As the Edo State governorship election approaches, Muyicx’s Human Capacity Development Academy Limited will start providing free Digital Campaign Education for chosen party members and voters beginning on April 11.
Chief Executive Officer of MHCD Academy, Ugiagbe Osamuyime, conveyed South-South PUNCH that the training became necessary to tackle the issue of low voter turnout during elections and educate political parties about the importance of digital campaigns.
He explained, “Due to low voter turnout in past Edo State elections, MHCD Academy Continuous/Civic Education Programme is initiating the Digital Campaign Education Project for political parties, their campaign volunteers, as well as voters.
“The initial phase of this project, a one-day awareness seminar scheduled for April 11, is being organized in collaboration with the Conference of Non-Governmental Organization, led by Deisy Igaga, and with support from representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission Voter Education Department, Edo State National Orientation Agency, and Artisan Development and Networking Organization. Following this, a five-day Train-The-Trainers Certificate Course will begin on April 16, with the allocation of classrooms to participants from various political parties that will be involved.
“Additionally, the Canvassers Digital Training Project will start in the second week of May 2024, with plans to digitally canvass registered voters to increase participation in the upcoming Edo State governorship election in September 2024.
Osamuyime stated that the aim is to inform various political parties about the significance of digital campaigning and the willingness to assist them in training a minimum of five and a maximum of 10 nominated volunteers from each of the 192 wards of the state in digital facilitating skills, all free of charge.
He added, “An essential aspect of this training for us is ensuring gender balance, while also reserving 10 percent of spaces for individuals with disabilities. However, interested participants should be able to read and write, among other criteria.
“The project will enhance the skill development of about 1,920 individuals aged 18 to 45 in each political party, establish partnerships with trained beneficiaries to further train others at the polling unit level through collaborative methods.
“The project will help save time, significantly reduce the risk of insecurity, and decrease the cost of traditional campaigning by over 50 percent, among other benefits.”
