The Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF) has expressed optimism that Samson Itodo’s expertise in politics and effective leadership campaigns in Nigeria will bring great value to the foundation’s work.
The foundation recently announced the Yiaga Africa Executive Director as a member of its board as the nonprofit seeks to promote and sustain its activities.
Chairman of the foundation’s board, Elhadj As Sy, who announced Itodo’s appointment to the board in a statement, said he was particularly happy to welcome the Nigerian to the board.
‘At a time when half of the world’s population is younger than 30, and as urgent challenges require improved and more inclusive governance at all levels, his expertise and commitment to the inclusion of young people in politics and effective leadership will bring great value to our work’, Sy said.
For her part, the Executive Director of the foundation, Corinne Momal-Vanian, said, ‘Several of us have worked with him over the years in promoting democracy and youth inclusion, and we know what an effective organiser and farsighted thinker he is’.
In his response to the appointment, the Yiaga Africa boss, who recently bagged a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, made a commitment to contribute to sustaining Kofi Annan’s legacies and actualising his vision of a democratic, peaceful and prosperous world.
‘I am elated to be joining the team of brilliant and visionary world leaders committed to advancing the foundations’ work in building institutions that promote the common good and empowering citizens to drive social change’, the foundation quoted Itodo as saying.
The lawyer and democracy activist – with over a decade of experience in elections, governance, and civic engagement – has facilitated legislation and policies on constitutional and electoral governance, youth, and civic engagement that transformed Nigeria’s political and civic space.
He successfully led the #NotTooYoungToRun movement to lower the minimum age for elective office in Nigeria.
The campaign was later adopted by the United Nations, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Itodo, who is also a member of the Board of International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), has also served as Research Facilitator for the United States Institute for Peace (USIP).
Photo source: Samson Itodo
