As the Edo State gubernatorial election approaches, Muyicx’s Human Capacity Development Academy Limited will kick off a Digital Campaign Education initiative on April 11, providing free training for selected party officials and voters.

Ugiagbe Osamuyime, CEO of MHCD Academy, emphasized the need for this training to address low voter turnout and educate political parties on the significance of digital campaigns.

Osamuyime stated, “Due to historically low voter turnout in Edo State elections, MHCD Academy’s Continuous/Civic Education Programme is launching a Digital Campaign Education Project. The first phase, a one-day seminar on April 11, is in collaboration with the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations, led by Deisy Igaga, and supported by representatives from INEC 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 commence on April 16, allocating classrooms to participants from various political parties.”

Furthermore, the Canvassers Digital Training Project will begin in the second week of May 2024, aiming to digitally canvass registered voters to enhance participation in the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election in September 2024.

Osamuyime outlined the goal of informing political parties about digital campaign importance and offering free training to nominated volunteers from each of the state’s 192 wards. He emphasized gender balance and reserved 10% of spots for people with disabilities. Eligible participants must possess basic literacy skills.

He explained, “The project aims to develop the skills of approximately 1,920 individuals aged 18 to 45 in each political party. It will establish partnerships with certified beneficiaries to train others at the polling unit level through a collaborative approach, thereby saving time, reducing security risks, and cutting traditional campaign costs by over 50%.”