Democracy in Nigeria is under threat, says Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said there is a battle going on for the heart and soul of the country.

He disclosed this in Abuja yesterday during the presentation of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Five-Year Strategic Plan (2021-2026) and review by selected stakeholders from ministries, departments and agencies, civil society and development partners.

The Vice President, who was represented by Senior Special Assistant for Policy Research in the Office of the Vice President, Chris Ngwodo, noted that the way to meet this challenge is to reawaken the hearts of young people, especially in Nigeria.

He said: “We are at a time in our history when NOA, because of its mandate, must come to the fore. There is a fight going on for the heart and soul of this country and a fight to change the fate of our society, as has already been observed.

“We face various challenges: the challenge of expanding inclusion cycles; the challenge of deepening democracy; the challenge of shaping social cognition; and the challenge of increasing opportunities for young society. “All these challenges border on issues of state legitimacy and the renewal of the social contract.”

In his speech, NOA CEO Dr. Garba Abari noted that the five-year strategic plan will guide the agency’s activities for the next five years.

He said: “The Government of Nigeria remains committed to putting in place sound policies and programs that will enable the country to achieve much-needed national development. These policies have relied largely on a direct reselection of available human and material resources, cultural realities and political beliefs, as well as policies and programs deeply rooted in deep democratic norms of accountability, transparency and fiscal discipline.

“This is because most policies and programs in the past have been stifled by the influence of corruption. Consolidating development is necessary and inevitable, even in the face of the challenges of implementing rural development policy, which the current administration is trying to face through direct financing of local governments and more effective monitoring of the spending of local government funds.

He added: “It is important to note, however, that no matter how well-intentioned government policies, programs and activities are, if there is no clear understanding of how to appropriate and benefit from these policies, programs and activities by the target community, such policies and programs will not be perceived as meeting the development needs of society and as such may become ineffective and powerless.”

The draft strategic plan was presented to selected stakeholders from government, civil society and development partners for review and input.