Youth in Politics

Seal of Savannah State

The **Youth in Politics programme** (**YiP**), also spelled **Youth in Politics program** is a student and youth political organization run by the government of Savannah State. The project was created and chaired by Angela Ochello, who was then serving as the Deputy Governor of Savannah State. The primary goal of the program is to encourage more youth to participate in the political process, while also educating students about governance and politics in general.

During the gubernatorial election the previous year, Ochello said she would increase youth development and help young people across the state. After the Governor, Peter Akale, died suddenly following a major car accident, Ochello succeeded him as the next Governor. During her administration, Ochello appointed Sheri Jacobs, the Commissioner of Women’s Affairs, as the new Chairwoman of the Program.

## History

The program was started as a youth development project initiated by the Deputy Governor of Savannah State, who was then Angela Ochello. Ochello was elected along Governor Peter Akale for the ruling party’s election ticket in the gubernatorial of the previous year. Ochello became involved in politics, with a keen interest in advancing education and getting more youth and women involved in the political world.

Once in office, Ochello created a state program that would help more young people, particularly students at universities, get involved in the political process. The state-run program would also help children and students learn about the government, elections, and more. The intuitive became known as YiP, or simply Youth in Politics. Angela Ochello chaired the organization during her brief time as Deputy Governor.

During Ochello’s time as the chair, the organization ran elections in its university wing for the position of Department Social Secretary. Ochello’s daughter, Iffy, contested in the elections wanting to encourage participation in government. She was challenged by Jide Thomas, a student popular at their university. Thomas ultimately won the election by 120 votes.

Following the death of Peter Akale, Ochello assumed the Governorship and succeeded her predecessor after a brief succession crisis. Ochello decided to resign from her position as the program’s chairwoman, believing she should focus her time on other priorities. Ochello appointed her trusted ally and fellow Primrose group member, Commissioner Sheri Jacobs of Women’s Affairs, to succeed her as Chairwoman.

## Structure

Most meetings of the organization are held in the Governor’s Office, universities, or other locations. Sheri Jacobs usually leads the meetings as the Chairwoman. The main objective of the program is to appeal to youth and students in Savannah; the organization must balance members based on income and general interest in politics. The program holds its own elections across various universities in Savannah, including Savannah State College, which is known for its political science department. Most members of the program join to engage in politics while young, and prepare themselves for potential political aspirations in the future.

## List of Chairwomen

Throughout its history, the program has only been headed by two women, Angela Ochello and Sheri Jacobs of the Primrose group.

## See also

* YiP Department Social Secretary election
* Akale Administration
* Angela Ochello
* Ochello Administration
* Sheri Jacobs
* Jide Thomas
* Iffy Ochello