By Palma Ileye
Society for the Youth and the Downtrodden, SOYD, has unveiled the Good Governance Studio, to enhance Democracy in the country.
Speaking during the commissioning, President and Executive Director of SOYD, Comrade Gabriel Ogwuche stated that Democracy still remains the institutional common sense for national growth and development.
Ogwuche said, “We strongly believe that it is the existence of problems in the society and the need to address them that necessitated democracy. A society that has no problems shall have no need for democracy because there will be nothing to democratize and to democratize society is to address societal problems. As a group, we shall continue to use the instrumentality of democracy to address our common problems in Nigeria.
“I stand here today on behalf of the board, the Governing Board of Trustees of Society for Youth and the Downtrodden in Nigeria, to dedicate Good Governance Studio to Democracy.”
He noted that the Good Governance Studio was not just a studio but an institution, saying that it is an institution deliberately constructed and reconstructed to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
He said that it aims at promoting effective communication and interaction among the various stakeholders within the social, economic, and political ecosystem and subsystem, not only in Nigeria but also beyond the shore of this country.
“As you are already aware, our commitment to the plight of the rural Nigerians is traditional and absolute in nature. Through this initiative, we shall continue to respond to the plight of the rural individuals, households, and communities across the country. What we are doing here today is a business and has to do with the business of governance.
“Therefore, as a group, Good Governance Studio is conceived to strengthen democracy and to give meaning to Democracy and by extension to give people reason to embrace peace. We are advocates of peace and we feel that one of the strongest instruments that can be used to champion that peace is to engage Democracy because we are under a democratic regime in Nigeria. So the essence of Good Governance Studio is to strengthen democracy and by extension bring about peace and inclusivity by all Nigerians in this country.
“It is therefore important to note that the business of governance is a stakeholder business as no one had ever claimed to have power and energy to carry on the task of nation building alone,” he said.
He said this step was a demonstration of the SOYD’s resilience, commitment, support towards securing the future adding that, “Our action is in the interest of peace and peaceful coexistence. Our action is in the interest of democracy and good governance. Our action is in the interest of national unity and security. Our action is in the interest of transparency and accountability. Our action is in the interests of the indivisibility of Nigerian people. Today, the journey has begun. And for every major step of this kind, a good process is required.”
The President continued: “Fundamentally speaking, I think many of you are aware that we are operating in a capitalist society. A capitalist society that is located in the Gulf of Guinea, where basic opportunity for sources and survivor is not given but deliberately searched for, recognized, and grabbed by prospective and aggressive individuals.
“A parasitic society where what you know sometimes does not really matter what do you know. We are operating in a capitalist society where basic opportunity for sources and survivor is almost, if not already, in the lion’s mouth.
“The question therefore at the moment is to what extent can the vulnerable Nigeria, the poor, the downtrodden, the elderly, the aged, the women, the persons living with disability, the deaf
and dumb, the crippled beggars, the blind, just to mention but a few, withstand the pressure resulting from the capitalist struggle in the society?
“Or can I just simply say in Africa? Is there not a cause? Is there not a need for mental and moral revolution on the part of every stakeholder to cushion the effect? I think these are some of the reasons that actually necessitated our action here today. And our action is in the interest of the nation.
“Today, I wish to inform you on behalf of the board that all the necessary processes required for us to deliver a mandate have been completely validated by the board. I think our roles here as leaders is to stimulate the action, optimizing the content and deliver the result to Nigeria.”
