As Nigeria democracy grows, what specific ways can you contribute in the next 1year in making it a more vibrant democracy
Posted by Youngstars October 21, 2011
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blessing
The Nigerian society has come a long way since she gained her independence. Over the years we have since old hands governing the affairs of our country over and over again we have since these old hands been recycled! As Nigeria grows what i can contribute as to make her a vibrant democracy is;
a) calling on youths to stand up and take the reins of some areas, we complain about the country but how many youths in the past election stood up to at least campaign even if not elected but try to be nominated by showing interest? i am happy that youths came out to vote but we should also be activate in allowing our fellow youths vote for us too,we may not start from the top,it may be from our ward,district,community, local Government and so on, i believe if we come out en mass we will have a vibrant democracy.
b) a developing and informed society will help a vibrant society- youth seminars could also go a long way, youths are looking forward to a push, if we have a body that could speak to youths about these things they will stand up and take their rights.
c) finally ,naturally youths are vibrant people and vibrant people create vibrant society and envirnoment.
Igbi
In Democracy, it is difficult for institutions to function without any oversight or checks on the way they exercise their powers, to have a vibrant democracy i will suggest that:
The Auditor General should publish various issues from time to time and highlight faiures and shortcomings of Government agencies.
To have a vibrant democracy the judicial; system must work, here laws will be carried and executed effectively without any fear and favors.
The Electorate Commission should function adequately, the last General elections were better compare to the previous if we continue and build on it will have a vibrant democracy.
In conclusion, part of a vibrant democracy is the work we all do at our community level to make a better democracy.
emekwue nkem purity
CAMPAIGN FOR POLITICAL AND DEMOCRATIC CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND YOUTH VOTER PARTICIPATION:INVOLVING TODAY’S YOUTH IN TOMORROW’S DEMOCRACY:
A democratic state cannot be stable unless it is effective and legitimate,with the respect and support of it’s citizens hence democracy needs active citizens wha are informed about the social and political world,who are willing to contribute to the political process,aware of their rights and responsibilities as citizens,active in their communities,concerned about the welfare of others.These capacities have to be learnt by teaching in schools to equip citizens in today’s complex and diverse society.Citizenship is the only subject in the national curriculum that teaches about the way of democracy.
Aim of this project is:Cultivation of the virtues,knowledge and skills necessary for political participation.Benefits to the youths is that it gives them a voice,develop self confidence,enables them make a positive contribution hence willing to participate in the democratic process.
The Citizenship education will involve different elements of learning:
1.Knowledge and understanding:Topics such as;the media,human rights,money&economy,rule of law,equality and justice
2.Skills and aptitudes:critical thinking,conflict resolution,participating in community action,in discussions and debates
3.Values and dispositions:respect for justice,democracy and rule of law,solidarity that cuts across old forms of tribal,religious and otther identity ties.
These can be achieved through:
Establishing dialogue with relevant government ministries,ministry of education,civil societies to lobby for comprehensive reforms needed to revise the curricula,rewrite the textbooks and retrain teachers in order to educate young people about the crimes of the past and teach them the principles and values of democracy
emekwue nkem purity
CAMPAIGN FOR YOUTH VOTER PARTICIPATION:INVOLVING TODAY’S YOUTH IN TOMORROW’S DEMOCRACY:
Increasing reluctance among youth to participate in politics and exercise the right to vote is particularly alarming and amounts to a weakening of democracy therefore it is imperative to reverse this trend and re-engage youth in the political and democratic process.
The project focuses on documentation of the scope and pervasiveness of the problem and suggests practical ways to raise young people’s interest and participation in politics
Project Structure
Sensitization and Awarness programs by radio,TV,seminars in our universities on the dangers of abstention of youth from the democratic process.This can be done iin collaboration with the National Orientation Agenct,Ministry of youths,National Youth Council of Nigeria and the Student Union Government
2.Documentation of the scope of the problem.comissioned interviews expressing the views and opinions of young people
3.Propose a variety’of activities on different levels through civil societies working also at the grassroots to draw young citizens into the electoral arena.This is done by providing a forum for debating public policies and disseminating information about issues before parliament that affect the interest of this group.
Nkem(08069061387)
emekwue nkem purity
In conclusion,the key is to form a group of like minded youths who are willing to champion the cause of patriotism and tenets of values,an overhaul of our value system and belief as a people through strategic planning.The ‘catch them young’ project aimed at inculcating patriotism,values,citizenship and responsibilty to the nation in our schools by inclusion in d academic curriculum .Teachers can be retrained to promote these values.the formed youth group have a responsibility to sensitize the public through radio programs beckoning on their fellows to redirect attention to economic sustainability rather than the current emphasis on reality TV shows and acquisition of fame.Government should be made to recognize youths that contribute to nation building by way of community projects.This sends signals of encouragment to straying youths and the opportunities as well as fulfillment that accompany voluntary acts and patriotism.The Universities are to be made to understand the importance of establishing a Youth-Democratic Centre for expositions,training and learning of democratic principles in collaboration with the SUG
Daniel Stephen
The one thing i am doing and will continue to do is to preach my message of value- reorientation because we need to imbibe values to form cultures in this country if democracy is to stay. We have formed a group that comprises of Nigerian’s home and abroad to contribute to the development of our dear nation. Nigeria is blessed…good people, great nation.
erakpotobo
For our democracy to grow stronger and flourish, we all must be willing to participate. Our participation must be constructive and geared towards rendering the best service for our nation. We can’t afford to be spectators but active participators because whatever happens in our country affect us directly or indirectly, so we can’t put the fate of our country in the hands of others. We need to bear the responsibility as well.
Samuel Uchenna Okwara
Hello my dear comrades/ change agents. I am indeed, so elated to be part of the grand finale of this wonderful forum that is full of promises and opportunities for our great nation Nigeria.
Indeed, today offers us a great opportunity once again to talk about our role/ contributions (participation) to the development of democracy and our Nation at large. Yes, we need to participate because participation is you and me, that’s why we exist.
On the issue of discussion, I am so obsessed with the idea of developing/ empowering people to achieve success and become change agents. I believe in Collaborative Leadership.
To truly engage a large group in community decision-making requires me to practice what is probably an unfamiliar form of leadership called collaborative leadership. A successful collaborative leader has the ability to share power, is flexible, can see the big picture, is trustworthy, and has patience, abundant energy and hope.
Being a collaborative leader requires a range of skills:
• Be inclusive, promote diversity
• Practice shared decision making
• Resolve conflicts constructively
• Communicate clearly, openly, and honestly
• Facilitate group interaction
• Nurture leadership in others and encourage top-level commitment
These skills have been on practice, emanating from several innovative projects/ initiatives. I must confess that much progress/ success have been achieved so far. Anyway, there’s no stopping because I need to enlarge my reach.
Finally, I wish to congratulate Youngstars Foundation for this great forum and opportunity to speak and act for my country. I wish this forum can continue so that we can discuss on several other issues bothering us and our nation in order to make a step to achieve our desired freedom in all ramifications.
Long live YDI,
Long live the United States of America,
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria,
God bless you all!
Cheers!
SUO!
clinton
Hello articulate Democrats, this is an opportunity well utilized for those of us that participated in this thought provoking forum, to the YDI teams; thank you so much for this enormous opportunity you have given to us in this country.
On this final forum discussion day in repositioning our democracy for better yield in the next one year, we must endeavor to:
Strengthen policies: there are so many vital bills that have been passed at the National assemble since 1999 to date but still lies comatose in the government covers. Mr. President must be courageous to implement those policies.
Anti-corruption fight must be intensified, let it not be a mere charade or to show that the EFCC and her sister agent are doing fine. I believe our law-makers will heed to the prayers of the EFCC in creating an independent court where corrupt or accused will be tried without much hiccups.
Declaring a state of emergency on unemployment: let the attention of our government be focused on addressing this issue, if we get this in the right direction in the next one year, some of the vices that posed a great threat to our democracy will dissolved.
We the citizens must change our attitude towards governance, where our support is needed from our leaders we must not withdraw to give it. Value re-orientation is needed, on this note we at the Civil society group must not relent, increase awareness on effective participation and good governance must continue to be carried out.
On the aspect of security, let the government re-structure our current security outfit. Nigeria is in the eye of the world now, and is attracting much attention both positive and negative. therefore we must work hard to achieve this.
We the citizens must also help in providing adequate information to the appropriate authorities for effective and efficient response.
Online forums should be an on-going strategy to sensitize the youth on some of the vital issues that needs our attention therefore, I suggest we take this campaign to other online social youth friendly sites for a larger participation.
I know that our country shall be great again, I am very much optimistic on this. Irrespective of the issues that divides us, the ones that unites us far exceeds.
Once again, thanks to YDI for a promise and a genuine tradition they have imbibed, I am very grateful.
Clinton 08068475053
popoolaio
In the recent time, I have had opportunities to discuss on the roles of the Nigerian Youths in deepening the democratic culture at different media platforms (radio, television, internet and print media). I keep saying the same thing that young people need to be actively involved if we have to grow our nascent democracy to a world class status. According to the the just released Mo Ibrahim Index of African Good Governance, Nigeria got 41st position out of the 53 African countries as at the time the result was complied in 2010 and we call ourselves the giant of Africa. Please, where is the pride in us? The simple analogue is that our present and immediate past leaders have failed us in line with international best practice. Now, if our leaders have failed us, do we (young Nigerians) need fail the up-coming generations? If not, then we have to get it right at this moment.
As regards myself, I will continue to advocate for the active participation of young people in strengthening our democratic institutions, rule of law, and achieving the Nigeria of our dream. If we have to be at the helms of the affairs in the nearest future as the president, ministers, governors, commissioners, legislators, advisers, heads of the governments’ MDAs, etc, then it is better we start to learn the processes so that we will be able to avoid the mistakes committed by our leaders.I will continue to build my human capacity in understanding the concept of ‘real’ democracy and effective leadership. I will further employ the powers of social media networks in achieving civic engagement of young people on all matters that affect our present and the future. I will also employ the catch them approach in building the spirit in the up coming generations.
The future of this country lie on our hands and we cannot afford to fail the up coming generations…
chukwuisaac
I am the most beneficiary of this great forum. Really I enjoyed my participation in making and reading peoples comment. I must testify that this forum has also increased my horizon. I wish it will be a constant forum.
I strongly believe that change is a constant and continues process and I know that our country will also transit to vibrant and participatory democracy. I know that most Nigerians are walking, denying themselves a lot, taking the pains, making scarifies and putting all they have for the good of our country. So I encourage every one of them and all the change agents to continue with their good work. Success will be our achievement and we will live to enjoy Nigeria as we prepare our ways to embrace good governance and vibrant democracy.
As our democracy grow, much work need to be done. I discovered that ignorance can send one to his/her grave before time and it is a major hindrance to our development. Most of our youths are ignorant of what democracy is all about more especially those in rural communities and that was the reason why most of them do not participate in ongoing transformation we are undergoing. So through my own quota, I took up the challenge to enlighten most of the young ones in rural area and also bringing their representative closer to them through partnering with some communities and I hope that the message will help to make our growing democracy vibrant where every one will be carry along.
Thanks to Youngstars for organizing this great forum and the privilege for us to participate and all the funders of this project.
nnanna chukwuemeka
Thank God that we have some one who remember those in rural area where much work need to be done. God will help us and make our country better.
Adeyera Adebola
The vibrancy of Nigerian democratic systems depends solely on result oriented programmes, value re orientation etc.
As a young, energetic personality, if i have all the needed result, my plans aresimple, foremost, organise a team that will assisst in working out plans for symposium, seminars for youths (Secondary school students, Tertiary Institution students and NYSC members, Various Artisan, Communities etc.
The programmes aim is towards value re-orientation, intellectual discussion and brainstorming session.
Also, activities such as highlighting major problems and probable solutions will be offered by participants and at the end, various ideas will be collated and worked upon.
Worked upon simply means result oriented.
To strengthen our democratic system, solution is simply value re orientation through a solid based ideoligical agenda.
fagro
Democracy is growing in Nigeria. Yes. But the real would-have-been beneficiary of democracy which is the people are yet to fully feel the growth in the expected quantum. The question portends to speak in the same voice with John F. Kennedy – ‘Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country.’ The core ideals of DESPLAY, a 6 years old programme of Youngstars come to fore here – To live is to participate.
I will continue to lend my voices to issues around democracy and would continue to have my pen drip on issues that affect the collective decision of the people on who governs us and not. For me, this is the most important period of the electoral cycle. A worker is likely to get more focused when he knows his boss is around. The same way a politician is likely to get more involved in his work when he knows that he is been keenly observed. I am of the opinion that using my platform – Tomorrow Today Development Initiative to encode messages to young people on the essence of democracy and how participation can foster good governance especially in this age where digital activism is even favourable and more fashionable would see my contribution to what democracy represents continue to grow.
Finally, my personal blog platform on the Youngstars site would also be engaged to use this platform to reach out to even more young people who are progressively minded to keep at work until the overall goal of the society that idealist seek for is observed despite my realist position to national politics in the face of globalisation.
chukwuisaac
Friends we shouldn’t wait for opportunity to come before we act. know that any environment we find yourselves is a better opportunity for you to contribute to our nation building. I have adopt that measure to improve the life of people around me. so it is one of my practical means to convince my friend on the need for them to partake in ongoing metamorphosis of our country democracy.This measure has helped me in making our democracy more participatory so i will improve in it to make our democracy to be more vibrant and i hope it will also any one who can adopt this measure.
nnanna chukwuemeka
I was introduce to this forum late. I am much interested to on day one topic; key ingredient needed to improve Nigeria democracy. so i like to comment on that topic.
Nigeria is the best policy making country in the world. It is not that most Nigerian leaders do not understand what democracy is all about, infarct it is in their leaps, in their head, in their mind but not in their actions. But the major problem while it seems that democracy is not duly observer in our country is because there is no one to be hold accountable when they fail to deliver. Even our judiciary we put our trust, has failed to carry out the task. I think that one of the ways to improve our democracy is by given a proper and compulsory assessment to all our leaders on a specified time when they are in office. Let say every one year. The assessment should be carry out by a panel. The panel should comprise delegates from all existing political parties in the country, NGOS whose objective is democracy, delegates from judiciary, delegates from different anti corruption agencies, delegates from the leaders of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria, random selections of the some able minded citizens, and reputable youths.
The criteria for the assessment should be first; the voice of the citizens should be heard. Secondly; their achievements so far in reference to their promise before acquiring the position.
At the end of the assessment, if they do not reach 50% of the expectation, vote of no confidence should take place immediately.
The panel should be rotated by changing the members of the panel every year and the names of the panel should only be disclose forty eight hours before the assessment commenced.
I think with these it will call to the mind of our leaders that they were call to serve not to occupy only position and so make them to be conscious of all their activities.
Youngstars
Hi Nnanna, sorry for getting to know about the forum late. The topic for day one has already been closed and we can’t open it up for discussion anymore. Regards, Youngstars Team