Youth Action Partners for Development
Youth Action Partners for Development (YAP4D)
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Terry Nyikwagh
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- Location
- Nigeria
- Name:
- Terry
- About Me:
- I have founded the NGO, YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS LEAGUE which is a youth focused organization with the sole aim of reaching out to the youths and educating them to think creativity and innovation in all facets of life. These are the key elements of entrepreneurship.
It is our believe that every youth has in him or her amazing potentials that if discovered and well groomed will not only make him/her self reliant but will add value to life. Our obsesssion therefore is to make sure that each youth begin to see life in terms of what to add(creativity) or what to substantially improve upon (Innovation) to make life more meaningful.
- Name of Organisation:
- Young Entrepreneurs League
- Location:
- Nigeria
- Why did you join this network?
- To have contact with like minded persons,NGOs, and sponsor organizations
- What projects are you currently working on?
- A local student entrepreneur forum in Zaria,Nigeria.
Terry Nyikwagh's Blog
STUDENTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP SEMINAR IN ZARIA
Posted on March 10, 2009 at 11:00am — 4 Comments
THE NEW WORLD ORDER
Posted on March 3, 2009 at 4:42pm — 1 Comment
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President Yar’adua on assumption of office as President in 2007 following the plethora of allegations of widespread fraud marring the April 14th and 21st elections constituted an Electoral Reform Committee to review our electoral process and make recommendations to the government for implementation. The 22 man committee led by retired Justice Lawan Uwais had its membership constituted by credible and well meaning Nigeria like Barr. Festus Okoye, Prof. Grace Alele Williams, Prof. Bola Akinyemi, Prof. Attahiru Jega the list can go on. No YOUTH was appointed as a member of the committee.
As a society, we are not good at encouraging young people to get active in political life. Our civil life cannot be complete if the ideas and opinions of young people are missing from campaigns and grassroots effort to change policy. Young people have been ignored so much on matter concerning the electoral reform. We have come to a crossroads where we must determine our destiny as a nation and the youths must be carried along.
It is beyond contention that Nigerian elections are mostly perversion of democracy and youths have always been on the receiving end because we have yield ourselves as tool and instruments used by the politicians to subvert electoral processes.
One of our peculiar characteristics is our proclivity for talking serious issues to oblivion. We love to talk the talk but when it gets to the point to work, we shrink from taking decisive steps to get things done. If youths are encouraged and given adequate space to engage the electoral reform process thereby encouraging them to fulfill civil responsibilities now, we are directly building a strong foundation for civic engagement in the future. As young people, we possess ingenious ideas and energy needed to advocate for the full implementation of the electoral reform committee recommendations.
Our present leaders will leave office one day for us to occupy. Is it not reasonable and thoughtful to give young people in a space and a voice in the process?
It is not out of place to posit that most youth groups and student bodies like NANS, SUG, NYC have become politicized and exist as youth wings of some political parties. Instead of representing the interest of youths in Nigeria they have sold our birthright to this crop of politicians who mean no good for young people. Notwithstanding credible young Nigeria emerge every day. Are you one of those who are poised to foster change in our motherland?
Now that Nigeria is said to be at a crossroad, her young people have to be given the opportunity to be seen, to be heard, and to take part in the Government so that they will begin to take responsibility and play their part in moving the nation forward. Young people must realize that the earlier we begin to mobilize ourselves to advocate and engage the electoral reform process, the better it is for us. We must get to the point where “when we speak the government must shake”.
It is time for us to take a stand!
We have power in our numbers!
We demand full implementation of the Electoral Reform Committee Recommendations.
Samson Itodo
Youth Action Initiative Africa
University of Jos
08032894709
samlaw04@yahoo.com
“We must speak and the government must shake”
“Our values will determine the kind of nation we will build”
Today, Ghana shines like a beacon and a worthy example to other misguided countries in Africa, ours inclusive. Looking at the Ghana scenario, YAIA congratulate the people of Ghana and her electoral institution for conducting a credible and fair election. Nigeria may need technical assistance from the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) to enthrone and sustain democratic ethos.
The goal of YAIA election observer mission was to conduct a cross-sector analysis of the election environment and to examine conditions relating to the right to vote and to be elected, including discrimination or other obstacles that hinder youth participation in electoral processes. Most importantly the delegation was to evaluate youth participation in democratic processes in Ghana. The Delegation was led by Samson Itodo -YAIA President, Ms. Ene Eigege – YAIA External Relations Officer, Mr. Nicholas Lamptey –YAIA Ghana Country Coordinator and Mr. Ishmeal Barfi Boateng - Editor Atlantis Radio & Television Ghana.
The delegation found that the elections provided the voters a reasonably free choice, but there were some procedural problems in several of the villages. The Ministry, provincial, and county civil affairs officials understand clearly the significance of a secret, individual ballot, but some villagers did not. Most impressive for the delegation was the openness and candor of Electoral officers, Ministry, provincial, and county officials, political parties and youths in acknowledging problems and seeking advice on ways to resolve them. As part of this assessment, the delegation assessed opportunities for fair competition, oversight and observation, access to media and overarching political dynamics that affected campaigning and elections.
It is pertinent to note that democracy has finally arrived in Ghana by the fact of change from one political party to the other each election cycle, it helps us with a very important understanding of the nature of multi-party democracy, which is that possibilities are embedded in the nature of the process.
Ghana has once again proven to the world that when the script about Africa and democracy is written, it need not be only about Kenya, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and recently Guinea. Ghana has once again demonstrated that it is truly the shining star of the continent. It is exciting that the keenly contested elections, which saw the winner with a slim margin, did not degenerate into upheavals, as there were no reports of violent clashes between and among the parties and their supporters
FACTS
• There are 230 constituencies, 24 million population, 13million registered and 9 million voted.
• Mills won the presidency after three polls in four weeks - the first ballot, a run-off and a mini-run-off in a constituency. Mills, who contested on the banner opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), had 4,521,032 votes (50.23 per cent) to be crowned the winner of the Ghana 2008 Presidential polls while Akufo-Addo polled 4,480,446 votes (49.77 per cent). In spite of misgivings, Akufo-Addo congratulated Mills and the ruling NPP withdrew all suits against the polls. And today Mills has been sworn in without rancour and acrimony.
OBSERVATIONS
1. The stakes of the election were raised by the discovery of oil in Ghana and an expectation for incoming oil revenues to begin in 2010. The winner was predicted as it is the case in some African nations where the winner of an election that is yet to be conducted will be announced.
2. Youth participation: The youths demonstrated a high level civility and they had the mindset and willingness to obey laws and follow due process. Some youths contested for parliamentary seats are won. The youths shared the same vision and political ideology which is to make Ghana’s democracy enviable and a teacher to other African nations. Students were trained and deployed to police stations to monitor counting of votes because counting was done in police stations. The youths organized Peace campaigns in selected conflict prone areas and showcased films that discourage electoral violence. Ghanaian youths had the orientation on the need to remain in Ghana and make it and so they were ready to put the nation first. There was so much consciousness on the part of Ghanaians. The youths were awakened in Ghana because they ensured that their votes were counted even if they had to go through all the sessions and tensions they waited patiently without chaos or rancor.
3. Ghana has a very good democratic culture because we saw an independent candidate emerge. It was about the person and not the party. The resolution of the logjam on the side of exemplary democratic conduct is a testimony for the maturity of democracy in Ghana and good temperament of its political actors. The Ghanaian electorate, the Electoral Commission, the Judiciary and all other institutions of State by their various conducts put the Nation First before every other consideration.
4. Most important, voting occurred in a safe and non-violent atmosphere, without the overt intimidation on the part of police or security forces that has sometimes marred elections in Africa. The Police and security agencies observed and protected voter’s rights. The security of the boxes was quite outstanding. Some youths assisted the electoral officers to transfer the boxes to the police stations without fear of rigging.
5. Political parties affixed seals on all ballot papers and ballot boxes. Political parties manifestoes accessible to the public. In fact party manifestoes were available on the internet. Political parties had student’s wings in schools and campuses.
6. PRESS FREEDOM: Media freedom was extraordinary. The press was given free space to air their programs without fear of intimidation and oppression as in some purported democracies like our. The media gave free and equal airtime to all candidates and political parties to carry out their respective campaigns.
7. NO INTERFERENCE FROM THE INCUMBENT: The hero of this successful project is President John Kufuor who did not behave like most incumbents in Africa do. He chose to be a statesman rather than a politician. He had all the chance to turn Ghana to another headache in Africa. He could have asked the EC boss to falsify the figures for his party, but he declared that elections in Ghana were not a "do-or-die" affair.
The government of President John Kuffour should be recognized for taking this initial step to open Ghana’s political process. This sets an important precedent for greater political competition in the future. These are, however, preliminary steps in a long process of democratization. In order to capitalize on what has been achieved to date, future developments must increase opportunities for citizen participation and remove restrictions that limit political activity and free expression.
8. THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION: The Electoral Commission in Ghana maintained its integrity; the Ghanaian Judiciary has shown itself as an example to Nigeria's. There is always great concern that the incumbent party and its supporters will take ballot papers before the election and use them to “stuff” the ballot box on Election Day but there was a turn around in Ghana. The Ghanaian Electoral Commission led by Kwadwo Afari-Gyan has also shown that any country that wants to learn any lesson from electoral conduct should go to Ghana and ignore the Prof. Maurice Iwu who asked America to come for tutorials in Nigeria. Electoral commission was more than transparent. Organize opposition we need to build credible opposition leadership for vibrant democracy and good governance. Even though the opposition was very sceptical of the Electoral Commission impartiality in the run up to the elections but she proved how totally wrong they were.
9. Even though voting materials arrived some polling stations late, voting continued to late night and results were not announced until votes have been collated and counted. Some voters were seen to be voting with lanterns and rechargeable lamps.
CHALLENGES & SUGGESTIONS
1. Poor and low civic education of the masses: Despite the efforts made by the Electoral commission, civil society organizations and the media in educating the masses, problems were recorded with voters understanding how to fill the ballot papers. There is need to undertake a more intensive voter education plan to help people understand why their vote counts. The government at various levels should spend more time and resources educating the populace on the importance of elections and the character of democratic elections with a secret ballot.
2. The Count. We saw a number of ways in which regions counted the ballots. Some of the approaches – like those in waija constituency were chaotic and not secure. Those in upper region were far more organized and transparent – critical ingredients of a free election – but there was an important difference. One was held inside a small room, and the people pressed their faces against the window, finding it difficult to see the count. An alternative, which we had earlier suggested, was done in the public where everyone could see. It was done quickly and efficiently, by dividing up the votes according to different polling stations.
3. Late orientation of the masses.
In conclusion, if we are to move forward as a nation, we must be ready to do all that Ghana did to attain this status. We must be able to observe the rules to the letter and elevate the nation above narrow, selfish and short-term interests. Ghana is attaining greatness because it has shunned the corrupt path and the route of perfidy. Great nations are never built on fraud.
The Ghana story is a very clear message that all hope is not lost for Africa especially Nigeria and that the democratic project can be a sweet experience in NIgeria if political actors can borrow a leaf from the Ghanaian model and play the game according to the rules of the game. The only time we got it right was on June 12, 1993 before the forces of backwardness annulled the hope of the renewal for the democratic project in the country's successive elections.
“We must pull-in together and indeed with one voice say it is only together we can."
Nigeria can Work
Below is the fallout of the Breakfast Dialogue on How Nigeria’s Democracy fared in 2008. Read on and make your comment, contribution and suggestions. An initiative of Youth Action Initiative Africa with support from University of Jos American Corner.
I write with great pleasure to present a summary report and communiqué from the Breakfast Dialogue on How Nigeria’s Democracy fared in 2008. The Breakfast Dialogue organized by Youth Action Initiative Africa at the American Corner on 29th January 2009 was aimed at giving participants the opportunity to evaluate Nigeria’s democracy in 2008 with a view of strategizing for 2009. The Dialogue addressed important issues as they relate to democracy in Nigeria including youth participation, electoral reforms, anti-corruption, religious tolerance, human rights, media and press freedom.
The Dialogue had in attendance 25 youths, an academician & a vibrant constitutional lawyer of high repute Prof. Nnamdi Aduba of the Faculty of Law, University of Jos, Uncle Chuks a staff of the American Corner and Staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). The youths came together to exchange views and ideas on how Nigeria’s democracy fared in 2008. The youths also examined how the government mainstreamed youth issues in their program in 2008 vis-à-vis what young peoples should expect from them in 2009. It also provided an open forum for young people to unite and articulate what they considered as major issues/challenges to national youth development.
The meeting also gave birth to questions on how the proficiency and capacity of young people would be built to understand government policies, how young people can become more involved in governance processes; and how young people can also become more involved in sectoral performance review at the end of each year; to see how the different government ministries and agencies perform especially the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Development. For us in Youth Action Initiative Africa, bearing some of these outcomes, we consider the Breakfast Dialogue a huge success and the beginning of a very strategic platform to make the voices of young people heard with a view of assisting in resolving Nigeria’s political, economic and social problems because young people need to play active roles in shaping the future of Nigeria and its political process.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Nigeria’s Democracy in 2008 witnessed some creditable exploits especially in the Judiciary with very applauding pronouncements. In terms of general performance, the Nigerian judiciary has often been described as the most credible branch of government in the current democratic dispensation. This is because with some of its landmark decisions in recent times, this third arm of government has not only upheld the rule of law; it has also largely redirected the executive and even the legislature from certain precipice. But unfortunately, in 2008, public celebration or excitement over the seemingly independent judiciary has not given majority of Nigerians cause to cheer. The year 2008 witnessed a
lot of contradictions in the judgments of the courts that has affected the confidence of voters in moral capacity to restore their mandate. This is evidenced in the decision of the court in the cases involving the governors of Kebbi and Sokoto states delivered by the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, and that of governors of Enugu and Cross River states delivered in Enugu and Calabar respectively.
2. The anti corruption campaign in 2008 was flawed in so many areas especially in the way and manner some cases were handled. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had a lot of cases to prosecute but did not live up to expectation. Even though anti-corruption agencies like EFCC and ICPC demonstrated commitment to sustain the fight against corruption they did not show interest in the idea of character development, values, ethics and leadership as a core area of focus for nation building.
3. Government recognized the importance of youths in nation building and successor generation plan. However, she did not articulate any strategic youth agenda or plan for achieving youth development in Nigeria, nor did they articulate how they intend to include young people in decision and policy making processes thereby making such policies anti - youth.
4. Most government policies reiterated the importance education plays in nation building and pledged improvement in the education sector, including restructuring the NYSC. However, government did not articulate clear vision and objectives for this sector, i.e, curriculum review, clear plans for technical/vocational education among others, how to double the number of admission opportunities into universities annually, plans for students who do not secure admission etc.
5. The government though committed to attaining the Millennium Development Goals did not articulate how they intend to pursue the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and NEEDS especially in relation to young people’s issues and their involvement in the process.
6. Human rights observance in 2008 was very poor and the system of attaining social justice needs urgent attention. There were so many extra- judicial killings, the ouster of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu from EFCC & the Police, the closure of Channels Television for some days were among some of the issues that heated the polity in 2008 and are clear indications of the ill-fated way on how the government treated human rights issues in 2008.
7. The inclusion of women into the mainstream of governance was very low especially in the recent appointment of ministers.
In general, participants are of the view that there is willingness on the part of government to practice true democracy but failed in its implementation process. Participants also posit that though
some successes were recorded and we made very little headway in our polity, Nigeria’s democracy didn’t fare too well in 2008.
In view of the above, the participants made far reaching recommendations which also includes what youths feel are key issues the government needs to give priority in addressing youth development in Nigeria; thus, the recommendations are as follows:
1. EDUCATION: Youths recommend the implementation of a Free and Compulsory Education for every child within school age up to Secondary Education. This needs to be backed with legislation to make it illegal for children of school age to be denied education.
Youths also recommend as a matter of national urgency, a review of our current educational curriculum to be more interactive/inventive; so that our institutions can graduate more of job creators, technical persons and inventors to move the country forward. The tertiary institutions need to be adequately funded.
Teacher’s welfare, training and provision of adequate infrastructure should be improved on as a matter of urgency.
2. ACCELERATING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE: To accelerate youth development and to better harness the dynamic potentials of young people for nation building involves more than education and football (sports), youths recommend that: A National Youth Forum be convened with the view of harnessing the inputs of young people in formulating a broad based and youth owned national youth agenda.
That the Federal Ministry of Youth Development must be maintained by the government and be adequately funded to carry out strategic youth development programs for Nigerian youths.
If necessary, there should be a national legislation mandating all the 36 states including the FCT to create a separate ministry of Youth Development not attached to sports or women, to operate solely for the purpose of youth programs at the state levels.
The Minister for the Federal Ministry of Youth Development should be below the ages of 35years, and the position should be through application. Adverts should be placed on national newspapers and youth based online networks for suitably qualified youths who must have been involved in youth work for a minimum of 5 years to apply. The recruitment / selection board should comprise of representatives from the federal youth ministry, development partners, private sectors, young people and respected leaders in society.
The National Youth Policy Document which is overdue should be reviewed with broad based participation of young people at all levels of the review. More so, the document should be widely circulated in every school, youth organization / associations, and libraries among others.
That all umbrella bodies of youth organizations like National Youth Council of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Students, National Youth Parliament, Student Union Government should be restructured and made more democratic, non – partisan, accountable and representational of their youth constituencies.
That in the Review of the 1999 Constitution, the voices of young people cannot be neglected. We demand more space to actively participate in the constitutional review process. For instance, in the area of who is legible to contest for an elective position. Youths demand that the qualification for elective posts should be such that all persons who can vote automatically qualify to be voted for.
3. Job Creation: youths commends the efforts of the current administration in job creation and recommends that in 2009 the government must deliberately pursue industrialization and local content as a way of creating more jobs.
More so, the process of diversifying the economy has had tremendous benefits and much more jobs could be created if areas like agriculture, tourism, solid minerals among others are fully supported to grow.
The Small and Medium Scale Enterprise and NAPEP among others should be further encouraged to focus more on programs and offers that shall identify, empower and grow many more young entrepreneurs into big time entrepreneurs, industrialists and large employers of labour.
4. Information Communication Technology: bearing in mind that we are in an information technology driven age, youths recommend that Youth ICT Villages or Academies be set up in every state of Nigeria to harness the potentials of young people, to also financially empower them financially and earn the nation foreign exchange in the nearest future.
5. FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION /CAMPAIGN ON CHARACTER AND ETHICS: That the fight against corruption must be sustained and that all agencies involved in the fight against corruption like ICPC, EFCC and all other related agencies should be sustained and further strengthened to be autonomous to perform effectively.
That a national campaign on character, values, ethics and leadership should be initiated and agencies such as the National Orientation Agency be further strengthened and funded to be the at the forefront of this campaign for ethics and moral values in all aspect of our national live.
IN CONCLUSION
There is no doubt that this is a very important period in the history of our nation because on May 29 2009 our democracy will be 10 years at a stretch. The question would be whether the dividends of democracy has been delivered to the people. Perhaps we may also ask what legacies our present day leaders are going to leave behind for us to learn and espouse. Hence our appeal for all and sundry is to get involved to make this nation the true giant of Africa that she really is. We implore the government to justify the confidence reposed in them by Nigerian youths by formulating policies that would better the lives of young people in Nigeria and give us hope for the future.
And to the youths, we must shun political thuggery and violence. Let’s renew our hopes in our dear country. I tell you NIGERIA CAN WORK. Our power is in our numbers, We have energy, We have ideas. Now we have a voice!
……let’s all step out and shun every form of corruption and violence and let Nigeria be great!
We believe in Nigeria and in democratic governance.
Long live the federal republic of Nigeria!
Long live responsible Nigerian youths!
Long live African union!
John Origi
John origi
Basola A. Victor
www.basolavictor.blogspot.com
www.youngnigerianentrepreneurs.ning.com
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