The Neoteric Governance Boot Camp 2021 Lagos (and Abuja) Wrap-up – ConstitutionLab PVC Drive.

Earlier in the year, we launched the Neoteric Governance Boot Camp with a maiden edition that kicked off in Lagos and Abuja. We earlier discussed the highlights of the Lagos Camp here and the Abuja Boot Camp here.

The Boot Camp had a community project component that entailed sponsoring one of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with a mini grant of N50,000, to carry out a community project aimed at practically impacting the knowledge learnt from the Boot Camp to targeted host communities. This was to be done through a competitive selection process vetting the submission of concept notes by the CSOs in attendance.

The submissions received by the Abuja attendees did not measure up to the requirements sought. This resulted in no award being made for Abuja. Lagos on the other hand had very good submissions. However, only one winner could be awarded. That winner was ConstitutionLab. The Community Project carried out by ConstitutionLab was tagged “PVC DRIVE IN EWUPE-IJALIYE, SANGO-IFO, OGUN” and was carried out from October 2021- December 4, 2021.

According to ConstitutionLab, the aim of the Project was “creating awareness on Nigeria’s government structure and how it relates to voting by proving easy to understand reading pamphlet and customized key holder to voters between the ages of 18-25”. ConstitutionLab recorded the following as the key successes of their project –

• “The project attracted not just young people but also the older demographics.
• Over 120 persons (young and old) participated and benefitted from the PVC registration fliers and customized keyholders.
• The reception was amazing, as they happened to be the first NGO to visit the community.”

As is to be expected, such projects will experience challenges. The challenges recorded by them were the following:

• “Poor road network to the venue resulted the sensitization started behind schedule, and this slightly affected the turnout of people at the designated spot provided for it. The team, however, took the gospel to people on the street.
• Also, the date coincided with an ongoing tournament. Thus, this limited participation of young
people at the sensitization venue. After engaging those seated, the team took the street and started engaging youth in clusters.
• We had fewer young people participate compared to earlier projection.
• Lack of equipment for facilitate online registration”.

As an organization, we are immensely proud of the work that ConstitutionLab has done with this laudable community project sponsored by the Neoteric Governance Boot Camp 2021 Lagos Edition. It gives us joy to have contributed significantly in making their project a success and we look forward to more fruitful collaborative efforts with them in the future. And for all the anonymous donors who made giving out the mini grant a possibility and success, we cannot thank you enough. Ordinarily we would have named you and given you the recognition you so deserve but we understand and respect your wishes to remain anonymous.

And with the finalization of the community project component of the Neoteric Governance Boot Camp 2021 Lagos Edition, we officially draw the curtain on the Neoteric Governance Boot Camp 2021 and thank everyone who contributed to making it the resounding success that it was.