By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo
January 28, 2026
A non-governmental organisation, Leadtops Development Initiative, has trained no fewer than 1,500 youths in Taraba State on how to drive meaningful change in governance through active civic participation.
The capacity-building programme, held on Wednesday in Jalingo, brought together young people from different parts of the state and focused on leadership, democratic engagement and community development.
Speaking during the training, the Executive Director of Leadtops Development Initiative, Mr. Nicholas Oshojah Afeso, described youths as critical partners in governance and nation-building.
Afeso noted that youths constitute about 75 per cent of Nigeria’s population, stressing that such a demographic strength must be translated into direct involvement in governance processes.
“Youths are important because they represent a significant portion of the population. They must participate fully in governance to prepare themselves to take over leadership from the older generation,” he said.
He urged young people to contribute as voters, community organisers, advocates, volunteers, innovators, peace builders and policy influencers, while also assuming leadership roles in both formal and informal spaces.
Afeso further encouraged youths to seek mentorship, volunteer actively, stay informed, engage constructively and uphold integrity in order to influence governance positively at community and state levels.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Taraba State Youth Development Agency, Prince Gara Soyanga Nongha, commended Governor Agbu Kefas for establishing the agency, describing it as a bold step toward youth inclusion in governance.
Nongha disclosed that Leadtops Development Initiative played a key role in advocating for the creation of the agency, noting that the organisation pushed for the bill at the Taraba State House of Assembly in 2018, and urged youths to support one another and work with the present administration to advance development in the state.
