HipCity joins all well-meaning Nigerians today, as Nigeria commemorates Democracy Day, a significant milestone that marks the return to democratic governance in 1999. Democracy celebration indeed remains a milestone for every country, more as it rekindles the push for democratic tenets for its citizens.
True democracy consists of four key elements, a political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections, the active participation of the people as citizens in politics and civic life, protection of the human rights of all citizens and the rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.
Despite the strides made since the return to democratic rule, Nigerians continue to grapple with a plethora of critical issues that continue to stifle growth and create harsh living environment for Nigerians.
In recent times, high inflation rates especially food inflation, dwindling economy and unemployment have placed immense pressure on household incomes and standard of living. The gap between the rich and poor widens daily, exacerbating social inequalities. Millions of Nigerians now live below minimum wage which is barely $30 (Thirty Dollars) as reported highlights of the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index survey culled from the National Bureau of Statistics, reveal that- 63% of persons living within Nigeria (133 million people) are multi-dimensionally poor. Over half of the population of Nigeria are multi-dimensionally poor and depend on dung, wood or charcoal for cooking rather than cleaner energy as the prices of cooking continue to soar. High deprivations are also apparent nationally in access to sanitation, healthcare services, food safety and security and housing.
The recently removed fuel subsidy by the Tinubu-led administration has further deepened poverty in Nigeria, as the impact of the subsidy removal has affected every segment of the economy leading to closure of many micro, small and medium scale enterprises and even some multinational companies which has further escalated to loss of jobs for many and/or downsizing of staff in many organizations.
We watch as many Nigerians especially those living in rural communities and informal settlements still lack access to essential services such as reliable electricity, clean water, and efficient transportation networks. These deficiencies hinder economic growth and quality of life. The healthcare system remains underfunded and overwhelmed, leading to poor health outcomes and brain drain of professionals seeking better opportunities abroad while educational institutions struggle with inadequate resources and facilities, plagued with strike actions that impedes the development of the nation’s human capital.
Insecurity threats from insurgents in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, and secessionist movements in the Southeast have continued to destabilize regions, resulting to loss of lives, displacement of communities, and economic disruptions.
Despite efforts to curb corruption, it remains a significant impediment to good governance, eroding public trust in institutions and diverting resources meant for development. Not to mention the burden of debt Nigeria is currently grappling with, even as the nation’s leaders continue to borrow funds from international development partner and bilateral affiliate nations to spend majority of it on frivolities that enriches only the political elites.
Democracy thrives when the systems supporting it are robust and inclusive. As we celebrate our Democracy day today, it provides the nation’s leaders an opportunity to reflect on the challenges encumbering the nation, and explore sustainable solutions to resolve the situations through strategic pathways.
As an organization working in marginalized, hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities we call upon the government to implement the following recommendations:
- Launch targeted economic stimulus programs focusing on job creation, especially for youth and women. Encourage investment in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through favorable policies and financial incentives.
- Prioritize the upgrade and expansion of critical infrastructure across the country. Invest in renewable energy projects to provide sustainable electricity, expand transportation networks to boost productivity and connectivity.
- Allocate increased funding to healthcare and education. Implement comprehensive health insurance schemes to ensure universal healthcare coverage and invest in teacher training and educational materials to improve the standard of education.
- Enforce stringent anti-corruption measures, by establishing transparent governance practices and hold public officials accountable. Encourage citizen participation in governance through technology-driven platforms that promote transparency and responsiveness.
We implore the government to uphold the ideals of democracy, respect the rule of law and do right by the Nigerian people by protecting the lives and welfare of its citizens.
We reaffirm our commitment to the democratic ideals of justice, equity, and freedom, where every citizen enjoys dividend of democracy. We are convinced that in addressing these challenges head-on and strengthening our systems, the government can ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians and pave the way for a prosperous and inclusive future.
Signed
Mr Bassey Bassey
Executive Director, Hipcity Innovation Centre
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About HipCity:
HipCity Innovation Centre, is a research, development and advocacy organization, with a focus to support everyone especially youths have the right mind-set to create wealth through skills, coexist, value human rights, respect the rule of law, realize their full potential, and meaningfully become tools for positive sustainable development.
