Youths combating education crisis through advocacy

On February 11, Nina benefitted from a one day youth education advocacy training as a member of the National Youth Coalition for Education [NYCE] Nigeria. She shares a summary of the training, the outcome thus far and how the experience is guiding her advocacy works.

Ambassadors #ThumbsUp4Education

Introduction

Over the years, young people have shown their passion and capacity in bringing about change through different advocacy measures. In the Nigerian context, the upcoming elections further provides an avenue for young people to innovatively ensure education is a top priority in the agenda of political aspirants. In view of the above, Connected Development  [CODE] and Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA) convened a one-day advocacy training for members of the National Youth Coalition on Education and other youth activists.

In attendance were 40 youths including 8 Global Youth Ambassadors for A World at School and 6 workshop facilitators and presenters.

Objectives of the Training

•      Build the capacity of youth on the current state of education in Nigeria and inform them on their role   as the strong voices in accelerating the attainment of Education for all. 
•     Train and expose young people to global, regional and national best practices on engagement initiatives around education advocacy. 
•     Discuss young people’s role in promoting accountability and transparency in the implementation of education policies. 
•       Agree on the Coalitions activities for 2015 and way the way forward. 
•      Craft advocacy messages to be submitted to political aspirants on the kind of education young people want in 2015 and beyond. 
•      Promote the #Thumbsup4education, #UpForSchool  and #EducationinCrisis  campaigns.

 Major Sessions

Youths the need to be heard an introduction led by Ojonwa Deborah Miachi GYA-AWAS; highlighted strategies of achieving an effective training on advocacy and informed participants about the outcome of which one was to present young people’s demand and position on the kind of education they want in 2015 and beyond to relevant stakeholders.

State of Education in Nigeria by Chioma Osuji policy adviser CSACEFA informed participants on the state of education in Nigeria and the important role young people have to play in holding the government accountable and ensuring that young people have a say in the creation and implementation of education policies.

Breakout sessions, plenary and presentations by representatives were structured to ensure lucidity in the area of advocacy and the role young people have to play in ensuring education for all.

Role of youths in fostering Education for all by Joseph Emmanuel Director Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa.

Introduction to advocacy and Advocacy strategies by Hamzat Lawal Director Connected Development.

Crafting advocacy statement to political aspirants by Purpose Iserhien.

A World at School Global Youth Ambassadors from Nigeria at the meeting

Seizing an opportunity

Nina Mbah also got the opportunity of meeting some of her fellow Global Youth Ambassadors from Nigeria; Ojonwa Deborah, Happy Zirra, Atinuke Lebile, Charles Ichide, Damola Morenikeji, Gethrude Charles and Purpose Iserhien for the first time. They took the initiative to organize an impromptu meeting after the training to make plans on how to collectively make their voices heard as Global Youth Ambassadors in Nigeria.

Outcomes from Nina

The training has motivated me, deepened my advocacy plans and strategy for my community and country at large starting with my immediate participation in carrying out assessment on the state of education in a camp of Internally Displaced Persons (Victims of Boko Haram) facilitated by CSACEFA. And  it’s currently helping my ongoing advocacy plans to mark the World read aloud day and International women’s day on the  4^th and 8^th of March.
This blog was also published on  A World at School's website