The Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroots Advancement, INGRA, Hamzat Aliyu has advocated youths participation in political leadership.

Hamzat made the call at a one day youth summit organized by the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution in Lokoja.

He stated that there were numerous challenges facing youths in attaining political leadership, noting that such incumbrances should be removed for total youth advancement.

According to him, such challenges include age discrimination, corruption and nepotism as well as limited access to education and unfavourable youth policies.

Hamzat called for improvement in political party ideology and necessary intervention and commended Idris Miliki, the convener of the summit for being focused.

Earlier, the Chairman, Kogi State Youth Development Commission, Mr Lawal Ozomata-James explained that thousands of youths have been engaged under the present administration since the establishment of the commission.

Mr Lawal noted that the office was however faced with some challenges, but assured that there was hope for youth development and thanked Governor Yahaya Bello for his commitment to the course.

The Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, Idris Miliki said the youth summit was to inspire youths for leadership positions.

Idris Miliki emphasized that there was need for intervention considering the low percentage of youths in elective and appointive positions.

He said advocacy, community mobilization, media engagement and institutional strengthening were necessary to chart new course on youth political leadership.

Participants were drawn from selected communities and youth groups from across Kogi State