Using Debate in Promoting Youth Participation in Key Decision Making Process in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Presenter: Chibueze Jerry Nwigwe

Abstract: Nigeria’s transition to democracy is wrought with difficulties characterized by a slow pace of governance reform, low level of civic engagement while ethnic and religious violence is on the ascendance. Political space is dominated by the power seekers who often resort to violence in order to secure political and financial gains. Young people have been marginalized by various regimes in the past and this has contributed to rise in different forms of agitations and crimes involving youth.

Encouraging debating and active discussion seems to be the only panacea to sustainable peace in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria because this would assist to reduce tension by opening up a platform for positive engagement and youth participation in community development.