The Kimpact Developmental initiative (KDI), the Nigerian partner of the United States-based National Democratic Institute (NDI), has embarked on youth engagement across the country towards promoting electoral reforms and effective governance.
During a recent visit to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja, KDI’s Programme Director, Sannom Sarki briefed the NUJ leadership on the various initiatives undertaken by the body to engage critical stakeholders, including members of the National Assembly with regards to the implementation of electoral reforms for the advancement of the democratisation process in the country.
Sarki, who was accompanied by KDI’s Senior Programme Officer, Gbemisola Adebowale, explained that KDI has been collating feedbacks from its engagements across the six geopolitical zones. According to her, these included a national survey of over 4,000 youths across the country which focused on the youths evaluation and assessments of key aspects of the country’s electoral processes, with the ultimate goal of promoting electoral reforms and effective governance.
She solicited the support and collaboration of the NUJ in achieving these objectives, emphasising the importance of enhanced relationship between the two organizations.
According to the Programmes Director of the NDI Nigeria, Mr. Ben Aga, the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing collaborative relationship between the organisations and exploring ways of discovering new frontiers especially in the area of electoral reforms.
He expressed his organisation’s readiness to work closely with the Yahya-led administration to achieve shared collective goals.
He also emphasised the importance of the mutual relationship between the NDI and the NUJ and stressed the need to further strengthen this partnership to achieve greater mutual objectives.
Aga underscored the significance of the developmental initiatives being undertaken through its partnership with KDI, which is aimed at orientating Nigerian youths towards participating actively in the democratic governance of the country.
NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya pledged that the union would work closely with the two civil society organisations.
He said that the union would leverage on its structures across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory.
He also extended invitation to the NDI and KDI to attend the forthcoming National Executive Council meeting of the union to make a presentation.
In attendance with the NUJ President were the National Secretary, Achike Chude; and the Assistant National Secretaries, Korede Opeyemi and Tita Onyebuchi.
The highpoints of the occasion was the presentation of mobilisation materials and group photographs.
