By Chinyere Omeire
Lagos – Some lawyers on Tuesday called for more participation of women in the key areas of governance to further strengthen the nation’s democracy.
The lawyers in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos also called for total eradication of poverty, illiteracy and improved security for citizens to derive the dividends of democracy.
They also urged government at all levels to rededicate themselves to the true service of the nation.
Mr Chibuikem Opara, a Lagos-based lawyer, said women should be made to participate more in the key areas of governance so that they do not feel marginalised.
He said that government should eradicate illiteracy in the country.
“There should be more budgetary allocation to the education sector to eradicate illiteracy in the country,” Opara said.
He, however, said that government should ensure that the dividends of democracy was felt across every section of the country to ensure that people do not look backwards and prefer military regimes.
Mr Qudus Mumuney, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, told NAN that there was no doubt democracy had been stabilised with successive transmission from one democratic rule to the other.
“I believe that the process has come to stay. What is very important, as we progress is for us as a people to be sincere to the promises we make to ourselves and to our nation.
“My thoughts on how our democracy may proceed from today is for government at all levels to rededicate themselves to the true service of the nation.
“Public servants must appreciate that their calling is that of service. It is only those who truly serve that would have their names written in gold on the sand of times.’’
Mumuney urged the present administration to explore all avenues to totally curb the menace called insurgency.
He also urged government to put more efforts to eradicate poverty among the citizenry.
“For an average man, a nation’s economy is on solid ground if he is assured of three square meals.
“As this government is doing everything to stablise the nation’s economy, it has a lot to do to quench the cry of an average man on the street due to lack of food, money and other means of livelihood,” Mumuney said.
Mr Ogedi Ogu, a Lagos-based lawyer, said: “We can no longer define this democracy as nascent in that one cannot still remain a toddler at 19.
“This democracy should by now be nearing perfection or a role model to other intending democracies.
“I think the time calls for a true sober reflection. Though there has been improvement in some areas of the economy, this democracy should by now be a role model to some African countries.” (NAN)
