Laraba MUREY
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has emphasized that good governance remains the most significant dividend of democracy, with a call on both leaders and citizens to embrace attitudinal change for Nigeria to fully enjoy the benefits of democratic governance.
Speaking on Kapital FM’s current affairs programme, Perspective in Abuja, the association’s Vice President of Zone D, Chizoba Ogbeche, highlighted the role of the media in promoting democracy by holding the government accountable and ensuring citizens receive adequate information about their rights and governance.
Ogbeche who spoke on topic “The Media and Dividends Of Democray In Nigeria”, stressed that democracy was still the best form of government notwithstanding the problems Nigeria was experiencing.
According to her, “Democracy, for me, is still the best form of government. You cannot compare democracy with what happened during the military era. The way we run democracy in Nigeria is the problem. We need attitudinal change on the part of both citizens and the leaders at all levels to enjoy the dividends of democracy.”
She added, “Also, I must state the best dividend of democracy is good governance because if we have good governance, every other thing will work out. In democracy you can speak out without fear, unlike what we experienced during the military dispensation in the country.”
Speaking further, Ogbeche, who rated the Nigerian media high on the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities, noted that both the citizens and the leaders, at all levels, have different roles to play in promoting democratic governance.
“Yes, there are some constraints that can stop some media organisation and lead to self censorship but with the opening of media space with the advance of the new media we are in a better place in terms of disemminating information without hindrances and hopefully it it will lead to better governance in the country.”
The NAWOJ leader, however, called on the federal government to be more proactive in addressing the current economic hardship in the country and rebuild the confidence of the people in government.
While highlighting some dividends of democracy, Mrs Ogbeche noted that there was need for attitudinal change on the part of legislature, especially as regards reducing cost of governance as well as synergy among the three arms of government to enhance dividends of democracy to the citizens.
