The Inspiration Care and Development Centre (ICDC) has unveiled a new project, BetaGovernment, to facilitate an inclusive governance in the state and country, News About Nigeria reports.
The executive Director of the Initiative, Olowolayemo Lawrence, while addressing journalists at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, noted that the project is aimed at empowering Ekiti youths in the pursuit of inclusive governance, leadership and accountability in the state and Nigeria at large.
He noted that the BetaGovernment project will engage youths across the 16 local governments areas of the state in civic engagement, tech-driven project tracking, among others, adding that the voices of youths will be amplified in the pursuit of the crucial values.
“In a time marked by increasing demands for good governance, leadership and accountability in Nigeria, young people have emerged as passionate advocates for change.
“The BetaGovernment initiative aims to amplify youth voices in the pursuit of the crucial values.
“The project aims at developing and executing targeted advocacy campaigns to raise awareness on crucial government issues,” he stated.
Lawrence further noted that the project will also create platforms for youths to collaborate with governmental bodies, promote a two-way communication channel while selected youths will receive training on monitoring government projects and advocating for transparency at the local level, thereby contributing to the overall development and wellbeing of the community.
Speaking also, a board member of ICDC, Martin-Mary Falana, said the project will also counter cybercrime, drug abuse and other ill vices among youths in the state.
“I see many young youth in drugs, internet fraud and other ill activities, this project will be engaging a lot of civic education to energize our youth against these ill vices and looking into the development of the society, as well as seeking inclusiveness,” he stated.
The BetaGovernment project is sponsored by Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) under LEAP AFRICA, and will focus on citizens’ engagement, advocacy, capacity building, tech-driven approaches and research.
