Chudi Ndubeze
Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI), a youth–led non-profit, non-partisan and community-based organization, has empowered Ebonyi youths to demand accountability from local government officials.
The one-day workshop tagged: "Youth Civic Education and Governance," was held at the Daughters of Virtue & Empowerment Youth Training Centre in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The event brought together 20 young leaders to strengthen their understanding of civic rights, improve awareness of government services, and develop advocacy skills for accountability in local governance.
Declaring the event open on behalf of Comrade Nonso Orakwe - CATYCOI Executive Director, Amaka Ezeliora said the workshop was to educate youth on their civic rights and responsibilities as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
She said it was to identify key government services available at the local level as well as identifying barriers to accessing them. She also stated that it was to provide strategies for improving accessibility to government facilities and services, equip participants with tools for citizen-led advocacy and accountability and foster community engagement and participation in governance processes.
During a session on "Accessibility to Government Facilities and Services," a Facilitator: Mr Azubuike Mgbebu urged participants to champion accountability in their localities, including advocating for services that are not up to standard in their local government.
Other facilitators, Chima Oliver and Amaka Ezeliora, covered "Understanding Civic Rights", and "Advocating for Accountability of Local Government Officials," respectively, emphasizing constitutional guarantees and strategies for improving access to government services.
The workshop climaxed with interactive sessions and role-play activities which equipped youths with tools for citizen-led advocacy through petitions, community forums, and media engagement.
Participants also declared commitment to forming community advocacy groups and monitoring governance at the local level