Stakeholders at CHRCR engagement calls for adequate budgetary allocation to Kogi youth development Commission

…urges Kogi Assembly to reverse amended LG administration law, says it’s inconsistent with the 1999 constitution

By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja

The Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has called on the Kogi State Government to make adequate Budgetary provisions, to fund the Youth Development Commission adequately, to ensure that they perform their statutory role of improving youth living standard.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the 1-day townhall meeting at community level on inspiring youth for leadership for kogi central senatorial district.

It was organized by The Conscience For Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), at Afims Hotel, Okene Local Government Area, on Thursday 11th January 2024, supported by the Women Trust Fund Nigeria and Macauthur Foundation.

The communique which was signed by Idris Miliki Abdul, Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), equally urged the Youth to demand for Accountability from elected and appointed leaders to improve their standard of living and skills in leadership to improve good governance

While lamenting that money for votes is still a major issue in elections, the group says all stakeholders in elections, need to address the negative phenomenon of vote buying and selling

“Government must always ensure equity in the appointment into public offices, particular to young persons, to improve their leadership development.

“There is need for political parties to ensure that young persons have the opportunity to lead at all levels of the party

“There is need for citizens to fight corruption and encourage Accountability in all spheres of life, particularly the Nigerian youth as it can affect their development and future.

“Amendment of the 1999 Constitution to address the issue of age of contesting for political offices, will address the discrimination of young persons across Nigeria and improve youth in leadership position.

“The Kogi State House of Assembly must reverse the amendment of the Local Government Administration Law, that empowers the State Governor to appoint Caretaker leadership as it is inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and to that extent of its inconsistency, it is null and void*

“The Kogi State Government must as a matter of urgency, conduct elections into Local Government Councils as soon as possible within 6 months, through budgetary allocation in a Supplementary Budget as the current 2024 Kogi State Budget does not make such provision.

The meeting thanked the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) for the on-going sensitization campaign towards improving youth involvement in leadership at state level in Kogi State. It also appreciated The Nigeria Women Trust Fund and the continuous support of MacArthur Foundation.