Recent statistics by the United Nations Funds for Population Activities (UNFPA) revealed that “the rate of population growth remains especially high in the developed and middle-income countries" such as Nigeria. For instance, in Nigeria alone, where I come from, 60% of the population is under the age of 25 (National Bureau of Statistics 2019 Report). This means that young people constitute the largest number of the total population of the country. However, these young populations have not been allowed to serve and on the part of the youth, they seem not to maximize the copious opportunities that are meant for them.
This essay beckons to outline my experience on how Accountability Lab Nigeria is "Reaching16 and beyond" in impacting the society and how the local community and other stakeholders can support young people to re-design a peaceful and a just world in this decade of action.
After the adoption of SDG16 and the remaining 16 on September 25, 2015, at a UN Summit attended by over 150 heads of state; governments, non-governmental organisations, businesses, communities, and other institutions have delved into action to develop ideas that will help achieve the 2030 Agenda. For instance, the Accountability Lab Nigeria which is an international NGO support target 16.3 (Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all), target 16.6 (Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels), target 16.7 (Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels) and target 16 B (Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development).
As a volunteer in the organization, I discovered that the Lab supports active citizens, responsible leaders and accountable institutions. Their goal is a world in which resources are used wisely, decisions benefit everyone fairly, and people lead secure lives. To be true to their words, every year the Lab organizes different programs as follows;
1. SDG16 Innovation Challenge2. Integrity Icon Nigeria 3. Voice 2 Rep Nigeria 4. Accountability Incubator 5. Civic Action Team
A). SDG16 Innovation Challenge: This is a national competition to support young leaders to craft innovative and sustainable solutions to challenges related to SDG16. Last year the focus was on ideas around open government and transparency and especially targeted young men and women aged 15 to 35 interested in developing ideas and building skills around accountability, the rule of law and access to justice for Nigerians.
I was privileged to be part of the Innovation Challenge last year in February 2020, where I competed but could not make it to the first place and only won the second place (first runner-up). Although I did not win the innovation challenge, I was glad that the competition has exposed me to new things and has helped me to create networks with like-minded people. This in no small measure has added to my knowledge and experience about the SDG16.
B). Integrity Icon Nigeria (IIN): Corruption in the Nigeria public service has led to the gross inefficiencies across all sector of our economy and reduce public trust in the system. Integrity Icon as one of the programs of the Accountability Lab aims at amplifying the stories and voices of honest government officials through the media to rewrite the common narrative that everyone in the public service is corrupt and build a new generation of effective servants. IIN finds, celebrates and support honest government officials to change the narrative around corruption and build coalitions for reform. Last year I assisted the Lab to run a campaign by citizens to "name and fame" honest government officials whose work impact society positively. The experience I got as a volunteer under this program has taught me that it is true that we can change the narrative if we apply the right mechanisms.
In the light of the above, it is apparent that Accountability Lab and other organisations are striving to "reach16 and beyond" and to support young people to re-design a peaceful and a just world but much of these efforts and many more are still needed to achieve the SDG16.
In my personal opinion, I believe it is not all the time you can change society through the government. There are other things that youths can do on their own to exert their creative skills to transform their local community and build a sustainable society for all.
In conclusion, everything starts from the grassroots. If truly we are to create a just, peaceful, and inclusive society then people must learn to accommodate peace in their hearts, prioritize accountability in all their endeavours, and clamour for transparent leadership. The youths also must take the little opportunity in their local community to impact positively because the 2030 Agenda is not a one-man agenda but an agenda for all and sundry.
Samson Kefas
Gombe, Nigeria.