We hope you enjoy reading this.
So tonight’s discussion is on Civic engagement and the relevance of youths. This is something close to my heart and I’m lookibg forward to a very interactive and fun session 🤓.
First off, can someone tell us what he/she understands by Civics and civic engagement?- “Think on it”.
As citizens, we have certain rights and responsibilities. Civics basically is the study of these rights and duties to help us become better citizens. Civic engagement involves participating in things which involve us and our society, carrying out our duties as responsible citizens and exercising our rights. In order to do these, we need to get adequate knowledge of these rights and duties first, and act on them.
We have a very important role to play in how our society turns out. So it’s a trap to leave the job to the government. That is why we need to get involved.
As youths, it is very important that we understand our relevance. When we get civically responsible and engaged, we’re contributing to bring about a tangible difference in our lives and the lives of others around us. Almost everywhere you go today, it’s almost a given that you’ll hear complaints about the state of the nation and Africa aa a whole, “the leaders are bad, corrupt, we lack vision,” etc.
My question is, What are you doing about it?
Many people don’t understand that civic engagement involves both political and non-political processes. Which I think is why many tend to leave the outcome of our society in the hands of our politicians or those who wield some power or political influence. Worse still, some of us believe that we have to get into power first before we can get anything done. But there are many other ways to be involved civically. You might feel that as youths, you have nothing to offer, but civic engagement avenues include participating in the electoral process by weighing aspirants and voting for the right ones, volunteerism and community service, obeying the law, paying your taxes, creating awareness about important issues, building relevant knowledge and skills to add value to society, etc
Anything you can within your power to make lives and spaces better, no matter how small. For instance, you’re good with mathematics and there’s a kid in your area who needs help with that, helping him/her out has made a difference.
Because of you, he/she understands the topics better, which will improve school performance and help achieve good results.
The gutters in your street are blocked and/or smelly, instead of waiting for the government to come, how about mobilizing your neighbors and do some joint cleaning and clearing. I get annoyed when people assign themselves arm-chair critics about how our streets are dirty. What about your own contribution to the problem? The nylons and empty bottles didn’t get there themselves.
It’s high time we looked at ourselves and realize how culpable we are too through our actions and inactions. Even if there are no trash cans around, hold on to your trash and when you see one, throw it there, don’t litter the environment.
Sometimes, people see a dust bin and still fling dirty stuff on the floor. Is it the government or a bad leader that is doing that?
We dump this anywhere and block waterways… Then the floods come and we scream and yell.
There’s one thing I do, when I’m out and there’s no where to throw stuff, I put them in a side pocket of my bag or hold on to it till I find a dust bin. It’s a little gesture, but I know I’m doing my own part to make the environment better. I can’t clean up all the mess, but at least I’m not adding to it.
During election seasons, it is both our duty and right to ask key questions and demand that these leaders do right by us. Beyond the same old light, good roads and water.
Many months ago, a lot of campaigns were made on getting PVC to vote and it pained me that youths like me refused, claiming there’s no point anyway. My own is, even if you’ve not decided on who to vote for yet, empower yourself first. It would be painful to find someone and not be able to, because you didn’t get the right tool.
Another extreme part is focusing on getting PVC alone without focusing on the quality of leaders we’re bringing in. How about what they stand for, the plans they have for the nation? We cannot afford to be docile citizens, we need to “shine eye” and scout well. Ask questions, demand accountability.
Many people are cheated out there because they don’t know their own rights and have no interest in doing that. So basically, civic engagement is a must for all of us, especially youths. Everyone else is important, but youths are “importanter”.
Many of our elders are already set in their ways, youths have the energy, vibe, flexibility and to a certain extent, time. We can still easily learn, unlearn and relearn stuff. When the old ones leave, the onus falls on us to make our worlds better, so what are we doing about it?
Mind you, It’s not about shouting not too young to run up and down. Apart from political office, start where you are now and do something! Volunteer for a cause you believe in, help someone, impart knowledge, take time to learn about the state of the nation, do your own little bit. Another advantage we have now is our ability to form networks. You have a project or business that makes sense, and you’re wasting human beings like that, going around town and just flexing…nothing else.
Why not join hands together and make a major move? We can’t just be disinterested and be apathetic about what’s going on around us. Or simply throw our hands up and say “e go better”, “God will do it”. Pfft! God will make things better, but it’s through you and I.
Check out Slum 2 School Africa for example, the founder, Otto Orondaam started something to make that lives of disadvantaged kids in Makoko better. Now thousands of children are in school, getting access to education and opportunities that will lift them. He allowed himself to be used by God. Mind you, this was while doing his NYSC o. Let’s bring it home, this amazing platform was started by a young person. Now many people are better because of Developing Afrika…
Not everyone will start a NGO or go into politics, but everyone can contribute.
Beyond calling out bad leaders and demanding accountability, our duty all includes supporting our leaders. I meant by giving constructive criticism, preferring solutions, obeying the law, etc. It’s funny how we can complain and find fault, but not take the time to think of something better and being it to the table. No matter how good a leader is, bad followers will always sabotage his/her efforts. Like the trash issue… It’s not as if some LGA reps don’t place community bins, but you and I will still throw stuff on the floor. So you see, if we want our society to be better, we need to do our part
Moving on… What are the benefits of civic engagement? Getting civically involved can help you build relevant life skills, experience and knowledge.
For instance, when you volunteer, you get to pick up new skills and hone existing ones, relate with other people and this might help build better communication skills. In fact, you build your network of like-minded people. How about the things you learn from others?
Personally, I’ve gotten access to opportunities and people I never thought I could meet through volunteering and community service. Also, you get to have a say in how your community turns out. I’m not saying just by getting involved, things fall into place magically, but you know you did your part. You also gain more knowledge of what’s happening around you.
The whole point is to make that decision to develop that sense of civic responsibility and make sure it reflects in our day to day activities.
Taking care to relate with others in a civil manner, doing whatever we can to make others better and making sure we have a say in how our society turns out through electoral participation. These little gestures go a long way to help us build stronger and better communities, nations and a better Africa.
However we need to get and develop the necessary skills and knowledge to help us do this.
If it’s through writing, then commit to writing to impart knowledge, shape minds, raise awareness, share the truth, etc. If it’s through your business, your social media pages, your leadership position as a class rep, etc. just do whatever it takes to make lives and spaces around you better.
And always go around with the mindset that this is your duty. Phew! I think I’ll just end here. Just remember that you are very important and relevant to building and developing a better Africa, so get involved!
We enjoyed this session with Ms. Esther Opone. She can be reached on social media as the value adder.
