By David Adeoye
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State on Thursday educated some students on electoral processes, describing them as the future of democracy and the hope of the nation.
The commission’s Administrative Secretary, Mrs Rosemary Adeniyi, said this while receiving students of Faruku Community Grammar School, Soka, Ibadan, at INEC state headquarters in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students were on an educational excursion to have in-depth lessons on the commission’s constitutional mandates and operational structure.
Adeniyi described the visit as an invaluable opportunity for the young ones and an investment to acknowledge civic responsibility and national development.
“As students, you must understand that the strength of our democracy depends on informed citizens.
“I am delighted to host the bright young minds that are here gathered, because you represent the future of our democracy and the hope of our nation, as elections are regarded as the heartbeat of any democratic society.
“It provides citizens with the power to choose their leaders and to shape the direction of their communities, their states, and their country.
“By coming here today, you are taking an important step toward understanding how that process works, from voter registration to voting, to the coalition, and announcement of results.”
The administrative secretary added that the lessons gained from the visit would empower the students, not only as future voters but also as potential leaders, administrators, and defenders of democratic values.
She charged teachers of the visiting school to establish a Voter Education and Publicity Club in the school to enhance a deep understanding of elections.
According to her, the establishment of such a club will usher in effective and efficient participation in politics as the students become adults.
“On behalf of the commission, I appreciate your teachers for organising this visit and for exposing you to the practical side of governance and civic education.
“We remain committed to transparency, innovation and continuous voter education, especially for young people like you,” she said.
The school’s Vice-Principal, Mr Omotayo Kolawole, said the excursion was to give the students practical knowledge of what they had learnt about elections and democratic processes.
“This visit is to allow our students to know more about electoral processes, registration of voters and other activities of INEC,” Kolawole said.
NAN reports that heads of the different departments of the commission engaged the students, respectively presenting comprehensive insights into the activities of their departments. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)