Democracy and the role of youth, Bauchi Youth awaken

Mukhtar Muhammad Mk

A genuinely inclusive society needs to ensure that its youth participate in all its affairs, that young people’s views are included in development policies and that young people develop leadership skills. In Nigeria, youth have either remained marginalized or not played a role in the political process. This is largely due to institutional and policy constraints of the state and society.

Nigeria have ministry and departments with the explicit mandate of addressing youth issues, and have national youth policies and councils pursuant to their obligations prescribed by the constitution , but a lot still needs to done in order to achieve the mandates.

Nigerian youth have been only marginally involved in civic participation, electoral participation and providing a political voice. This is partly due to lack of quota systems in political processes and in political parties. Accordingly, youth remain on the fringe of political parties.

In some states there are mechanisms and policies in place for youth participation, these have not been implemented due to the vested interests of the established political elites.

“The dilemma continued inability to provide the appropriate political and economic frameworks for enhancing the productivity of the youthful population.

“In this respect, the future of economic and social transformation depends on the ability to effectively translate its large youthful population into a demographic dividend.

Despite this unfavorable context, youth have managed to negotiate and force their way to political participation and economic success. Bauchi State youth’s experience has provided an inspiring example about the determination of youth to fight for what they believe and bring about change.

Due to their determination to participate in changing Bauchi State and Nigeria, the gallant grand sons of Tafawa Balewa, came up with new organization “Bauchi State Youth Progressive Assembly”, BASYPA.

The advent of BASYPA have re-opened the discourse about democracy, democratization and the role of youth in governance in the Peal of Tourism. It has also given of youth social movements and initiatives across the state which empower young people.

BASYPA also suggests the use of mass media and modern communication technologies are important tools for mobilizing youth, and for facilitating, encouraging and building their capacity to take their rightful part in the development and political processes of their areas.

BASYPA took task of positive regional initiatives and encouraged governments to reform and adapt their systems in order to allow effective participation of young people.

A new Facebook group was created called “Bauchi State Youth Progressive Assembly (BASYPA) Bauchi Sai Masashi”, and a twitter account “#BauchiStateSaiMatasa”    which aims to “build solidarity and movemnets, share ideas, perspectives, lessons learnt, best practice, recommendations to ensure that youth are part and parcel of and drive the Democratization of the state.

The organization also set to partner National and international youth organizations, such as “ Y’en a marre ” (Enough is Enough) movement in Senegal; the “Communication for Development” in Cape Verde; the “Young Acting for Change” program in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo, and the People’s Union for Democratic Rights of India; and a lot others.

Mukhtar Muhammad Mk.

Azare, Bauchi State.

+2348037384843

mukhtarmuhammadmk@yahoo.com