly member, Adewumi Adeyemi, among others.
They also charged on your person to ensure they participate in politics and to preach against votes buying.
