The youth constitute the backbone and future of any nation. In recognition
of this fact, the African Union developed the African Youth Charter, where
it prescribed responsibilities to Member States for the development of
youths. The prescription is borne out of the belief that Africa’s renaissance
cannot be realised if adequate investment is not made in the youth who
constitute about 40 per cent of the African population.

To, therefore support the goal of building the capacity of the youths in
Nigeria, especially Delta State, the African Centre for Leadership,
Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) from 2017-2019, implemented
the project tagged Youths Can Lead. The aim was to build the capacity of
youths interested in political ofces in three Niger Delta states. The
capacity building/training were carried out in two batches. Ninety youths
were trained in Delta State. But during the interview for this book, 60 (50
males and 10 females) of the trainees were interviewed and their
results/stories documented.

Overall, the project delivered tangible and outstanding results in Delta
State. The outcome of the training manifested in more youths in the state
taking membership of political parties, increased participation in
elections, increase in the number of youths seeking elective positions,
appointive positions, improved capacity, sources of income, deepened
advocacy and ownership of advocacy as well as change in orientation and
ideology by the youths.