The immediate past Cross River State Commissioner For Lands Prof John inyang has charge central political class to reawaken their in ward gesture of self Reorientation.
A BRIEF SPEECH ON THE PLACE OF THE CENTRAL IN PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY.
- Elder Prof. John Ofem Inyang. (Immediate past Commissioner for Lands).
Protocol:
I must admit that this gathering is a deliberate one aimed at fostering unity and protecting the collective interests of the good people of the central senatorial district in Cross River State. It is apt I must add. I have no doubt that this laudable idea was informed by either the absence of the benefits of democracy in the central or the need to ginger the people of the central to awaken the requisite variables that will eventually attract such democratic dividends.
I will therefore, commend the organizers of this event for such a deep reflection in the affairs of the central. The theme of this program for me does not require huge academic research for anyone to deal on. It does not require the consultation of the internet or AI apps to enable one speak on the topic especially if such a person is from the central. The simplicity of the theme enables us to reflect on the political activities of the central senatorial district and where we have failed to do the needful for our common good or collective interest.
We are a community of 6 local government areas with 66 political wards. Our level of political participation therefore, cannot be adequately assessed without looking at each ward and its peculiarities in terms of location and access to basic needs such as quality education, good health care, youth development, social infrastructure and general development. It is expected that democracy enables the availability of all these necessities being shared equitably by the drivers of governmental processes.
Engagement of ward members in decision-making under a democratic dispensation is inevitable especially from the process of involvement in deciding who the drivers of government are through elections. Choosing representatives in government is a primary function and fundamental political obligation we all owe ourselves. This must however, be made deliberately by creating the necessary awareness through interaction and education. The expected participants in decision-making in democratic system are not restricted to any class of persons but to all members of the political ward whether literate or illiterate. The simple orientation of educating our communities on how to vote or choose our representatives is the task given to all of us in this hall. Our core values in the central may be diverse but can deliberately be channeled towards attaining common goals.
Mr Chairman, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Permit me to state categorically that We have a huge challenge before us. Our level of political awareness and participation in the central is very very low if we consider past processes. Apathy, lack of trust and confidence in our leaders at all levels are some of the key factors that have contributed to the low participation in democratic processes especially in choosing our leaders. It may be argued that there are other general problems across the country that may have caused the low participation thereby making it a generic task. I will quickly admit that but also state that the perceived weak socioeconomic and political institutions in Nigeria as a whole can rightly be strengthened by you and I at our various ward levels. This of course is a possibility if we remain conscious of our inherent moral values and demonstrate them in practical terms as foundations for all our decisions and actions within the ambience of democracy.
This will take us into democratic values as well which in the context of today’s event I will describe as Equity, Fairness and Justice. When we uphold these values as we participate in decision-making then the dividends of democracy will never elude us. When the gains are glaring, it will boost a higher level of participation and eliminate apathy.
Our youths, elites and key political players in the central should therefore, wake up and pull the bull by the horns to ensure that the necessary environment is created for the people at every ward to be given a new orientation to participate actively and massively in decision-making by choosing representatives that will drive the process of attracting benefits.
I emphasize on creating political awareness at the ward level because once the foundation or roots of a tree are alive, the trunk will naturally flourish.
Great ‘Centralites’ if you permit me to address you as such, whatever democratic or political orientation we introduce to tbetter our participation in democracy will fail if we do not deliberately strengthen our unity and share common positive values that will improve on our well being economically. We must include strategies that will either eliminate or reduce poverty radically, drastically and diametrically. Every home at the ward level must be given a sense of belonging in benefiting from the expected dividends of democracy. I mean every home. Where representatives discriminate in the sharing of democratic benefits, there is bound to be violence, apathy and lawlessness.
While everyone is needed during elections, let everyone be a beneficiary of the dividends democracy offers.
Our youths who are key players must be taken care of by providing job opportunities and empowering them for self reliance. The deliberate introduction of entrepreneurial schemes in a modern world cannot be overemphasized. Entrepreneurship is a path way of relieving government of the task of taking care of everyone. Entrepreneurship creates the demonstration of our potentials and talents or creativity. Let the youths be empowered by providing them with the required capital and capacity to develop themselves in entrepreneurial skills. Once our youths are busy violence will be eliminated from our wards.
Mr Chairman, today the youths of Cross River State are no longer leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today. Past and present governments have created avenues for the youths to participate in governance massively. Occupying key political positions and offices. Making decisions thereby maturing in leadership on a fast track. For those who may not have the opportunity to participate in governance at the same time, we must build in them the capacity to establish enterprises to cater for their well being.
On the required orientation, let every youth do what I call self orientation. You have the inherent moral values to orient yourself without waiting for another person to do that. Ask yourself some basic and self indicting questions such as must I be a political thug to survive or a political participant? Must I carry a gun or matchet for a politician whose children are overseas studying? Must I eat from the crumps of the so called masters? Do I have the right fingers for voting in elections as a process of deciding who represents me? Answers to all the questions can possibly be provided by you. Every rational being will answer these self indicting questions in the positive. Let’s stop sacrificing for politicians to our detriment. That era is gone. We must rather participate actively in political activities for our collective wellbeing in lieu of violence. The youths, do not wait for someone to orient you. Give yourself the necessary orientation and together we all will participate actively in democratic processes to our collective advantage.
Finally, we need regular gatherings such as this to review our political activities and make corrections where necessary. We must meet regularly to refresh our thoughts on building a formidable and resilient senatorial district.
We must meet regularly to constructively criticize our representatives and also the followers where things are on the wrong track. Our representatives should deliberately create avenues to brief their constituents periodically on their activities in government and consult the people on what they want or what they prefer. That is the essence of representationism.
With this we are bound to be in control. Our unity and strength must never be compromised. We must guard it jealously and benefit immensely from our collective political participation.
Thank you and God bless us.
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