Manifesto of Umo Eno, OBA, Akan Udofia Lacking Sustainable Youth Development Framework- Youth Development Cluster Raises Alarm
By Ekemini Simon
The Youth Development Cluster, Akwa Ibom State (YDC-AKS) has issued policy alerts and advisory on exclusion of sustainable development framework for the youths and the vulnerable in the manifesto of the top three gubernatorial candidates in Akwa Ibom State.
The Youth Development Cluster noted that a thorough analysis of the manifesto of the gubernatorial candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Umo Eno, Young Progressives Party, Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) and All Progressives Party, Akanimo Udofia revealed that none has a clear cut direction on what they will do to be sustainable for youth development.
The Youth Development Cluster, Akwa Ibom State is a network of organisations working to improve the socioeconomic situation of young people in Akwa Ibom State through strengthened policy frameworks under the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project implemented by Palladium and funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
At a media briefing held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, the Project Lead, Ndifreke Patrick explained that while all three parties reviewed highlighted their activities and initiatives with attempt at improving youth development, none of the three parties reviewed offered a sustainable policy framework that could be said to have a clear and comprehensive framework or plan to actually expect different and better outcomes for youth development as at the time of review of their manifestos.
The cluster said they particularly find these gaps worrisome as it would suggest that the thinking that goes into developing campaign manifestos seems to be far detached from the realities of the people with respect to the peculiarities of citizens challenges and asks in the bid to create an equitable, productive, and enabling society where young people can pursue and achieve their dreams.
The cluster offered insight to the fact that the manifesto of the selected party candidates analysed were based on two factors which are: Global Youth Development Index (YDI) and The Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund (AKYDF) Bill.
He said ” The YDI is a measure of the process that enhances the status of young people, empowering them to build on their competences and capabilities for life and enabling them to contribute and benefit from a politically stable, economically viable and legally supportive environment, ensuring their full participation as active citizens in their countries whereas the AKYDF Bill is a bill for a law to implement a sustainable youth policy framework.”
“A key objective of the AKYDF is to create economic development opportunities through a legally established, independent, and recognized institution saddled with this duty.”
They noted that after failure of the government of Akwa Ibom State to provide strategic policy framework that provides direction and action plan for youth development in the state notwithstanding that there is youth bill passed by the state house of assembly (AKYDF Bill) still awaiting assent by the Governor and the proposed State Youth Policy by the Ministry of Youth and Sports awaiting release of allocated resources for formulation of the policy to commence, they had to shift attention to the Akwa Ibom State gubernatorial candidates in the 2023 elections.
The cluster added ” It is usual practice that for political candidates seeking public offices especially the office of the governor to base their campaigns around lofty promises for young people e.g. job creation, empowerment, thriving businesses, and enabling environment for ideas to take off and scale up.
“However, the youth development cluster is concerned that these promises are never implemented and has continually lacked the right structure, strategy, political will, and legal framework to be implemented on a relevant scale and in a sustainable way.
“Therefore, the cluster decided to analyze the manifestos of frontline political parties considered by popular public opinion via a poll to be in the leading race for the office of the Governor which are YPP, APC, and PDP in no particular order.
They emphasised that major recommendations that are fundamentally foundational to the expected youth development outcomes are the sustainable youth development framework contained in the Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund (AKYDF) Bill awaiting assent of Gov. Emmanuel Udom and the formulation of a State Youth Policy awaiting the committee setup and release of funds for commencement of the process.
The cluster advised that in the event of any concerns nursed about the policy instruments being proposed, the gubernatorial candidates of these political parties should be at liberty to have a round-table policy dialogue designed to propose superior solutions for the good and profiting of young persons in Akwa Ibom State.
Also speaking, Miss Joy Ubong of the Family Centered Initiative for Challenged Persons (FACICP Disability Plus) pointed out that the manifesto of the three Gubernatorial Candidates did not capture issues of inclusion for youths with disabilities.
She added ” Ignoring plans and programmes for youth with disabilities mean one thing; dependence. You are encouraging them to keep depending on others with disabilities. These ones do not enjoy been burden to others. With good plans, persons with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to the society.
” We are bringing this up so as to open the eyes of party members to these dire gaps and also help gubernatorial candidates to be inclusive in their plans”.