A human rights campaigner, Citizens Voice Development Initiative (CVDI), has called for political and human rights education as a strategy to promote good governance and political stability.
The CVDI National Chairman, Chief Charles Okafor, said on Wednesday that such education would help the citizens to vote wisely, hold government accountable and make valuable input in government policies.
Okafor spoke in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He said that such education would also enable the citizens to stop blaming the Federal Government for all Nigeria’s problems, and demand good governance also from state and local governments.
He said that many Nigerians particularly rural dwellers did not know their rights and had no understanding of some government policies.
According to the chairman, some formally educated Nigerians also lacked political consciousness.
“That is why we have issues of voter apathy and people not holding leaders accountable for their deeds.
“There is a gap between what the people want and what policies achieve.
“ This disconnect encourages agitation,’’ Okafor said.
He pledged that CVDI would collaborate with similar organisations and political, traditional and religious leaders to carry out political and rights education at the grassroots.
He urged leaders to be alive to their responsibilities in order to position the country for greatness.
“Every leader should aim at giving his best to his people,’’ he said.
Okafor said CVDI was set up to give a voice to the citizens and make them a part of the development process.
He said that government should encourage participation of citizens in governance by reflecting their views and needs in policies and programmes.
He called on the mass media to promote values of patriotism, integrity and honesty for a better Nigeria.
NAN
