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Youths And Political Participation In Nigeria
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CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.1 INTRODUCTION
One of the challenges facing Africa today is how to provide opportunities for the continent’s more than 200 million youths so that they can have decent lives and contribute to the socio economic and political development of their countries (G. Genyi, 2016). According to the United Nations (2010), Africa’s population as of 2011 was estimated at 1.05 billion and is expected to double by 2050. About 70 percent of Africa population is 30 years of age or younger.
In 2011, youths, who are defined here as those between 15 and 35 years of age, constituted 21 percent of more than 1 billion people in Africa, whereas another 42 percent was less than 15 years old. Slightly more than half of the African youth population is female, and there are more rural dwellers than urban dwellers. With such a large proportion under 15 years of age, Africa’s youth population is expected to grow in the years to come while the Youths population in other parts of the world shrinks (Gyimah- Brempong and Kimenyi, 2013:2).
Since Nigerian independence in 1960, Nigeria has been struggling to install a viable and durable democracy but its dismal politics characterized by consistent inability to conduct credible and transparent elections in which its citizens have access effectively protected opportunities to exercise their franchise but in the choice of their leaders, has made the agenda of democratic sustainability largely a mirage. This accounts for the so many failed attempts at democratic transitions (Dudley, 1982; Akinsanya, 2005; Agbaje, 2005).
Youth political participation captures the involvement of youths in responsible and challenging political action that meets genuine needs of the people with opportunities for planning and/or decision-making affecting others in the political system. That is to say a political participation which involves recognizing and nurturing the strengths, interests, and abilities of young people through the provision of real opportunities for them to become involved in decision making that affects their daily life (Aniagoh, 2016).
Youth political participation fosters a sense of citizenship and makes policy processes more transparent and accountable towards young people. At the same time, helps the youth build self-confidence, develop a sense of initiative and acquire and test skills that are relevant for the workplace, such as communication, negotiation or teamwork, in a practical environment (EACEA, 2010/03).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
A close observation of the degree of political participation and training of youths in Nigeria tend to reveal that they have not been actively involved in the process of sharpening the political system. It is rather unfortunate that with the large population of youths and the kind of influence they can weigh on national development, they have been relegated to the background as the elderly politicians use them for various vices.
Nigeria is living witnesses to the fact that some youths are used as political thugs and touts during campaigns and election periods. For instance the youths criminals organization known as ‘Yan shara has being executing their evils operations especially in areas of Kawo, Unguwan Kudu and Tudun Wada. These criminals engage in different social vices using traditional weapons and their activities usually increase by significant percentage during campaign periods or election. In other instances, they are recruited as personal bodyguards to corrupt politicians.
While youths are being deployed as campaign agents for crowd mobilisation at rallies to chant political slogans and for successes at elections, at the end of the day they are relegated to the background. Even some positions they naturally deserve like the national youth leader, etc are assigned to people like Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo who is 46 years of age! That is far outside the scope of a youth.
After elections, the hopes and aspirations of the youths are usually ruined. All campaign and pre-election promises of vital appointments and jobs made by the so called elderly politicians, which mostly entice the youth to engage in sometimes untoward activities at campaign rallies remain largely unfulfilled after elections. It is noteworthy that on the rare instances those promises are fulfilled. But since the youths have a future ahead of them, they have to strive to seize such opportunities so as to secure their future in public life. It will be wise to have youths in various advisory boards, commissions, ministries, etc.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 3]
Page 1 of 3
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