The Yargote Foundation says it has introduced a community-based leadership structure for graduates of its boy-child development programme to encourage responsibility and community participation.
The foundation’s founder, Mrs Anna Hussaini, said this in an interview with reporters in Abuja on Sunday.
Hussaini said the initiative was designed to keep graduates engaged after they completed the six-month programme.
Known as the Yargote Community Improvement Squad, it encourages the boys to take responsibility and contribute meaningfully to their communities, she said.
According to Hussaini, the graduates elected their executives in mock elections, using ballot papers to choose leaders to coordinate their activities.
“They elect their executives. We have a constitution, and they have appointment letters and badges.
“They meet from time to time, and they decide what they want to do to improve their community. We are there to guide them and support them,” she said.
Hussaini said the structure gives the boys opportunities to practise leadership, collaborate and take part in decisions affecting their communities.
She said the foundation stays in touch with graduates through monthly visits, a WhatsApp group and regular follow-up messages.
“We visit them every month. We have a WhatsApp group where we communicate with them, send videos and messages, and follow up on what they are doing.
“We are not going to hands off on them. We are in it for life, as it were,” she said.
Hussaini said continued engagement was important to ensure the boys received guidance and support after completing the programme.
She added that the squad would encourage them to apply the values and lessons they had learned to address challenges in their communities.
The Empower the Boy Child Project is a six-month foundation initiative for boys aged 10 to 19.
