Ekiti Youth Leadership Workshop Canvasses Way Forward For Democracy In Nigeria
A youth workshop has suggested a reformation of the democratic process to infuse new blood into Nigeria’s leadership.
A workshop supported by Nigeria Youth Future Fund (NYFF) to support andĀ strengthen young
Nigerians for youth leadership, activism and social change through outcome-driven, policymaking and inclusive resourcing that will enable young people to shape national development.
This position was brought to the fore in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, at a Youth Leadership Development Workshop which aims at shaping the future of democracy in Nigeria. According to the Convener, Mr Oluwamuyiwa Ajaja, in a paper titled”, Leading The Future: Ekiti Youth Dialogue”, dissected what he calls mentorship development dialogue on reforming democratic governance and effective leadership for sustained prosperity and cohesion in Ekiti state.
He said since the creation of Ekiti state, it is noted for its overdependence on allocation from the federation account and low internally-generated revenue. Adding that this, no doubt continues to hinder the state from impacting positively on the lives of the people. ” A substantial portion of the resources of the state is committed monthly to the payment of salaries, wages and other personal emoluments of bureaucratic and political office holders. Since creation about twenty-nine years ago, Ekiti has had about thirteen governors. This level of instability, could be attributed to to the nature of Ekiti people and at the same time accounts for the slow pace of growth and development in the state”.
Mr Ajaja remarks”, one of the major challenges facing Ekiti state is how to create a context of stable political and socio- economic environment for policies and governance and leadership. The issue of getting the right leadership to propel governance has been a recurring decimal in Ekiti and Nigeria in general”. He opines that once this enabling environment is created, it becomes easy for the people to confront and resolve challenges facing them by using resources within their environment to create a condition of life where each stage is progressively better than the preceding one.
The Convener further posits that there is need for Nigerian young men and women to urgently reflect back on the values, visions and aspirations of Nigeria’s founding fathers and the institutionalization of leadership mentorship centres at local government levels across the state, as a platform for the emergence of credible leaders at the local,state and national levels in Nigeria,after which a ,” Policy Brief ” will be launched to engage local authorities and elected representatives through advocacy for inclusive governance and leadership, promote transparency and stakeholders participation in decision-making process to ensure that the voices of all young women and men are heard and valued.
In another paper, ”Democratic Institutions Processes : Promoting Transparency In Governance” by the Convener/ National President, Victory Advocates of Nigeria, VAN, Prince Seyi Ajibola, he remarked that by embedding transparency within these institutions and processes, democracies can build trust, foster inclusive development and ensure that governance serves the best interests of all citizens.
He said further that in a democracy, transparency is a fundamental principle that helps citizens to monitor the government, hold its officials accountable, and participate meaningfully in the decision-making process. To him,strong democratic institutions and processes are crucial for fostering this openness and building public trust.
In his presentation, ” The Standard for Effective Government Leadership: Public Service Leadership Model”, the Special Adviser to Ekiti state governor on Tourism, Mr Michael Peculiar Ekiran, pointed out that the workshop was a movement, a commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders who will uphold democratic values and advance good governance.
According to Ekiran”, every democracy stands on two pillars: the strength of its institutions and the character of its leaders. Where these two are weak, democracy suffers,where they are strong, democracy thrives”. He noted that today, Nigeria and Ekiti state need a new leadership ethos that is ethically visionary, inclusive and committed to development. Adding that this standard is what he calls’public Service Leadership Model’.
Other papers were presented on the following themes:
– Introduction to Ethical Leadership and Democratic Governance; Mr Oluwamuyiwa Ajaja
– Civic Engagement and Political Participation; Barrister Temitope Omotayo, the 2018 Governorship Candidate, Ekiti State Election.
Sixteen participants attended the workshop, supported by Nigeria Youth Future Fund.