From Awareness to Action: Young People in Abakaliki Take the Lead

When discussions about community development take place, young people are often described as the future. In Abakaliki, however, many are already proving they are part of the present.

Recently, COPE Foundation hosted a civic engagement workshop in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, bringing together students, youth leaders, entrepreneurs and community volunteers for a day of learning, discussion and action planning.

The event focused on a simple but important question: What happens when young people understand their rights, responsibilities and ability to influence positive change?

Throughout the session, participants explored topics such as community leadership, accountability, civic responsibility and active participation in local development. Rather than relying on lengthy presentations, the workshop encouraged open conversations and practical problem-solving.

Participants identified challenges affecting their communities, including youth unemployment, poor access to information and limited opportunities for meaningful engagement. Working in groups, they developed ideas for addressing these issues through collaboration, advocacy and volunteer-led initiatives.

One of the most memorable moments came during a discussion on leadership. Several participants shared stories of local projects they had helped organize, from environmental sanitation campaigns to peer education programs. Their experiences reinforced the idea that meaningful change often begins with ordinary people taking small but deliberate actions.

For many attendees, the workshop provided a fresh perspective on what civic engagement truly means. It is not limited to elections or politics. It includes everyday actions such as community service, accountability, dialogue and collective problem-solving.

Speaking during the event, Mr. Azubuike Mgbebu emphasized the importance of investing in young people as partners in development.

"Communities become stronger when young people are equipped with knowledge, encouraged to participate and given opportunities to lead. Real progress happens when citizens move from awareness to action."

As the workshop concluded, participants committed to staying connected and supporting initiatives that promote positive change within their communities.

The conversations that began in Abakaliki are expected to continue long after the event itself. And if the energy in the room was any indication, many of those young people are already preparing to turn ideas into action.