The Role of Youth in Strengthening the Democratic Transition in Nigeria

June 09, 2011
03:00 pm - 04:30 pm

Featuring

Kingsley N. T. Bangwell
Founder and Project Director,
Youngstars Development Initiative (Youngstars Foundation)

Moderated by

Oge Okoye Onubogu
Program Officer, West Africa

Biography

Kingsley N. T. Bangwell is the founder and project director of longtime NED partner Younstars Development Initiative, a youth training and advocacy organization based in Jos, Plateau State which has worked with thousands of rural and urban youth in Nigeria. Youngstars Foundation recently produced a short video with support from the National Democratic Institute and USAID, titled “My Vote Fit Change Naija” which depicted how voting for democratic leaders has a direct impact on the quality of life for Nigerians. United States Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, tweeted her support for the video via twitter, and the video itself reached over 10,000 hits on Youtube.

Kingsley Bangwell is a recipient of the 2008 Ashoka fellowship, a service award for social entrepreneurs from around the world. He is also a 2009 recipient of the Young Global Leaders award, a three year award given to individuals below the age of 40 who are significantly impacting their countries in the business, governance, and economic sectors. He was presented with this award at the 2009 World Economic Forum in Jordan. Bangwell was elected as Architect of the Future by Waldzell Institute in 2009, and in 2010 he was the first Nigerian elected as a member into the Bretton Woods Committee.

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