INEC urges school principals to teach voters’ education in schools

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged principals and heads of secondary schools in Bauchi state to put in place speedy action to resuscitate voter education clubs in their respective institutions to prepare the youth for the growth of democracy.

The state Resident Commissioner Mr. Samuel Usman, made the disclosure through the Administrative Secretary Mr. Emmanuel Umenger while declaring open a one day workshop for Principals of secondary

schools in the state.

The REC stressed that Nigeria had experienced serious difficulties in nurturing and sustaining its nascent democracy apart from public enlightenment campaigns, seminars, workshops hence the need for active

participation in voters education.

According to the REC, democracy and elections will be better understood by players, especially when students get assimilated and involve democratically while at school.

The workshop according to the REC is conducted to make students not only understand the rudiments of voting process, but appreciate and accept the procedures of democracy and elections from the grass roots.

“There is no way Nigerians will adhere strictly to electoral process where there is no voter education for students which is the only way for preparing them for the task now that 2015 elections gathers momentum” said Usman.

The INEC boss maintains that the commission target is to encourage students to one day elect their school officials democratically with a charge on the participants to create an enabling environment for the realisation of the objective.

Highlight of the workshop were presentation of papers as a demonstration to share and exchange ideas to enable participants understand the rudiments of voter’s education towards credible elections.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Malam Umar Abubakar, expressed delight for the workshop and urges the participants to avail themselves with the opportunity and resuscitate voter’s education clubs in their various schools.

He explained that the involvement of students through voters’ education demonstrates a gradual shift in the development of democracy when he described students as catalysts of nation building.