Posts

Beyond June 12: Youth, Democracy, and the Burden of Exclusion in Nigeria

Image
  June 12 is more than a date, it is a symbol of stolen hope and a stark reminder of the fragility of Nigeria’s democratic experiment. The annulment of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in our nation’s history, not only betrayed the will of the people, but also exposed the dangerous extent to which power can override democratic choice. It left a lasting scar on our national conscience and a legacy of distrust that still echoes through our political landscape today. More than three decades later, Nigerian youth are still grappling with the enduring legacy of that democratic betrayal. Despite making up the majority of the population, young people remain largely sidelined from the corridors of power, excluded from decision-making, underrepresented in political office, and often absent from the spaces where national priorities are shaped and decisions that affect their future are made. As we commemorate June 12, we must move beyond symbolic...
Post a Comment
Read more

FGM in Nigeria: From Cultural Tradition to Human Rights Violation—Why Action is Urgent

Image
  Human rights are fundamental to ensuring equality and dignity for all, serving as a benchmark for governance worldwide. While global attention has increasingly focused on the protection and implementation of these rights, grave violations persist—driven by war, socio-cultural practices, and systemic discrimination. These violations span gender-based violence, discriminatory policies, misgovernance, and power imbalances. In response, global and regional institutions have strengthened efforts through treaties, conventions, and national laws. Advocacy and awareness campaigns remain vital in driving behavioural and policy changes to uphold human rights, especially for women and girls. Amid global discussions on human rights, gender-based violence remains a critical concern. This pervasive issue includes various forms of violence driven by gender, sexual orientation, or societal expectations. Alarmingly, UN data shows that nearly one in three women worldwide has experienced phy...
Post a Comment
Read more

Is it Democracy or a Demography Contest?

Image
Is it Democracy or a Demography Contest? There is an escalating lack of trust among citizens towards their governments. This trend is particularly pronounced given the significant proportion of the global population that falls within the youthful age bracket. However, it's worth noting that the definition of 'youth' varies across regions and countries, often being employed contextually or conveniently for certain agendas. Despite comprising over 60% of the world's population, individuals within this age group are significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, accounting for less than 10% of global leadership roles. This leadership deficit among the young population has fueled widespread discontent and agitation for greater inclusion in governance processes. In the 21st century, democracy stands as the prevailing model of governance, emphasizing the will of the people and operating within constitutional frameworks. However, it's essential to recognize that...
2 comments
Read more

“I shall Always Listen To You, I shall Never Turn Back on you!”

  On Democracy Day, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the Nigerian people amidst high expectations. His speech came at a critical time when the country is experiencing significant economic challenges, including high inflation, increasing taxes, rising electricity tariffs, and a declining education system.  With the level of hardship in the country, which the government has consistently acknowledged and admitted are connected to its policies and actions, many people Nigerians probably listened to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech with the hope of announcement of some changes that would deduce the current level of despair among the citizens.   In a period of one year of his administration, Nigerians have experienced significant economic challenges linked to high inflation rate, increase in taxes, rise in the pump price of petrol, rising electricity tariffs, and astronomical rise in the cost of living associated with the increase in the cost of essenti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Examining Child Marriage in the Nigerian Constitution 1

The Nigerian 1999 Constitution is the supreme law of the land and serves as a guide for the country's governance and legal system. It outlines the rights, duties, and freedoms of citizens, including those related to child marriage. In this article, we will examine the provisions of the constitution regarding child marriage and its validity in Nigeria. Child  marriage is defined as the union between a child and an adult or between two children below the age of 18. It is a widespread practice in many countries, including Nigeria, where it is estimated that 41% of girls are married before the age of 18. Child marriage is a human rights violation and has serious consequences for the health, education, and future of the child involved.  The Nigerian 1999 Constitution recognizes the right of every individual to marry, but it also imposes certain restrictions to protect the welfare of children. Section  29(2) of the constitution states that no person shall be subjected to tortur...
Post a Comment
Read more