Nigerian youths, particularly the ones agitating for an end
to police brutality, corruption and impunity, have highlighted a seven-point
demand that must be met by the Presidency.
The list surpasses the former #5for5 demands, that was
earlier submitted.
Over 13,000 youths have signed a petition on a website
(www.change.org) that advocates and empowers citizens from around the world to
demand civic rights.
In the new #7for7 list, the protesters demand institutional reforms, cost of governance, constitutional reforms, education reforms, health reforms, youth affairs and public office reforms.
Read the full statement below
- INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS (SECURITY)
That the 5-point demand to release arrested protesters,
compensate families of victims, investigate and prosecute all reports of
misconduct, proscribe SARS and review the welfare of police be implemented
immediately.
However, we believe the systemic rot in the police is
widespread across Government institutions. Therefore, we urgently demand
immediate Institutional reform across all federal government institutions,
agencies and parastatals, especially focused on national security.
The focus will be on improved welfare and terms of service
for the police, military and all law enforcement agencies, provide body-worn
cameras for operation, refurbished housing, health, academic and pre- and
post-retirement life insurance policy for the rank-and-file personnel.
Also reforms on adherence to the laws guiding discipline and
prosecution of erring servicemen this should be aimed at extinguishing all
notions of impunity.
2) COST OF
GOVERNANCE
We have watched over the years the waste associated with governing Nigeria. We have noted the duplication and unprofessionalism in the civil service and across all strata.
We demand an urgent budgetary framework with 50% capital
expenditure and 50% recurrent expenditure in all appropriation bill.
We demand a drastic reduction in the cost of governance. We
also demand that the national assembly, be first by streamlined into a
unicameral legislative and be further stripped down to become a part-time job.
The huge salaries and benefits accorded them by the Revenue
Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) should be reduced to the
barest minimum.
3)
CONSTITUTION REFORMS
There had been several constitutional reviews where youths were obviously absent. Whether by omission or commission or both, the time has come for an informed and progressive participation by the youths.
The Nigerian constitution as it exists presently does not
serve all Nigerians. A more robust and engaged constitution designed and
approved by all Nigerians will serve the nation.
We demand an urgent referendum within 90 days to begin the
line-by-line review, reconstruction and upgrade of the extant constitution to
be more functional for a 21st Century nation. The selection process for this
referendum will have 50% young people under 60 nominated by their peers in a
transparent, judicious and fair process.
We demand that credence be given to terms of citizenship
over indigeneship and state of residence over state of origin.
4) EDUCATION REFORMS
· One in every
five of the world’s out-of-school children is a Nigerian child. About 13.2
million Nigerian children aged 5-14 years are not in school. The impact of
these numbers will be felt for generations.
· We demand that
a state of emergency is declared in the education sector and demand increase in
the budgetary allocation to the educational sector by 50% and to double again
within the next 24 months. This funds will be used to drive the education
sector to provide affordable quality education to all citizens.
· A certain
percentage of this allocation should be devoted to granting scholarship to
outstanding Nigerians without recourse to the tribe, religious or sex.
· We demand a
systemic overhaul in our curriculum and method of teaching to upgrade to a
digital experience.
· We demand that
teachers should be incentivized to attract the best brains and should be
standardized and professionalized.
· We demand that
the parent of any child not in primary school will be prosecuted to the full
extent of the law.
· We demand
that there be an Annual independent external Audit of Fund allocation and
project execution: from Government approval to disbursement across the
ministry, which would further be used to publish at least an abridged Financial
statement available digitally to ensure transparency.
5) HEALTH
REFORMS
We demand that a state of emergency is declared in the
health sector and demand increase in the budgetary allocation to the health
sector by 50%
· We demand
mandatory health insurance for the vulnerable population in our society as NHIS
is not doing enough to serve all Nigerians. We demand that adequate provision
be put in place to protect the rights and privileges of physically challenged
citizens in Nigeria.
· We demand
urgent attention to mental health and a fund to set aside to create more
professionals.
· We demand
proper implementation of the National Health Act of 2014, including the Basic
Health Care Provision Fund).
· We demand that there be an Annual
independent external Audit of Fund allocation and project execution: from
Government approval to disbursement across the ministry, which would further be
used to publish at least an abridged Financial statement available digitally to
ensure transparency.
6) YOUTH
AFFAIRS REFORM
We have noted the giant strides made by Gen Z and
Millennials across the globe. Many multi-billion corporations where founded by
both generations. In Nigeria, it is extremely difficult for such to occur. The
enabling environment viz-a-viz investors and lenders confidence, stable
interest rate and manageable inflation are deficit in our dear nation.
· We demand that
a state of emergency be declared in the ministry of Youths and Sports, Ministry
of Science and Technology and the Ministry of National Planning. We demand that
this should be adequately funded, sports academy should be revamped.
· We demand the
creation of the Youth development funds dedicated to growing the creative
industries and agriculture.
· We demand that
the Not-Too-Young to run bill should be expanded to include–50% inclusion of
youth under 40 in every cabinet in government.
· We demand that
the youth inclusion be monitored by the FCC as they currently monitor state
inclusion and the NCDMB and other stakeholders partake in this action to
protect our future.
7) PUBIC OFFICE REFORMS
· We demand code
of conduct reforms for all elected public office holders to have themselves and
their children use public schools and public hospitals ONLY. Violation of which
is immediate impeachment and recall.
· We demand the
immediate removal of immunity clause from public office holders to make them
answerable to investigations at all times when and where necessary.
· We demand the
immediate resignation of every public officer found guilty of any forms of
crimes and corruption step aside during investigation also.
· Implementation
of full digitization of the judicial process, prison decongestion reforms, with
reforms drawn from past projects like the Uwais Report, Keyamo’s ministerial
screening address, strict time limits to the determination of industries litigations,
etc.
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