The Centre for Gender Studies (CGS) Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has organized a mentorship and interactive session aimed at equipping young women with leadership skills and promoting their active participation in student union governance.
The initiative targets young female students in their first and second years of study, with the goal of nurturing future leaders and strengthening female representation in decision-making spaces within and beyond the university.
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In her welcome remarks, Director of CGS BUK, Dr. Safiya Nuhu, stated that the program is designed to mentor and train young women in leadership, governance, and political engagement.
She noted the underrepresentation of women in leadership and political spaces and emphasized the importance of including young women’s voices in policies and development initiatives.
Dr. Safiya stressed that the mentorship session aims to ensure that female students’ perspectives are reflected in institutional and societal policies, while also fostering their personal growth and awareness of leadership opportunities.
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Delivering a goodwill message, Angela Odah, Program Manager of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, explained that the mentorship session is part of the Include Naija project, a three-year initiative aimed at promoting the fundamental human rights of Nigerian youth and enhancing their participation in democratic and national development.
Angela noted that the project, which targets 240 young female students from BUK, University of Abuja, Veritas University, and Nasarawa State University, is aligned with the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, aiming to promote youth inclusion and leadership.
The session featured two distinguished mentors Honourable Saudatu Sani and Barrister Aishatu Dan Kani, both former student union activists who shared their personal journeys and insights.
They guided the students through interactive sessions on student union participation, female leadership roles, career planning, and life beyond university.
Moderated by Dr. Maryam Liman, the interactive session provided a platform for mentees to explore leadership roles and build networks for future opportunities.
Some of the participants, including Surayya Hamisu Sabo, Laura Ayodeji, Hassan Isma’il, and Na’ima Mas’ud, described the session as timely and empowering.
They pledged to make effective use of the knowledge gained to influence positive change on their campuses.
The mentorship session is part of CGS BUK’s broader commitment to gender equity, leadership development, and youth empowerment across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The mentorship session tagged Include NAIJA -Inclusive Democracy and Empowerment Network for Active youth in Nigeria, was organized by CGS BUK in collaboration with Rosa Luxemburg foundation.