As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary, Insight Initiative for Community and Social Development has called on Nigerians to continue to hold their leaders accountable.

The organisation also calls for greater youth inclusion in governance and public policy reforms to achieve even development.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Executive Director, Insight Initiative for Community and Social Development, Jare Tiamiyu said it is time for young people to demand a better deal from the nation’s leaders, through advocacies aimed at deepening democracy and keeping the people abreast of how they are governed.

Tiamiyu added that the organisation’s projects and programmes like the OsunOpenLG Project, Youth involvement in electoral reforms, among others, have, in the last one year, reawakened the consciousness of the electorate called for collaboration to make the country further flourish.

The statement reads, “Insight Initiative for Community and Social Development felicitate Nigerians home and abroad on our country’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

“Our nation stands at the threshold of sustainable development amidst the raging hunger, huge unemployment, bad governance, and serious leadership inefficiency. We must at this juncture seek initiatives and aim to address these anomalies by being at the forefront of change.

“In the last few years, we have provided platforms for youth awareness and participation in initiatives aimed at reducing the information gap on how the nation’s leaders have utilised our resources for development. We have through the OsunOpenLG Project and others rededicate ourselves to championing the cause for change and good governance.

“We cannot do it alone. That is why the support of all stakeholders including youth based organisations, community leaders, traditional rulers, religious bodies among others is needed to further advance this pursuit. The good of it is that we can achieve a better country for ourselves and the generations unborn if we join hands to demand a better deal from our leaders.

“May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Happy 64th Independence Anniversary,” the statement concluded.

Sodiq Yusuf
Senior Communications Officer
Insight Initiative for Community and Social Development
October 1, 2024.