ACTIVE YOUTH PARTICIPATION A PANACEA FOR DEEPENING DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES IN NIGERIA

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