By Israel Mbam
To effectively implement Ebonyi Active Citizens Project (EACP) and to further strengthen youths involvement in community development, a non governmental and non for profit organisation; Community Outreach and Empowerment Foundation (Cope Foundation) has trained thirty community Active Citizens Advocates that will further step down the project in the EACP State. The training programme supported by YIAGA Africa and through funding from National Endowment for Democracy had participants drawn from Abakaliki, Ezza South and Ikwo Local Government Areas.
The participants were trained on ways of promoting civic awareness, encouraging active participation and supporting inclusive governance in Ebonyi state.
Speaking at the training held at the DOVENET office in Abakaliki on Saturday March 14, 2026, the Executive Director of COPE Foundation, Mr Azubuike Mgbebu, said the project was to among other things, increase civic awareness among youths and women, turning passive citizens into active ones.
He explained that the trained Advocates, are to step down the training in their various communities with each targeting at least, 10 trainees, forming a network to advance the goals of the project.
He also emphasised that the main goal of the project was to build a more responsible and accountable governance with citizens actively contributing to develop and make the society better for all.
The COPE Foundation Executive Director advised the advocates to exhibit high ethical values and respect the rules of community engagement as they proceed to train others and execute the project in their various Communities.
He also noted that COPE Foundation remains focused on supporting youth, women leadership development and community development, among other areas of intervention.
Also speaking In a paper presentation, one of the resource persons and the Executive Director of Development and Integrity Intervention Goal foundation, Chief Oliver Chima Ajah, observed that most leadership failures result from the apathy and passivity of citizens, hence the need to sensitize the citizens to become active citizens.
“Democracy works best when citizens are actively involved in decision making. When citizens participate in governance, leaders become more responsible and accountable, community problems are also better identified and addressed when citizens are involved.
“Active participation also strengthens transparency and ensures that public leaders work for the benefit of the people”, he stated.
He called on participants to always get interested in happenings within their community and to also influence other members to show interest in social and political affairs of their communities as well as demand accountability from their leaders.
In an interview with journalists, some of the Participants including Emmanuel Nwojiji from Abakaliki LGA and Calista Igboji from Ikwo, said the training has enriched them with more knowledge about their obligations, roles and responsibilities as active citizens. They pledged to employ the acquired capacity to influence other citizens, and drive the needed change in their communities and LGAs.
All the participants were issued certificates at the end of the training and empowered with field guides and step down training tool kits.
