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The Soft Nigeria programme that is aimed at driving youth inclusiveness in governance has been unveiled in Asaba, Delta State capital.

At the colorful event that brought in a mammoth crowd of youths who came from across Delta State, at the Orchid Hotel, Asaba there were many speakers, including MS Kokomo Okoh, who said that Soft Nigeria exists to simplify governance in a way that people will understand the system and engage in better. She said what was unveiled is not just a movement but one that is focused on civil and political advancement.

Mr. Woye Adeyemi, who spoke on “Youths as partners in governance: Constructive advocacy versus destructive agitation”, said that Nigeria’s demographic realities makes youth inclusion not optional but imperative. He said: “Constructive advocacy strengthens institutions while demanding reform. Destructive agitation weakens the very systems required for long-term change,” Adeyemi stated.

Dr. Oritsegbegbemi Maurice Ojoede, an APC chieftain and Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Political Affairs, described the initiative as a vehicle for transforming frustration into constructive democratic capital.

He said the movement would focus on town halls, campus dialogues, and community engagements across the 36 states to explain reforms in job creation, education, cost of living, and economic opportunities.

Also in his keynote address on youth engagement in governance, Mr. Uche Mgbakor called for a decisive shift from violent protests and unstructured agitation to constructive, policy-driven advocacy, insisting that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on treating young people as partners rather than problems.

Speaking on the theme “Youth as Partners in Governance: Constructive Advocacy versus Destructive Agitation,” Mgbakor argued that youths constitute Nigeria’s largest demographic force and remain the most affected by policies on employment, education, technology, climate change and democratic reforms, yet are often excluded from decision-making processes.

The address noted that globally, institutions such as the United Nations and the Africa Union Commission have consistently emphasized meaningful youth participation, stressing that symbolic inclusion is no longer sufficient in modern governance systems.

According to the him, partnership in governance goes beyond voting or street protests and includes youth participation in policy formulation, representation in decision-making bodies, monitoring of public accountability, and innovation in public service delivery.

Drawing a clear distinction between advocacy and agitation, the speaker described constructive advocacy as peaceful, organized and evidence-based engagement aimed at influencing policy and reforming institutions. Destructive agitation, by contrast, was said to involve violence, vandalism and disruption without viable policy alternatives—often undermining public sympathy and weakening democratic institutions.

Historical examples of youth-led constructive advocacy were highlighted, including nationalist movements, global civil rights struggles and contemporary climate activism championed by figures such as Greta Thunberg, to demonstrate how strategic engagement can translate dissent into lasting reform.

The keynote said unemployment, political exclusion, corruption, police brutality and weak institutional response as major drivers of youth frustration that often degenerate into destructive agitation. While acknowledging the legitimacy of such grievances, the speaker warned that violent methods ultimately damage infrastructure, deepen polarization and invite state repression.

On the role of government, the address stressed that creating an enabling environment for youth participation was essential. It cited reforms and policy commitments under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that inclusive governance, transparency, civic education and protection of civic space are critical to channeling youth energy into democratic development.

The speaker also challenged young people to uphold their own responsibilities by improving political literacy, engaging in electoral processes, promoting ethical leadership and translating protest demands into workable policy proposals. Concern was raised over the prolonged leadership crisis within the National Youth Council of Nigeria, which was cited as an example of how internal dysfunction can weaken youth credibility in governance.

The keynote concluded that youth are not peripheral actors but central stakeholders whose choices will determine democratic resilience. It emphasized that while grievances may be valid, methods matter, noting that constructive advocacy strengthens institutions, while destructive agitation weakens the very systems needed for sustainable change.

“Young people are not threats to governance,” the speaker declared. “Empowered, informed and responsibly engaged youth are the greatest assets any democracy can have.”