This International Day of Democracy (IDD 2023) special is the seventh episode (Year 2023) of the OrderPaper Parliamentary Engagement Nigeria (OPEN) Space; a virtual discourse hosted monthly by Nigeria’s foremost independent parliamentary monitoring organisation and policy think tank that bridges the gap between people and parliament on Twitter (X).
With the practice of democracy facing a tough season on the continent of Africa, OrderPaper Nigeria is set to mark the 15th celebration of the International Day of Democracy with a discourse.
The media cum civil society organisation disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement issued by its Head of Innovation and Editorial, Temidayo Taiwo-Sidiq, where he announced Senator Shehu Sani; a member of the Eighth National Assembly, Professor Remi Sonaiya, a renowned academic and Presidential Candidate in the 2015 general election and its Founder/Executive Director, Oke Epia as panellists.
Holding as part of its monthly open parliament series; OrderPaper Parliamentary Engagement Nigeria (OPEN) Space at 6 pm WAT on Friday, 15th September 2023, the organisers stated that the discourse is aimed at highlighting reasons citizens must pay close attention to the election of Members of Parliaments (MPs) as they play a crucial role in representing the people’s interests, making laws and holding the government accountable.
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“This year’s theme for the International Day of Democracy speaks to “Empowering the next generation,” focusing on young people and their essential role in advancing democracy as well as ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world.
Importantly, the International Day of Democracy presents an opportunity for the state of democracy in the world to be reviewed. And for the United Nations, it describes Democracy as both a process and a goal.
For us at OrderPaper, following the events of the recent Nigerian general elections, which saw a lot of young people take an interest in the electoral process, there is a great need to emphasise the importance of parliamentary elections and highlight reasons citizens must pay close attention to the election of Members of Parliaments (MPs). Given their crucial role in representing the people’s interests, making laws and holding the government accountable which all hold a significant ace in the empowerment of the next generation,” the statement read in part.
“Additionally, in line with the vision of the UN for this year’s celebration to create an environment in which young people feel their voice counts is crucial, the discourse would explore the significance of informed and active citizen participation in the democratic process. It would also highlight key recommendations from our election observatory, such as those on the possibilities of elections being held on separate days different from those for the President and Governors.
An engaged, well-educated electorate is at the heart of strong democratic societies. Given the opportunity of another International Day of Democracy, therefore, it is a most befitting time to discuss the recruitment process of Members of Parliament (MPs), a critical indicator of democratic rule wherever it is practised, Even more so for Nigeria, just emerging from its sixth round of legislative elections since its return to democracy twenty-four (24) years ago.” it added.
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This International Day of Democracy (IDD 2023) special is the seventh episode (Year 2023) of the OrderPaper Parliamentary Engagement Nigeria (OPEN) Space; a virtual discourse hosted monthly by Nigeria’s foremost independent parliamentary monitoring organisation and policy think tank that bridges the gap between people and parliament on Twitter (X).
The 90-minute online parliament series, now in its fourteenth episode, is organised as part of OrderPaper’s mandate to rally the voices that matter (Members of Parliaments, public servants, civil society, the media, academia and active citizens) in discussing key issues around the institution of parliament globally, towards ensuring effective service delivery and the strengthening of democracy.
The initiative is thus in furtherance of OrderPaper’s mission to provide simple and authoritative parliamentary data that empowers citizens to take action and enable informed decision-making by public and private entities. All of which is anchored on the organisation’s vision to become the most authoritative organisation of choice and reference for parliamentary reporting, advocacy and public policy advisory in Africa
For more information on this event, please contact info@orderpaper.ng, or visit www.orderpaper.ng or call +234 704 700 3031.
