By Doyin Ojosipe
The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), in collaboration with the Ubuntu Centre for Africa Peacebuilding Development (UCAP) and the Institute of Strategic and Development Communication (ISDEVCOM), Nasarawa State University, Keffi, have called on youths in the country to take seriously and participate in the decision-making process of their country.
AFRICMIL and partners made the call at Nasarawa state university, Keffi, during a two-day roundtable on raising political awareness among youths and students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. An annual youth engagement conference supported by the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation.
Addressing students, Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL, represented by the Program Manager, Kola Ogunbiyi said, continuous political education was necessary given the extent of political apathy among youths despite the fact that there was some level of awakening among them.
He said, although we all can attest to youth participation in political activism to some extent, there is still much to be done in addressing political apathy among the youths.
In a goodwill message, Prof Oshita Oshita, Executive Director of the Ubuntu Centre for Africa Peacebuilding Development (UCAP) advised the youths against being deceived by some money bags who may want to tactically silence their voices. According to him, the youths must know what they want and plan strategically to get it.
Also addressing the participants, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics Nasarawa State University Keffi, Prof Haruna Ayuba who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Suleiman Mohammed said the youths need to position in such a way as to take over the mantle of leadership as the older generation has proven never to be ready to relinquish the baton of leadership.
He said, “they will keep saying you are the future leaders or you are the leaders of tomorrow yet you see those who are supposed to leave the seat not ready to leave the seat and you wonder when this tomorrow is going to come.”
On her part, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Sa’adatu Liman said, it was unfortunate that politicians engage the youth negatively while using them for all manner of vices. She maintained that it was of utmost importance that youths participate in the politics of their country as they are meant to be in leadership positions at the moment.
In a lecture on Democracy, Collective Action and the Role of Students and Youths in Intra-elite Conflict in Nigeria, one of the resource persons, Prof Gideon Omachonu said when intense intra-elite competition which is one of the most important factors responsible for massive waves of social and political instability, becomes prevalent, the youths rather than fold their arms and watch helplessly should cash in on the situation to make a positive change by penetrating the elite in times of crisis to create political spaces for themselves before the so-called elite realize their folly and cause a re-grouping and re-strategizing.
He suggested that since the youths will be part of the future local development and assume important roles in the resolution of conflicts and leadership within their communities and the larger society, capacity building of the youths as peace ambassadors was important to strengthening democratic governance and solving problems at the local and national levels.
In the same vein, Chibuike Mgbeahuruike, another Resource Person who spoke on the same topic, said youths in the country need to make frantic and organised efforts at changing the status quo by shunning all prejudices and bigotry as they search for quality leadership.
He said, “The kind of intervention that might make the required impact as contained in Public Narrative, Collective Action, and Power was to have an Organized collective action that challenges the status quo—a social movement—one that requires leadership that goes far beyond a stereotypical charismatic public persona with whom it is often identified. Unable to rely on established bureaucratic structures for coordination, evaluation, and action, such action depends on voluntary participation, shared commitments, and ongoing motivation.
He also urged youths to remain resolute in their demand as the capacity of a social movement for effective action depends largely on the depth, breadth, and quality of leadership able to turn opportunity to purpose.
In her presentation, Dr Ruth Caleb called who spoke on the aftermath of EndSARS urged the youths to reinvigorate the momentum gathered at the EndSARS protest to mobilize for a qualified independent and younger candidate to challenge the aged generation that has refused to relinquish power to the rightful owners while wallowing in incompetence. She urged the youths to choose a more qualified and youthful candidate who would deliver on much needed ‘local solutions to local problems.
since the youth have a future ahead of them, they must strive and seize such opportunities so as to secure their future. It will be wise to have youths in various advisory boards, commissions, ministries, etc.
“The momentum of the #EndSARS protests can be used to rally voters behind alternative, independent candidates who can challenge the old establishment and deliver on much needed local solutions to local problems. It can help build a new political consciousness among Nigerians which redefines citizenship as not just a set of rights but also of responsibilities – to demand one’s right from the state but also to have the responsibility to do one’s part in transforming it for the better”, she said.
On his part, Dr Sunday Igbaba who spoke on the aftermath of the #ENDSARS said the unfortunate incidences that happened in the process of the popular peaceful protests by youths, calls for a careful look into the cases of human rights violations. He added that the #ENDSARS protests were birthed by gross human rights violations and sheer disregard for human life. It is only reasonable that future policies make room for effective human rights protection to address the many problems the campaign has highlighted.
“Government needs to develop a human rights policy approach in addressing these issues. Firstly, there is the need to address the systemic abuse of civil and political rights by the police and other government agencies. Government need to commence intensive human rights training for all law enforcement officers. Officers should also be regularly appraised on their human rights compliance and erring officers prosecuted. In order to effectively protect the rights to life and freedom from torture, the government must ensure that it treats reports of violence, torture, and extrajudicial killings with the gravity they deserve”, he said.
Commenting on the event, a participant who is also a member of the Student Union Government, Nasarawa State University, Tonia Jatau said some of the youths are willing to engage in politics but needed to be well tutored. She said there was a need for continuous awareness among the youths.
