PROPER CHILD PROJECT

 Child marriage is a highly pervasive issue that affects millions of little girls across the world today, with devastating health implications and risks. It is defined as marriage before age of 18, a human rights violation that truncates girls' childhood, and stops their education, and impacts their health and the health of their infants.  What are the causes of child marriage? Child marriage is driven by various factors, including poverty, the need to reinforce social ties, and the belief that marriage at an early age protects girls from rape, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In some cultures, parents believe that marrying their daughters young ensures their financial security and improves their social status. Moreso, lack of education and employment opportunities for girls can contribute to child marriage, as parents may see marriage as means to secure their daughters' future.  What are the health implications and risks of child marriage? ...

   As a matter of fact, raising children (both boys and girls) is a difficult feat. However, infallible research has shown that raising female teenagers is a more challenging experience for parents compared to raising their male counterparts. This is due to a complex interplay of societal expectations, emotional dynamics, and cultural pressures. One notable reason for this difficulty is the intense scrutiny and pressure that girls face in today's society. From cradle, girls are often socialized to conform with certain beauty standards, behavioral norms, relationship expectations, which can be overwhelming and  limiting. Many parents usually begin very early to tell their little daughters that they are beautiful to behold, even when they are not. Except when girls meet together at schools and churches, they may not know that of a truth, they are ugly. Parents teach their little girls to paint their faces and fingers at young age.  Parents also teach their teenage girl...

 Enhancing citizens' participatory governance through e-governance platforms has revolutionized the way governments interact with citizens, enabling greater participation collaboration, and transparency in decision-making processes. By leveraging digital technologies, governments can now involve citizens in policy-making, gather feedback, and build trust.  E-governance platforms provide numerous benefits, including increased citizen engagement, improved transparency, and enhanced accountability. Digital platforms enable governments to conduct online consultants, seek feedback, and involve citizens in decision-making processes. This inclusive approach ensures that citizens voices are heard, promotes transparency in budgetary decisions, and strengthens trust between governments and citizens. For example, participatory budgeting, a process that involves citizens in allocating public funds, can be beneficial facilitated through online platforms, allowing citizens to review budget ...

 Encouraging transparency and accountability in democracy is crucial for ensuring that power holders are answerable to the citizens they represent and serve. Transparency involves making government information and actions known and accessible to the public, which helps to prevent corruption, and promotes trust in government institutions. Accountability ensures that officials are responsible for any wrong-doing.  The benefits of transparency and accountability in democracy are numerous. By making government operations visible to the public, transparency reduces the likelihood of corrupt practices. For example, open budgeting practices and freedom of information laws can help prevent embezzlement and misuse of public funds. When citizens have access to information about government decisions and actions, they are more likely to trust government institutions. This trust is essential for maintaining social cohesion and ensuring that citizens feel involved in the democratic processe...

 Conflict resolution is a vital skill that enables individuals and communities to manage and resolve disputes in a peaceful and constructive manner, promoting understanding, empathy, and reconciliation, and creating a more harmonious and equitable society. Conflict resolution entails developing effective communication skills, active listening skills, and empathy, which enable individuals and communities to understand different perspectives and find common ground. By engaging in open and respectful dialogue, parties can identify areas of agreement and disagreement, and work together to find mutually beneficial solutions. For example, mediation and negotiation techniques have been successfully used in various contexts, including workplace disputes, community conflicts, and international diplomacy, to resolve conflicts and promote peaceful resolution. Conflict resolution requires a deep understanding of the underlying causes and dynamics of the conflict, including cultural, social, an...

 Corruption, stealing, and diversion of national resources have become age-long pervasive issues globally, affecting both developed and developing countries. In Nigeria, for example, corruption has reached an alarming rate, with concerned stakeholders lamenting that it has surpassed what was experienced during the military era. This phenomenon has severe consequences, including undermining trust in government institutions, distorting public policy, and diverting resources away from essential public services.  The massive economic distortion caused by corruption is unheard of. Highly-placed government officials divert public investment into capital projects where bribes and kickbacks are more plentiful, reducing the quality of government services. Corruption, stealing, and diversion of public resources are common in the following countries: 1. Nigeria: Government officials in Bornu State were accused of stealing food meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled from B...

Democracy's foundation is threatened by the trifecta of poverty, inequality, and conflict. Countries like South Africa have witnessed incessant democratic distrust and depletion due to high inequality levels among the citizens. Addressing these interconnected issues require a multifaceted approach that prioritizes economic opportunities, social welfare, and inclusive governance.  Poverty and inequality are closely linked together, with rising economic disparities often translating into unequal political Influence and representation. This can lead to decline in citizens' trust in democratic institutions, as seen in various European countries where increased inequality has resulted in decreased political trust and satisfaction with democracy. For example, research has shown that countries with high levels of income inequality tend to experience lower levels of political trust, which can ultimately erode democratic fundamentals. One key mechanism driving this relationships is the ...

 Democratic fundamentals are the building blocks of a healthy democratic system, encompassing essential principles, institutions, and practices that uphold the integrity and functionality of a democracy. These fundamentals include free and fair elections, protection of human rights, rule of law, independent judiciary, active citizens participation, accountability and transparency of government officials.  The following are the core democratic fundamentals and their functions: 1. Free and Fair Elections: Regular elections are crucial for democratic governance, allowing citizens to choose their leaders and hold them accountable for failure to deliver anticipated democratic dividends. Free and fair elections ensure that the will of the electorates is reflected in the government. 2. Protection of Human Rights: Democracies must safeguard fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression (speech), assembly, association, worship (religion). This protection fosters an environm...

 From all indications, it is obvious that democracy erodes from the top to bottom, a phenomenon where the very foundations of democratic systems are undermined by those in position of power who, by right, are supposed to protect it. This erosion is often driven by leaders who use their authority to manipulate institutions, laws, and information to consolidate power and suppress political dissents. For example, in Hungary, Victor Orban's Government was accused of dismantling democratic checks and balances, manipulating the media, and restricting civil liberties, exemplifying how leaders can erode democratic norms from the top.  The role of elites in democratic erosion cannot be over-emphasized. Elected officials and appointed ones, executives, legislators, and judiciary -- may use their power and influence to alter the laws , institutions, and norms in ways that favour them and undermine democracy. This can include manipulating laws and institutions to extend their term limits,...

 Community service is a vital component of a compassionate and responsible society, promoting volunteerism and social responsibility among citizens, and enabling them to make a positive impact on their communities. For example, the Habitat For Humanity is an international organization which relies on volunteers to build affordable housing schemes for low-income families.  Community service involves individuals and organizations working together to address social, economic, and environmental challenges, and improve the quality of life for community members. By volunteering their time, skills, and resources, citizens can contribute to the well-being of their communities, and promote a sense of social responsibility and civic engagement. For example, volunteer programmes like the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps have established thousands of young people to serve in communities around the world, promoting development, education, and healthcare. Community service can take many forms, in...

 Civic engagement is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy, enabling citizens to participate in decision-making processes. It holds elected officials accountable, and shapes the future of communities, as it obtains in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, where high levels of civic engagements have contributed to transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in governance.  Civic engagement involves citizens taking an active role in the decision-making processes, whether through voting, attending public meetings, joining advocacy groups, or participating in online forums. By engaging with government officials, citizens can provide valuable insights, share their perspectives, and influence policy decisions that affect their lives and communities. For example, participatory budgeting processes have been successfully implemented in cities like Alegre in Brazil, New York City in USA, enabling citizens to contribute to budget-making and ensure that public resources are allocated effecti...

 Continuation of previous post ... The Nigerian economy is so poor. Our currency is among the worst and weakest in Africa, and the entire world. African countries make mockery of Nigeria, especially when she flaunts herself as the giant of Africa-- a giant without strength and stream! Nigeria is a blind and clueless giant that is heading towards a precipice! Burkina Faso, under the visionary leadership of President (Captain) Ibrahim Traore, is developing infrastructurally at a staggering rate. Captain Ibrahim Traore is championing a cause for Pan-Africanism. Rwanda is experiencing good governance also. Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, and other African countries are ahead of Nigeria by a polar distance. Why? It is because of our flawed democracy and hybrid regime, which led to poor governance. Our petrol is too costly for us to buy. It is five times costlier than before. Electricity bill has increased five times more than what it was before the advent of Tinubu's government. The cost of...

Continuation of previous post ...  The same top brass military generals who hijacked and shared the Nigerian oil blocks amongst themselves were also the same that wrote or amended the Constitution to their taste. They created the States, Local Government Areas, and the six geopolitical zones in a way that gave North endless advantages over other federating ethnic nationalities of Nigeria, particularly the oppressed and endangered South East (Igbo land). They shared our national resources like a war booty. They ate and wined as kings and emperors and the left-over or crumbs that fell down from their dining tables were captured by the South- West geopolitical zone ( Yorubas, with 6 States, 18 senatorial districts, and 18 senators representing them) and South-South geopolitical zone (Ibibios, Efiks, Ijaws, Urhobos, Isokos, Edos, Itsekiris, and other ethnic nationalities, with 6 States, 18 senatorial districts, and 18 senators representing them). While the whole North with three geopol...

 Without any iota of doubt, Nigeria is a permanent failed State. It was aptly described as a "hybrid regime" by the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index. This classification is evident by virtue of Nigeria's democracy flaws and shortcomings. Nigeria's democracy score index is 4. 16, categorizing it as hybrid regime as well as flawed democracy. This score is based on 5 parameters:  • Electoral Process and Pluralism (5.17), • Functioning of Government (3. 57), • Political Participation (3. 89), • Political Culture (3. 75), and • Civil Liberties (4. 41).  These scores are indeed out of 10, with 10 being the highest possible score. The Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index (EIU) uses these scores to categorize countries into four types of regimes, such as: (a) Full Democracy (scores above 8),  (b) Flawed Democracy (scores between 6-8),  (c) Hybrid Regimes (scores between 4-6), and  (d) Authoritarian (scores below 4).    The above...

 Democracy has proven to be a cornerstone of success and national pride for Norway, New Zealand, and Sweden. It has tremendously enabled these countries to excel in various sectors of their economies, governance, transparency, and citizens' welfare. Norway, New Zealand, and Sweden have consistently ranked higher than other countries in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index, showcasing their commitment to democratic values.   * The Democracy Index Scores for Norway, New Zealand, and Sweden: • Norway:  With a democracy index score of 9.81, Norway is considered one of the most stable democracies globally. Its government prioritizes citizen participation, civil liberties, and rule of law. Norway is the most successful democratic government in the world today. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index, Norway's has the following democracy records: Electoral Process (10. 00), Functioning of Government (9.64), Political Participation (10. 00...