Commonwealth Youth representative-Nigeria

The post of the Commonwealth youth representative has been one of active representation and advisory and integration of youth efforts in allignment with regional focus.

In time past the RYC member has been charged with the responsibility of enhancing youth participation in development in their communities and Nigeria has not been left out.

Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima was actively involved in intergovernmental integration on youth development in Nigeria and during his four years tenure as the rep, we worked assiduously on the African Youth charter, in fact he is described in certain quarters as a major player in the achievement of the African Youth charter

In 2009, his tenure ended and I took over march 2010 as the Commonwealth Youth Representative for Nigeria.

In March 2010, The Commonwealth Regional Mid term review meeting of senior government officials was held in Abuja and during the meeting an action plan to guide the works of RYC members was developed and by consensus I was adopted as the Deputy Chairperson for the African Regional Youth Caucus

One might want to ask what do I intend to achieve within the next two years of my tenure

1. Lobbying the Ministry of Youth Development to make it more assessable for youth organizations in Nigeria.
2. Mainstreaming the national Youth council of Nigeria-Lobbying of stakeholders of the National Youth Council to fully integrate active youth organizations and Networks within Nigeria into its structure
3. Propositions of Youth Fund Bill- this involves three processes which includes:
a. Gathering the support of stakeholders and youth leaders’
b. Writing and sending the youth bill to the house of assembly
c. Lobbying members of the house to pass the bill.
4. Integration of Youth leadership in Nigeria- this I hope to achieve by using the neutrality of my office to serve as a rallying point for bring together youth leaders. This also includes formation of a Nigerian Youth leadership Hub.
5. Engaging policy makers on expected target for youth development in Nigeria.
6. Active participation and reporting of youth activities within the Country in my quarterly report to the Commonwealth Secretariat
7. Implement the task allotted to me in the action plan for RYCs
8. Carryout my duties on the regional scene as the Deputy Chair for Africa region

It is based on the above mentioned that I believe my work as the Youth representative will be judged and criticized after two years.

In line with the above mentioned I have kick started the first point on the action which involves youth organizations and the Ministry of youth development.

I am sending is as a call to my colleagues to reach out and work towards the goal of youth development in Nigeria in a united format…, letting go of personal gains and benefits. I seek your help in making this happen and look forward to working with everyone.

Please you can reach me by mail
asalaewajesu@gmail.com

Thank You
EwaJesu Asala
Nigerian Representative: Commonwealth Youth Caucus
Deputy Chairperson, Commonwealth African Regional Youth Caucus.
Country Director-African Women and Youth Organization