"NUJ Partnership Key to Electoral Reforms - NDI, KDI"

NUJ Partnership Key to Electoral Reforms - NDI, KDI

By Ramlat Muhammad Lawal, Kaduna 

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and its Nigerian partner, Kimpact Developmental Initiative (KDI), have sought the support of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in promoting electoral reforms in the country. A delegation from the two organizations paid a courtesy visit to the NUJ National Secretariat in Abuja, where they met with the union's leadership.

The leader of the delegation, Mr. Bem Aga, Program Director of NDI Nigeria, expressed his organization's readiness to work closely with the NUJ to achieve shared collective goals. "We are eager to strengthen our existing collaborative relationship with the NUJ and explore new frontiers, especially in the area of electoral reforms," he said, emphasizing the importance of the mutual relationship between NDI and NUJ.

Mr. Aga also underscored the significance of developmental initiatives being undertaken through the partnership with KDI, aimed at orientating Nigerian youths towards participating actively in the democratic governance of the country.

Lady Sannom Sarki, Program Director of KDI, briefed the NUJ leadership on the various initiatives undertaken by KDI to engage critical stakeholders, including lawmakers at the National Assembly, on the implementation of much-needed electoral reforms. "KDI has been collating feedback from its engagements across the six geopolitical zones, including a national survey of over 4,000 youths across the country," she explained, soliciting the support and collaboration of the NUJ.

In response, the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, pledged to work closely with NDI and KDI. "We will do all we can to fully collaborate with NDI and KDI, leveraging on our structures across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory," he said, extending an invitation to NDI and KDI to the upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union.

The visit is expected to mark the beginning of a renewed partnership between the NUJ, NDI, and KDI, with positive outcomes anticipated in the areas of governance, youth development, and robust media engagements.