ACTIVE YOUTH PARTICIPATION A PANACEA FOR DEEPENING DEMOCRATIC
PROCESSES IN NIGERIA
I will like to
begin with a quotation: “Young people should be at the fore-front of global
change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and
peace. If, however, they are left on society’s margin, all of us will be
impoverished. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to
participate fully in the lives of their societies”- Kofi Annan, Former UN
Secretary General.
A cursory look at Nigeria’s
population statistics for instance shows that youth are over 54%. Essentially,
Government decisions, laws and policies affect the youth more; activities of
democracy have more impact on the youth- in terms of leadership, development
programmes, economic empowerment, job creation and security among others. The
simple question to ask is that why should the youth not be active in democratic
process.
Young people have been identified as having higher propensity to engage
in change. In fact, I have often described the youth as the strength of the
nation. They possess deep insight into the perception of change in society and
the continuity of those changes. One of the most innovative leaders Nigeria has
had since independence is Gen. Yakubu Gowon who became a Military Head of State
at the age of 32. Records of his achievements in office still speak for itself
inclusive of which is the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme geared
towards fostering national integration after the Civil war.
It is therefore apposite to utilize the strength of the youth. This will
be by firstly investing time and resources in them as a mechanism of promoting
and influencing democratic process. This is workable through education for
re-orientation and redirection of the youthful strength towards
nation-building. Youth never lack capacity for intellectual creativity; the
question is what is it expended on? Another part to this is that some have
ideas on proffering workable solutions to matters of national importance but
would rather give-in to the withdrawal syndrome (meaning leaving democratic process
to anyone who may not even have any idea and capacity to influence positive
change). Education is therefore quintessential.
Furthermore, conferences, symposia, workshops and debates could be
organized not just to train or enlighten the youth in their participation on
democratic process, but to provide platform for sharing their thoughts and
perception to democratic process and influencing societal change. This is one
of the objectives of Joseph Initiative.
Also very important is the willingness of the leaders in government and
political parties to give opportunity to well-meaning youngsters who are not
just interested in talking the talk but also wants to work vigorously in making
the society better. The elders need to know that success of the future lie in
the youths. More importantly, what is needed is the effort all citizens to
change the present picture and to build a healthy society by engaging the youth
to expose themselves to the struggle, encouraging them to be leaders of the
future, equipping them with knowledge and role they have in society, providing
them with the venue to re-double their participation in the lives of their
society and developing their knowledge and awareness on the real issues facing
the society.
Finally, youth should establish more political and social movements that
inspire change as in the western democracies. This will definitely demand the
development of initiatives of mobilizing and organizing its own constituents,
inside and outside the country and subsequently realised in awareness and
action. It is also very essential that political parties, civil society
organisations, and others to build a close working relationship with the youth
movement to the extent of providing them with material and policy support that
can help them to engage meaningfully in the struggle for democracy.
In conclusion, I must state that the youth are currently utilizing the
social media platform to participate in democratic process. However, while
online advocacy can make point or contribution, physical participation will
influence far more and it is to this end that I have discussed the above as a
panacea for deepening youth participation in democratic process in Nigeria.
Olusola
Akinyemi Esq.
President
Joseph Initiative,
Lagos
Tel: + 234 (0)
8077726199
Email: Olusola.akins@gmail.com
