Individuals make up a society. While the constituted
authority of the society leads, the people feel and follow the constituted
authority for a smooth sailing society, a public perquisite for all stakeholders.
“Around the world, a growing crisis of
legitimacy characterises the relationship between citizens and the institutions
that affect their lives. In both North and South, citizens speak of mounting
disillusionment with government, based on concerns about corruption, lack of
responsiveness to the needs of the poor and the absence of a sense of
connection with elected representatives and bureaucrats”. (Commonwealth
Foundation 1999)
Active citizenship as a socio-political ideology, advocates
that members of a community have certain roles and responsibilities to the society
they belong, although those members may not have specific governing roles. The
ideology posits that an active citizenry will bring about productive governance
structure either at the local, state, national or international level.
With over 160million individuals on its population
register, Nigeria is yet to experience a robust and dynamic citizens involvement
in crucial areas of its social life. Until recently, government and the people
had no connecting point, but the turn of events in the country has revealed
that the active citizen participation positions government and whilst engaging
the citizenry.
Who then is an active citizen? Although, there is no
universally accepted definition of who an active citizen is, yet there is a general
agreement that active citizens are those individuals who get involved in public
life and affairs, particularly at the grass-root level. They are citizens who
become actively involved in the life of their communities, tackling problems or
bringing about change or resisting unwanted change.
They develop requisite skills, knowledge and
understanding to be able to make informed decisions about their communities and
workplaces with the aim of improving the quality of life in the society. In
all, they constructively engage the society for the betterment of lives.
Since the 2011 general elections in Nigeria, citizens’
participation has assumed a more impressive dimension particularly at the
national level, as citizens now ask questions on various issues and answers are
being questioned on policies and arrangements that affect their existence. This
was further demonstrated, by what analysts call the "Nigerian
Spring", a protest that grounded economic activities in Africa's largest
oil producing nation for couple weeks in January 2012.
While the passion and pursuit to engage the government
especially at the national level has increased amongst citizens in recent time,
there is however, the need to assess the level of citizens’ participation at
the grass-root level.
With Nigeria's structure of a three-tier government,
the local government tier is supposed to be the closet to the people, as such
should be the most impactful (socially and politically) on the people.
Unfortunately, the situation leaves much to be desired.
Whilst local government authorities, make no concerted
effort to create a working connection between the people and itself, the people
themselves, find no reason to engage the local system, rather they find solace
in being their own local authority as such, heaping cosmic pressure on the
national and state government, whilst absorbing the local government of its responsibilities.
Apparently, the dearth of active citizenship at the
grassroot level is the hallmark of the many woes the Nigerian society is
experiencing today.
At the moment, Nigeria is grappling with high level of
terrorism and insecurity, an unfortunate situation which experts have linked to
unchecked youth unemployment and high illiteracy level, resulting from a weak
local engagement and empowerment.
If societies must function well, citizens must engage
well. A bad citizenry elects a bad authority, which will in turn govern in a
bad manner. Citizens’ participation brings about citizen power.
Our concentrations on national affairs are rather too
extensive for us to know what malfeasance are being perpetuated right under our
nostrils, all in the name of local government administration. I might not be
too wrong to posit that the most corrupt tier of government in Nigeria is the
local government, yet Nigerians find no point in tackling such.
Lets face it...Do YOU know your ward councillor? What
is the name of your Local Government (LG) Chairman? Where is your LG Council
located? This is a great way to check our level of participation at the local
level.
It is golden and divine to speak up when things are
going wrong and not when things are at already a nonredeemable stage. Nigerians
at all level must begin to speak up more loudly on issues that affect them and
their society starting from the local government level. The social media
provides anyone and everyone the platform to express his or her thoughts on
diverse issues as they so choose. Lets drive our society to our desired destination
through constructive criticism and enlightened engagement.
Other indicators for active citizenship include demonstrated
interest in socio-economic, political matters, volunteering with organisations
and networks, organising activities for the community, voting in elections,
participations in political parties, participation in interests groups,
participation in forms of peaceful protest, participation in public debate, et
al.
Societal successes are not achieved by the sole effort
of the constituted authority but by the collaborative effort of the citizens
and the government. Though such collaborations could be achieved through
forceful means, in as much it is aimed at improving the society, such is
encouraged.
Nigerians, let us rise with knowledge and sincerity to
play our roles and responsibilities as active citizens of this great country.
Tayo Elegbede JET,
Twitter Handle- @tayojet1
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