2019 Election: Uduaghan, Duke, Imoke, Attah, Peterside prepares South-South Youths for Political Leadership in Calabar

Ahead of the 2019 General election, leading politicians from across the 6 South-South states will mentor, inspire and share experiences with over 2000 Young people from South-South Nigeria expected to gather at the South South Edition of the Nigeria’s Emerging Political Leaders Forum in Calabar on the 24th November 2017 at the Calabar Cultural Center from 9am.

The event is part of a National effort to mobilise young people for political leadership across Nigeria. The Emerging Political Leaders Forum is the largest gathering of Emerging Political Leaders and next generation politicians in Nigeria. The gathering provides a platform for learning political and election strategies from experts and political leaders for emerging political leaders. 

How do emerging leaders build a political structure? How do the youths sustain such structure for a long term? Issues of financing, the role of women, breaking the cycle of godfathers, the use of social media and grassroots mobilisation will be at the forefront of conversation between teeming Nigerian youths and South South political leaders expected at the Emerging Political Forum in Calabar with the theme: Winning Against the Run of Play, organised by GLEEHD Foundation.

The South West Edition recently held in Lagos and was attended by over 4000 Young Leaders who interacted with political leaders from various political divides across South West States including Former Governor Segun Mimiko (Ondo PDP), Prof Remi Sonaiya (Osun KOWA), Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila (Leader of the House of Reps), Rt. Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa (APC – SSA to the President), Mr Jimi Agbaje (PDP Lagos), Senator Jide Omoworare (APC Osun), Senator Mamora, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Barr Ebere Ifendu (Labour Party Publicity Secretary), Hajia Fatee Mohamed (PDP), Chief Mrs Sinatu Ojikutu (PDP –  Former Deputy Governor of Lagos)  and others. Panel Moderators included CEO Level Journalists such as Agatha Amatha etc. 

The South-West Forum is being followed by the South East Forum in Imo on Saturday 18th November 2017, and the South-South Forum on Friday 24th November 2017 in Calabar, before heading to Northern Nigeria and the Diaspora.

Confirmed speakers for Calabar are: H.E. Liyel Imoke, H.E. Donald Duke, H.E. Onari Duke, H.E. Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade, H.E Obong Victor Bassey Attah, H.E. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, The Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, Sen. Ben Bruce, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, Sen. George Thompson Sekibo, Hon. Amb Nkoyo Toyo, Dr. Dakuku Adolphus Peterside, Chief (Barr.) Okoi Obono-Obla, Sen. John Owan Enoh, Sen. Rose Okoji Oko, Hon. Chike Ogeah, Mr. Tonye Patrick Cole, Mr Moses Siasia, Dr. Emmah Gospel Isong, Prince Goodwill Edward, Hon. Patrick Ugbe, Mr John Etim Bassey, Hon. Eric Anderson, Mr Dayo Israel, Mr Fela Durotoye, John Upan Odey, Stanley Nsemo, Hon Mike Etaba, John Etim Bassey, Great Ogban, Prince Godswill Edward and many more.

“The Forum will provide a high-level platform for deliberations on how to create more space for younger people (under 40s) in elected public offices by formulating recommendations that will culminate into sustainable youth friendly policies and regulations. The forum will also provide a unique opportunity for youth leaders and aspiring young leaders in Nigeria to network and exchange views on increasing youth participation in the 2019 general election”, says Dayo Israel, the Africa Regional Director of GLEEHD Foundation.

The Calabar Forum organised by GLEEHD Foundation, Leaders Den Calabar and the Commonwealth Africa Initiative will provide a veritable platform for the generation of new Ideas, opportunity for networking, and ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all political levels in Nigeria.

Registration for the Forum is FREE but delegate must register online on www.neplf.gleehdfoundation.org.ng or www.southsouthneplf.eventbrite.com.

Exhibition spaces are available at the Forum for business and individuals interested in showcasing their products and services to the audience. Exhibitors and sponsors should email nigeria@gleehdfoundation.org or call 08166765045,08092953047, and 07068581369.

The event will be followed with a full day training on Political Leadership and Campaign Management by the ReadyRunWin Academy of GLEEHD Foundation on the 25th November in Calabar. This course is accredited by the London Professional Training Center and will provide better insight into electioneering and campaign management for emerging political leaders.

GLEEHD Foundation for Leadership and International Development is an international organisation Headquartered in the United Kingdom established to promote the Development of Africa. GLEEHD is an independent, not-for-profit international organization which seeks to promote Africa Renaissance by fostering Good Governance and Democracy, Advancement of Economic and Entrepreneurial Development, Promotion of Human and Children’s Rights, and Advocacy for Youth Development and Participation in Africa. GLEEHD works to achieve this mission by working in partnership with Africa public institutions, civil society and regional and international development partners. GLEEHD Foundation Nigeria’s Governing Trustee is chaired by the Former Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Dr. Christopher Kolade, with an Advisory Board Chaired by Chief Mrs Opral Benson.