2015: Youth ministry signs MoU with UNDP/GDP

By Albert Akota

The Ministry of Youth Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/ Democratic Governance Development (GDP) for implementation and enhancement of youth participation in the 2015 general elections in the country.

At the signing of the MoU at the weekend in Abuja, Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna, said the partnership was to develop and consider the critical role of youth in Nigeria’s capacity to conduct free, fair, peaceful and successful general elections in 2015.

According to him, the partnership would help strengthen collaboration between UNDP/GDP and the ministry in the aspect of capacity building of youth in electoral process and good governance in Nigeria.

He said “Earlier this year, we partnered Commonwealth youth council on a similar project. The ministry made a commitment to Nigeria youth that government would continue to make concerted efforts to provide them the opportunity to participate actively in decision making processes and other initiatives aimed at promoting peaceful participation in the electoral process.

“Nigeria’s elections is a national project that covers the six geo- political zones of the country and its three components. The capacity building aimed at acquainting the youth with their expected roles in transparent, free and fair elections as well as equip the youth with the basic skills to participate and make their vote count in the 2015 general election,” the minister said.

Speaking earlier, the UNDP/GDP Project Director, Mourtada Deme, commended the minister for accepting to work with them to ensure free and fair elections ahead of 2015 general elections.

He added that the 2015 general elections in Nigeria was a big concern to his agency even as he stressed that the agency would work assiduously to ensure the youths participate in the poll.