Training Student leaders to engage in civic activities on campuses has remained the major strategy to get students involved in governance through the STUNT project. STUNT which stands for strengthening Student Network for Inclusive Development is a Ford Foundation funded project Initiated by Youth Alive Foundation. On 9th May, 2019, the second cycle of training with students from six (6) tertiary institutions in Lagos was held. The participants shared experiences on their cycle 1 and some of the challenges they encountered during the step down training. The training which featured group work, plenary sessions and exercises allowed participants to give feedback on the cycle 1 step down training exercise before they were briefed on the cycle 2 vision and expected outcome. The participants were also tasked to draw a problem tree that reflected the cause and effect of their respective issues with guidance from the facilitators. There was also a special session on stakeholders mapping, how to leverage on relationships and networks and Strategies for running an advocacy campaigns.
Mr Seun Awonsanya popularly known as Segalinks, a renowned advocate for social change with massive followers on Social Media was invited to train participants on using social media to create social change. He also shared his personal experience in the field of advocacy how he used the #Endsars to attain a national relevance through his consistent messages on police reforms. At the end of the training, presentation of certificates was given to students who participated and they made promises to follow up on all the theories and practical sessions with tangible action. The objective of YAF to empower youths is in line with this training because of the long-term benefit from knowing the right methods of advocacy on getting governments to meet the demands of the Nigerian Youth. Youth Alive Foundation have a clear vision to create an enabling environment to harness and nurture youths through informed, innovative and value driven programs for personal, community and national development. At large, the STUNT project is just one out of the many other avenues.
