In alignment with the fellowship pillar on civic engagement, Najibullah Yau implemented his civic engagement activity by organizing a workshop on “Building Effective Democratic Governance through Active Citizen Participation”, and two discussants were involved — Mal. Idris Nuhu and Com. Najibullah Yau Musa. The event was held at Government Science Secondary School Birnin-Gwari Exams Hall , in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The target audience was 100 participants, comprising 50 students (10 from each of the five secondary schools within the metropolis) and 50 youths from various youth associations in the metropolis.
Core Objectives
The primary objectives of the sensitization program were to enhance awareness of democratic processes and to foster active civic participation among citizens. By focusing on these goals, the program aimed to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to engage meaningfully in the democratic system.
Key Outcomes:
The event sensitizes the participants on how to get engaged with the democratic governance through active citizen participation such as; Voting, petitioning, criticism, demonstration among others.
The team conducted physical advertisements and ensured they reached the target audience. The team enrolled 15 students into a mentorship program under the Najibullah Nakaka Foundation, focusing on political and civic participation. Five youth associations are now under mentorship for civic engagement. These associations, which were previously focused on partying and drugs, invited their leaders to attend the program. After the event, they learned about the role they can play in societal and youth development and decided to change the focus of their activities.
Lessons Learned
The sensitization program provided valuable insights across various topics. Participants gained a foundational understanding of the Nigerian Constitution, including its key components and the implications it holds for governance and citizen rights. Additionally, attendees learned about Nigerian political leadership positions, including the qualifications required to run for political office, the responsibilities associated with various roles, and the jurisdiction each position holds.
Voter education was another crucial aspect of the programme, wherein participants were educated on the requirements for voting and candidacy, as well as the conditions that might disqualify individuals from electoral participation. A deeper understanding of Nigerian citizenship was also developed, focusing on the rights and responsibilities that come with being a citizen. Finally, the programme emphasized the significance of citizen participation in democratic processes, encouraging engagement through voting, joining civic organizations, volunteering, and participating in peaceful demonstrations.
Recommendations
To further enhance civic engagement, several recommendations were proposed. Citizens are encouraged to obtain and study the Nigerian Constitution to fully comprehend their rights and responsibilities. Furthermore, young individuals should consider forming groups within their wards, constituencies, and local governments to actively participate in democratic processes. It was also suggested that school principals and representatives organize civic education sessions at least once per term to promote awareness among students. In addition, students were tasked with researching their nation, state, local government, and wards, with the objective of sharing their findings during school assemblies to educate their peers.
Way Forward/Next Steps
The Najibullah Nakaka Foundation has taken significant steps to continue this momentum by initiating a mentorship program focused on civic participation, further empowering students in their civic education journey. Following the sensitization program, three youth groups have partnered with the foundation to participate in upcoming civic education initiatives, as the foundation hosts three programs annually. Over the past three years, the foundation has been dedicated to raising public awareness about civic participation and democratic processes. Moving forward, it will continue its efforts through social media, community outreach, and youth forums, all aimed at promoting a more informed and engaged society.
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