Abdullahi Shitu conducted a civic engagement event on September 29, 2024, at Government Girls Secondary Kofar Wambai, Bauchi, as part of his fellowship requirements. The session, attended by 60 students, focused on teaching them how to be active and engaged citizens in their communities. The highly interactive and informative session covered the fundamentals of active citizenship and the roles individuals can play in holding the government accountable.
Core Objectives:
The primary goal was to enlighten the students on how to be active participants in their communities by staying informed, engaging in public policy debates, and speaking up on issues that matter to them. The session aimed to spark interest in civic engagement among the students.
Key Outcomes:
The event was insightful and engaging, fostering a deeper understanding of civic awareness. The students learned how their involvement in civic matters can shape public policy and influence the future of their communities.
Lessons Learnt/Recommendation:
During the session, Abdullahi emphasized the importance of voting as a crucial civic duty, highlighting its role in driving change in governance and policy formulation. He also noted that many students were unaware of how to become active citizens before the session, making the event a timely and valuable opportunity for them to get involved in their communities.
Abdullahi identified a lack of civic awareness as a key factor contributing to civic and political apathy in Nigeria. To address this, he recommends expanding civic engagement programmes to reach more grassroots communities through radio, TV, and town hall meetings. He also suggested targeting students in various schools to encourage them to speak up and stay informed about issues that affect them.
Unexpected Outcomes:
The session sparked unexpected interest in holding more community engagements and sensitization programmes at the local level. There was also a strong advocacy for youth involvement in policy debates, with participants expressing a desire to take more active roles in shaping their communities.
Way Forward/Next Steps:
Inspired by the success of this session, Abdullahi plans to expand the reach of his civic awareness campaigns across Bauchi State, targeting more schools for greater participation. He aims to collaborate with traditional, religious, and community leaders to implement the lessons and recommendations from the session in ways that benefit local communities. His goal is to sustain the momentum and promote more youth inclusion in policy debates and governance.
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