Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The Programme Manager and Governance Adviser for Democracy, Rule of Law, and Gender of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Laolu Olawum,i has enjoined young Nigerians to demand transparency and accountability from democratic institutions at all levels in the country.
Also the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) reminded some youths that concluded legislative internship programme at the National Assembly to endeavour to put the leadership skills and knowledge they gained to good use by contributing to the development of the country.
Speaking at the Model Legislative Assembly Session organised by PLAC with support by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance Programme, Olawumi said that Nigeria’s democracy will only consolidate if young Nigerians insist on transparent, accountable institutions at every levels.
She challenged the interns to ensure that they utilize the knowledge and experience gained during the programme to continue to hold institutions accountable even they aspire for future leadership role.
She noted that Nigeria’s democratic resilience matters for Nigerian citizens and for the region and the world at large.
Olawumi said: “This internship is not about producing future politicians. It may well be about that, but it’s not just all about that. It is about forming citizens who understand governance and how to engage it.
“Nigeria’s democracy will only consolidate if informed, principled young Nigerians like you insist on transparent, accountable institutions at every level, she said.
The EU scribe told the participants that democracy is not just about elections, but that it encompasses, “day-to-day lawmaking, oversight, citizens’ participation, and the difficult work of building consensus in a diverse country like ours.
“Use your knowledge to explain these processes in simple language to your communities, you are all now ambassadors, ambassadors of Nigeria, and representatives of your communities.
“Second thing I would like you to really focus on is ensuring that you continue to hold institutions accountable,” she said.
Executive Director of PLAC, Mr Clement Nwankwo, said the internship has exposed the participants to the realities of lawmaking, representation, oversight work, legislative research, and the day-to-day operations in the National Assembly.
He said the internship programme will enable the beneficiaries to be able interrogate those in in leadership positions and to make their contributions to the development of the country.
In his remarks, the Clerk of the National Assembly, said the legislative internship programme, organised by PLAC has become one of the country’s foremost platforms for nurturing young professionals with a practical understanding of legislative practice and democratic institutions.