The Independent National Electoral Commission inaugurated a National Inter-agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity to provide effective strategies for voter education.
INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, inaugurating the committee on Friday in Abuja said the committee would provide a platform for proper co-ordination and synergy in enlightening Nigerians on electoral process in an efficient manner.
He said there was a need to boost voter education nationwide, as the commission prepares for the 2015 general elections.
Jega said that voter education was important to considerably reduce, if not completely eliminate, ignorance of electoral matters and process to ensure participation by all qualified citizens.
“Although, democracy has come to stay in Nigeria with 15 uninterrupted years, the majority of Nigerians seem apathetic to elections, going by statistics available from voter turnout at election over this period.
“One of the major reasons for the apathy and resultant low participation in elections can be attributed to low level of awareness on electoral matters by citizens.
“To this end, the electorate is expected to be mobilised for full and informed participation”, Jega said.
The committee’s terms of reference according to Jega is to review existing framework and advice the commission on areas of improvement.
The committee will also proffer advice on effective strategies for voter education.
It will also develop a medium and long term framework for civic and voter education, undertake periodic review of voter education activities, and monitor the implementation of voter education strategies to ensure the realisation of set goals.
He said that the committee will be headed by INEC Information and Publicity Committee at the national level.
“This will be replicated at the states and local government level by INEC Electoral Commissioners and Electoral Officers, respectively”, Jega said.
Also speaking at the occasion, Dr Chris Iyimoga, National Commissioner and acting Chairman, Information and Publicity Committee said members cannot afford to fail the nation on the important assignment.
Iyimoga urged the committee members to put in their best by developing new ideas and evolving more responsive strategies on how voter education could be more effectively and cost effectively undertaken.
Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Mr Mike Omeri, responding on behalf of the committee members pledged that the committee members would ensure that the goals of the committee were achieved.
Omeri, who was represented by Prince Afam Anene, NOA’s Director, Political and Civil Education also pledged that the committee would ensure that all the terms of reference given to them were adequately followed.
A member of the Committee, Mr Ado Lawal, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the committee would ensure that the message gets to the grassroots to ensure that nobody is disenfranchised.
Lawal, who is a Managing Editor in NAN said that the committee would make sure that every eligible voter in the country was given a chance to vote.
“We will do our best through all available means, medium, union and corporate bodies that can help ensure successful voter registration and successful election in 2015”, Lawal said.
The committee comprises members from 15 agencies, including INEC, National Orientation Agency, Federal Ministries of Information, Education, Youth and Sport, Women Affairs and Social Development, and Communication and National Broadcasting Commission.
Others are NAN, Nigeria Communication Commission, Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Journalists. (NAN)
