A Youth advocate group, the Not-Too-Young-To-Lead Initiative has kicked off partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission, Delta State, on voter education, voter sensitization and mobilization.

Leader of the group, Mr Elvis Akpobi, while addressing journalists shortly after a Courtesy call on the Resident Electoral Commissioner, stated that the group paid the visit to foster a working relationship with INEC so as to help curtail voter apathy by increasing voter awareness and electoral actions in Delta State.

Mr Elvis Akpobi and his team who were received by the Management team of INEC in Delta State noted that leaving the responsibility of facilitating a robust electoral processes and creating awareness to just INEC alone would be a tedious task hence the need for collaborations especially on voter education, voter sensitization and mobilization.

The group pointed out that with the level of voter apathy among the younger generation, steps must be taken promptly to arrest the ugly trend in order to avoid the mistake of allowing a few who might be less informed to elect leaders for the larger populace.

Responding to the team, the INEC REC, Pastor Udoh Tom ESQ, ably represented by the Administrative Secretary of the Commission in Delta state, Mr. Austin Hoadun Esq appreciated the Not-Too-Young-To-Lead-Initiative for taking steps to help advocate for reforms aimed at strengthening electoral system, which by implication will facilitate greater reforms through the ballot in Nigeria. He added that collaborative efforts especially through electoral education, sensitization, mobilization and also observations has brought the commission thus far.

He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is always open to collaborations which will enable it achieve its core mandate. He pointed out that the commission had begun engaging young stakeholders on electoral processes and has also taken a conscious step further by engaging the younger generation through social media, adding that this is visible through the Continuous Voters Registration for data capture which is now being hosted on an Android platform, one which majority of Nigerian youths are versatile with.

He stated it is very risky and totally dangerous for youths to surrender the sovereignty of determining leaders to a micro few who more often times than not do so for a few pennies, at the detriment of the majority of the population.

While commending the group, he further admonished them to continue with the good work, avoid distractions by increasing their level of engagements with relevant stakeholders.

He used the opportunity to call on youths to shun thuggery and all societal vices, adding that meaningful engagements which facilitate collaboration for better policy reforms are more profitable.

Not-Too-Young-To-Lead-Initiative is a youth advocacy group which is famous for efforts towards encouraging youth inclusiveness in political reforms and policy formulation across Nigerian and in other African Nations.

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Not-too-Young-to-Lead Initiative Partners INEC on Voter Education, Sensitization and Mobilization