IDD: NGO Commends Mobilisation of Youths to Participate in the Nation’s Democracy

The President of a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), TAKEM Empowerment Initiatives (TEIs), Amb Rachael Adewumi, has commended efforts aimed at mobilising youths to patcipate actively in the nation’s democracy and disclosed that TEIs is at forefront of ramping up support for youths participation into various democratic processes and leadership, especially as it concerns the President Tinubu led administration.

Chief (Mrs) Adewumi who is also the Woman Leader, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTs), briefed selected journalists in her office, on the occasion of the 2023 International Day of Democracy (IDD).

A yearly event, the IDD is marked on September the 15th and the theme for 2023 is: “Empowering the Next Generation,” focuses on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world.

Endorsed by the United Nations (UN) and celebrated all over the world now, IDD was first observed in 2007, with the intent to highlight the positive impact of democracy and to encourage people to keep tenets alive.

With the slogan; “Democracy Is Not a Necessity, but a Right of Every Individual,” as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, IDD is marked to celebrate the values of democracy, as a way for people to participate in public discussions on what is important to them. It is also marked with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy, invite all UN member states and organizations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness on its importance.

In her point, Dr Rachael Adewumi said inclusion of youths in Mr President’s cabinet was in line with the theme of the 2023 IDD. She added that steps taken by the present government in office would motivate the youth toward embracing leadership and democracy, as the future leaders.

Commending the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government for embracing youths and encouraging them into democracy and leadership, the NGO president hailed Mr. President for giving ministerial appointments to some youths, such as Dr Betha Edu, 37, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs; Engr Olubunmi Tunde – Ojo, 41, Minister of Interior; Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, 43, Minister of State for Police Affairs; Barr Hanatu Musawa, Arts and Culture; Shuaibu Audi, 43 Steel Development; Joseph Utsev, 43, Water Resources and; Doris Uzoka, 42, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

She said that the appointment given to those youths were in tandem with the theme of the 2023 celebration, adding that it will go a long way to encourage involvement and inclusion of the youth in leadership of various countries.

Chief (Mrs) Adewumi further noted that it is a way of ensuring that the young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world.

While extolling the celebration’s slogan of, “democracy is a right, not a necessity, Adewumi however reiterated the need for more youths to be given appointments, which if done, according to her, would go a long way to fashion democracy and leadership the way it will suit them in the future, in line with the international best practices.

“Their involvement in politics and leadership as leaders of tomorrow will enable them face up the challenges ahead,” adding that the art of governance with that of leadership is one of the most difficult of all arts

Chief Rachael Adewumi however called for economic and political empowerment for the youth.

She informed that in her NGO, they train and empower youths, among the graduates and non graduates in different trades. This, he enjoined the government, well – to – do companies, individuals and international organisations to be doing, saying that such will also motivate youths into leadership and also enable them face the future as leaders and compete favourably with other countries in promoting democracy.