AfriPulse
The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF) has called for increased opportunities for women and young people in governance, describing their inclusion as vital to Nigeria’s political renewal and sustainable development.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equity and youth participation in decision-making processes at all levels.
In line with this year’s theme of the International Day of the Girl Child, “Empower Her Voice, Secure Her Future”, the forum announced that its forthcoming national engagement, tagged “The Patriotic Awakening”, will reserve 49 per cent of its platform for young women as discussants—a deliberate move to strengthen their participation and visibility in governance.
Speaking ahead of the event scheduled for Saturday at Arewa House, Kaduna, the National President of UNYF, Comrade Olajide Toriah Filani, said the forum’s decision underscores its belief that inclusion must go beyond token representation and evolve into genuine empowerment.
“Our decision to give young ladies a 49 per cent representation in this Saturday’s engagement reflects our belief that the voices of women must be central in the conversation about Nigeria’s rebirth. The girl child today represents the leadership strength of tomorrow,” Filani stated.
He said the session, themed “Nigeria the Way Forward: UNYF Setting the Pace in Nigerian Politics—The Emergence of a New Nigeria”, will assemble young leaders, policy thinkers, and reform advocates to chart practical pathways toward national renewal through integrity, visionary leadership, and collective action.
Filani described the patriotic awakening as a clarion call to Nigerian youths to rise above despair, embrace unity, and lead the charge toward a more responsible and inclusive nation.
“This is the time for Nigerian youths to own the process of national renewal—one youth, one dream, one destiny,” he declared.
The UNYF president reaffirmed the Forum’s readiness to continue driving initiatives that empower young Nigerians, especially girls, to become agents of peace, innovation, and national development.
Recently, UNYF called on the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, to prioritise accessibility, transparency, and institutional accountability as he assumes office.
The National President, Filani, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, stressing that the credibility of future elections would depend largely on how inclusive and accessible the voter registration process becomes under the new INEC leadership.
Filani expressed concern that millions of eligible Nigerians remain disenfranchised due to administrative bottlenecks and limited access to Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
He noted that although INEC had introduced several digital innovations, many citizens, especially those in rural communities, still lack internet access and other digital infrastructure.
Source: Guardian Nigeria | Read the Full Story…
