Brain Builders Engages 36 Youths To Track State Governors’ Performance
A non-governmental organisation, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has engaged 36 Youths across 36 states of Nigeria to track performance of State Governments in terms of youth inclusiveness and good governance.
The BBYDI Global Director, Olasupo Abideen disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin, at the launching a groundbreaking platform called YouthGovTracka, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s pursuit of a more accountable, inclusive, and engaged governance system.
Olasupo said 36 focal points were selected from over 700 applicants, noting that they were trained Dapo Olorunyomi of Premium Times, Seun Onigbinde of BudgIT and others for six weeks.
According to him, democracy is more than just a system of governance; it’s a promise of empowerment, a commitment to the people.
He observed that the spotlight of citizen scrutiny has been fixated solely on the Federal Government, neglecting the impactful decisions made at the state level.
This imbalance has led to unfulfilled promises, overlooked needs, and missed opportunities for progress, especially for our vibrant youth and marginalised groups. But that must change. Tapping from the zeal and vigour of Generation Z, we are leveraging technology and citizen advocacy to hold our state governors accountable for the promises they’ve made for our youth’s development.”
“We present YouthGovTracka—an innovative online platform, a beacon of hope, and a catalyst for change. This initiative, spearheaded by the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), aims to bridge the gap between our youth’s aspirations and our state governor’s actions.
He noted that BBYDI has meticulously selected and trained youth focal points. You can call them warriors for change in each of our 36 states.
“Our focal points will use it to track data, enumerate the promises made and monitor their implementation. But we won’t stop there. We’re not just watchers; we’re doers. Our focal points will spearhead community development projects aligned with our menu of commitments —projects that echo the promises made and demand accountability.
“Prioritizing Youth Voice in Governance empowers the young to shape governance processes. Support for Young Candidates champions and supports aspiring young politicians.
“Creating Safe Civic Spaces fortifies legal frameworks for the security of young advocates, artists, journalists, and bloggers. Developing Participatory Mechanisms fosters channels for young people’s governance participation.
He added that the Citizen Accountability toolkit will guide citizens on how to articulate and demand what’s rightfully theirs from the government.
Meanwhile, the toolkit has been translated into our diverse local languages, such as Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba, ensuring every citizen can engage, understand, and demand their rights.
He said the youth focal points will engage critical stakeholders in every state, building bridges between leaders and those they lead.
