Amb Rachael Adewumi, being the president of a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), the TAKEM Empowerment Initiatives (TEIs) that empowers youths, among graduates and non graduates, has explained why her NGO has been in support of youths’ encouragement into democracy and leadership by the Tinubu – led Federal Government (FG).
Chief (Mrs) Adewumi who doubles as the woman leader, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTs) addressed selected journalists in her office, while marking the 2023 International Democracy (IDD).
A yearly event, the IDD is marked from September the 15th and the theme for the one of 2023 is: “Empowering the Next Generation,” focuses on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world. Started by the United Nations (UN) and celebrated all over the world now, it was first created in 2007, with the aims to highlight what is good about democracies, and to encourage people to keep them alive.
With the slogan that: “Democracy Is Not a Necessity, but a Right of Every Individual,” as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, IDD is marked to celebrate the values of democracy, as a way for people to participate in public discussions on what is important to them. It is also marked with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy, invite all member states and organizations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness on its importance.
In her point, Dr Rachael Adewumi said inclusion of youths in Mr President’s cabinet was in line with the theme of the 2023 IDD. She added that steps taken by the present government in office would motivate the youth toward embracing leadership and democracy, as the future leaders.
Commending the All Progressives Congress (APC) – led FG for embracing youths and encouraging them into democracy and leadership, the NGO president hailed Mr President giving misterial appointments to some youths, such as Dr Betha Edu, 37 years, as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs; Engr Olubunmi Tunde – Ojo, 41, Minister of Interior; Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, 43, Minister of State for Police Affairs; Barr Hanatu Musawa, Arts and Culture; Shuaibu Audi, 43 Steel Development; Joseph Utsev, 43, Water Resources and; Doris Uzoka, 42 for the Industry, Trade and Investment, she said that the appointment given to those youths were in tandem with the theme of the 2023 celebration, adding that it will go a long way to encourage involvement and inclusion of the youth in leadership of various countries. Chief (Mrs) Adewumi further noted that it is a way of ensuring that the young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world.
Extolling the celebration’s slogan of, “democracy is a right, not a necessity, Adewumi however reiterated that more youths be given appointments, which if done, according to her, would go a long way to fashion democracy and leadership the way it will suit their in the future, in line with the international best practices. “Their involvement in politics and leadership as leaders of tomorrow will able them face up the challenges ahead,” adding that the act of governance with that of leadership is one of the most difficult of all arts
While making case for stability in politics within and outside Nigeria, saying that it will among others, stabilise the economy, Chief Rachael Adewumi however urged economic and political empowerment to the youth. She therefore informed that in her NGO, they train and empower youths, among the graduates and non graduates in different trades. This, he enjoined the government, well – to – do companies, individuals and international organisations to be doing, saying that such will also motivate youths into leadership and also enable them face the future as leaders and compete favourably with other countries in promoting democracy.
