President Buhari, Can the Mentoring Programme start just now?

In the Next Level Agenda, Buhari promised to create a special mentoring programme in governance with young graduates working with Ministers and other senior government appointees. This is more than two years into his second term and nothing has been done as regards the mentoring programme.

One of the obstacles hindering young people’s participation in politics at the individual level according to UN Global Youth report 2016 is lack of knowledge about political processes. The UN 2016 Global Youth Report shows that nearly 53 percent of young college graduates say they always vote in national elections, in comparison with about 44 percent of all 18–29-year-olds. Other groups that are likely to lack the required knowledge to participate are marginalized youth such as minorities, unemployed youth, and those living in isolation and/or poverty. A weak understanding of democratic principles and electoral processes makes it more difficult for youth to perceive elections as routes to express their grievances, demand change, and hold governments accountable.

As a country with a young population, it is very important that youths are engaged in formal governance processes and have a say in formulating today and tomorrow’s politics. As we all know, inclusive political participation is not only a fundamental political and democratic right but also is crucial to building stable and peaceful societies and developing policies that respond to the specific needs of younger generations. For youths to participate in politics, they must know their rights and be given the necessary knowledge and capacity to participate in a meaningful way at all levels.

This promise is in line to tackle the issue of citizenship education. The importance of citizenship education can’t be overemphasized as it helps our society to create an active and responsible citizenry, willing to participate in the life of the nation and play its part in the democratic process.

We call on the president not to leave this promise on paper, we hope to see this programme start with immediate effect and tremendous alacrity.

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