Group, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in collaboration with Development and Integrity Intervention Goal, has trained about 18 youths to promote civic education in Ebonyi communities.
The two-day training under, “Strategic Civic Education and Advocacy for Accountability and Good Governance in Ebonyi State”, was supported by the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Correspondent reports that DIG Foundation is a Nongovernmental organization in Ebonyi state working on promoting good governance for the benefit of the masses.
The community champions were also engaged in awakening citizens’ consciousness in seeking accountability from the leaders.
The youth advocates known as Community Civic Education and Accountability Champions (C-CEC) are expected to step down the knowledge gathered in about 4 different communities in their local government.
There were presentations from resource persons from the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Enugu zonal office, National Human Rights Commission, National Orientation Agency and Independent experts
on advocacy strategies, roles, and responsibilities of citizens in promoting accountability and fighting corruption as well as issues in human rights and citizens’ active participation in governance.
The participants were also engaged in the social intervention programs under Governor Governor Francis Nwifuru’s charters of needs policy thrust in the state.
Speaking, the Executive Director, DIG Foundation, Oliver Aja, explained that the training was aimed at enlightening and increasing participants’ knowledge on basic human rights and democratic principles for building community-based advocates capable of influencing the larger society towards active participation in issues of governance.
Aja noted that Nigerians have lost hope in the nation, so the Champions would work to restore their hope and confidence by creating a better platform of understanding between the government and the populace.
“We have trained these champions to be civic education and accountability champions within their communities, in trying to rebuild citizens’ confidence in governance because people are not feeling very good about governance.
“These champions are the ones that will go to the communities and tell them that there is still hope by teaching them how to hold their elected and other political leaders accountable.
“We must hold our leaders accountable, because, when we don’t have active citizenry, our leaders will play around our emotions.
“Our leaders don’t do what we want or provide what we need but when we are together, collectively we can make demands and our leaders will sit up”.
He noted that the low participation of the people in active governance was a result of poor or absence of effective civic education.
Aja further said DIG is collaborating with other government agencies to establish a synergy between the government, its agencies, and the citizens for a better Nigeria.
Kennedy Ebhotemen Head, ICPC Enugu zonal office in his presentation urged citizens to raise and protect government projects in their area adding they should get the government and leaders to take responsibility for their actions.
On his part, a Development consultant, Ibiam Azu, commended DIG for building community champions to reshape the mindset of people to demand accountability from the government.
Me. Ibiam stressed that Nigerian citizens have not done enough to engage their political leaders and attributed the gap to citizens’ ignorance of the tremendous constitutional powers they have as citizens.
“We have not awakened the consciousness to engage the government, which also has not seen the value the citizens can add to governance.
“I’m happy with the program because change does not start with everybody, it can start with a small group because you cannot underestimate; the change which a small group of organized people can make.
“So, raising community champions will help the community and the people to understand that they are the beneficiaries of governance and could engage the government to take responsibility and ensure that people get what they are supposed to get.”
Participants, Mr. Samuel Ituma from Ngodo community and Okpara Ikechukwu from Amaezu Community both in Afikpo North Local Government Areas of the State in their submissions said that they would assiduously work as civic education Champions in their communities to reshape the mindset of the electorate.
Ituma who also works with Abraham Children Foundation pointed out that the training was an eye-opener for him as well as other participants.
“ I have been well enlightened, especially on the aspect of citizens’ active participation and engagement in governance.
“Before now, I had a different approach, but with the training, I will mobilize members of my community to understand their civic duties, their rights as citizens, and how to hold the government and leaders accountable.”
Okpara on his part said that training has exposed him to what he never knew and he would ensure that he passes the knowledge to his fellow youth at the community level.
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