United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Yiaga Africa, have awarded N1 million grants to 13 young Nigerians to mobilise 5,000 young voters each to register in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration(CVR).
This is disclosed in a statement signed by Mr Mark Amaza, Yiaga Africa’s Senior Communications Officer, and Communications Specialist, UNDP Nigeria, Alison Clement, on Friday.
The statement also said that the awardees were to ensure that the young voters collect their PVCs and vote in the forthcoming 2023 elections.
It said that the winners were chosen through #ThePowerOf18 Challenge which invited applications from young people between the ages of 18 and 30 in 15 states.
‘’The states include Adamawa, Benue, Enugu, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Sokoto and Yobe.
‘’A total of 2,503 applications were received in one week of the challenge with one winner selected per state, ‘’ it stated.
The statement, quoting the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, said: #ThePowerOf18 Challenge was another testament to the creativity and innovativeness of young Nigerians.
It noted that the challenge would also help to bring out the passion and willingness they have for political participation.
‘’We are optimistic that these winners will be instrumental in motivating their peers to make use of their power as citizens in determining the next set of leaders for this country by voting massively in the 2023 election.’’
Also, UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, Mr Mohamed Yahya, said increasing voter participation and making the voting processes accessible to young Nigerians were essential to ensure the country’s future.
“The #Powerof18 Challenge has proven that youths in Nigeria are not only ready but that they have the ingenuity, talent and determination to make a significant impact in the 2023 election, ” Yahya said.