On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, We the People convened a community youth training event in Rivers State as part of the continuing #IncludeNaija initiative, supported by the European Union. The session brought together over 100 young activists, reformers, and community leaders from Oroworukwo, PH-Okrika, Elimgbu, Eneka, Rumuodara, Rumuokoro, Woji, Ogbunabali, PH-Town, Borokiri Waterside, Choba, and beyond. The engagement responded to the urgent challenge of youth exclusion from governance and decision-making. Despite being the most vibrant and populous demography, young people in Nigeria remain sidelined in democratic processes, reinforcing a cycle of disillusionment, low participation, and restricted opportunities to lead.
The event began with an opening address by Ken Henshaw, Executive Director of We the People, who challenged the age-old notion that “youth are the leaders of tomorrow.” He stressed that “tomorrow never comes,” urging young people to claim leadership roles today. While acknowledging the success of the NotTooYoungToRun campaign as a milestone, he pointed out its underutilization due to entrenched political systems that stiffle young voices. His message was clear: demand space, seize space, and occupy space.
Grace Appolos, Esq., Programs Manager at We the People, followed with a session on “Our Rights to Participate: Expression, Assembly, Opinion, Vote & Freedom from Abuse.” She unpacked these constitutional rights, equipping participants with knowledge on how to defend them and channel them into active citizenship. Grace emphasized that youths cannot wait for rights to be handed down; they must be asserted through collective action, civic participation, and consistent demand for accountability.
In his presentation on “From Theory to Practice: Practical Examples and Models of Youth Human Rights Engagement,” Enefaa Georgewill, Executive Director of RIVSCO urged participants to rethink dependency on political “godfathers” and avoid being pawns in the game of sponsorship. Instead, he advised young people to seek mentors who share their values and vision. He also warned against the “herd mentality” that makes youth passive followers rather than deliberate decision-makers. Drawing from the #EndSARS movement, he highlighted both the power and pitfalls of youth mobilization — the ability to shake the nation, but also the challenge of sustaining the gains.
Throughout the session, participants engaged in vibrant discussions, questions, and reflections, demonstrating a strong appetite for knowledge and a commitment to democratic inclusion. Many pledged to take the lessons back to their communities and mobilize peers who were unable to attend.
The session closed with a resounding call to action: young people must step beyond observation and into leadership. They must organize online and offline, demand genuine representation, defend their votes, run for office, and work across religious, social, and ethnic divides. Only by fully occupying the civic space can Nigerian youth secure their rightful place in governance and protect human rights for the future.
