Theme: Understanding The Origin and Concept of Democracy:

DESPLAY, 2006/7 Semester 1 held at the Conference Hall of the National Library Jos Plateau State between the 29th November to the 1st of December 2006 with a total number of 31 participants from different parts of the country and a participant from Ghana in attendance.

DAY 1
The day began with registration of participants at about 8:30am at the venue. Participants were welcomed to the city of Jos (a large number of them were visiting for the first time) using icebreakers / energizers to help participants know each other. Next was an over view of the DESPLAY Project and the formation of the various service groups to ensure that participants are involved in the 3 day training! Groups formed include, Media Team, Social Life Team, Health Team, and Call-up Team.

The first session was by Mr. Kingsley N.T Bangwell CEO Youngstars Foundation Jos. During this session, participants came to grasp the relation between personal dreams and national dreams, the importance of self development for nation building and over all, the importance of You, the importance of individuals in fostering change and becoming the dreams of our founding fathers. Participants were challenged and excited to see themselves as the dream of our nation. This session set the mood for the rest of the training.

The last 2 sessions were by Prof. Victor Adetula, Head of Political Science Department, and University of Jos. During which participants understood the arguments on the origin of democracy and governance from pre-colonial Nigeria to contemporary Nigeria. Participants also where engaged in the relation of rule of law and separation of powers in building democracy. Constitutionalism, democratic politics, minority and majority concepts where other areas covered.
The day ended with the best traditionally dressed male and female participants receiving awards!



DAY 2
Day 2 began with a review of previous day¡¦s activities after which participants were divided into three groups to discuss the current trends in Nigeria¡¦s democracy and how young people could get involved. Some of the findings at the end of the groups¡¦ discussion include;

ľ There is no adequate evaluation mechanism in place in the present dispensation hence the increase in corruption and mismanagement in the country.
ľ The level of participation in democratic process by citizens / young people should be improved upon.
ƒæ There was a great need to introduce civic education at a very early age in the nation¡¦s educational system.
ľ The increasing cases of political violence and thuggry in the nation should be condemned.
ľ Accountability and transparency should be watchwords for all administrations.

There after each group nominated 3 persons to form a Think Tank that shall further articulate these issues and proffer workable solution for participants to work on between now and the next semester in March 2007.

Thereafter, participants visited Plateau Radio Television Corporation (PRTVC) where the Chairman of the National Union of Journalist interacted with participants on the role of media in strengthening democratization. It was very engaging session. From the PRTV, participants visited and had lunch at the Just Relax Garden, a reputable tourist site in Jos, Plateau state.

Mr. Victor Kuchili, CEO CCN Group, a productivity expert dealt extensively on the topic ¡§When Government Works¡¨ using case studies and statistics that left participants very reflective of the urgent need for better governance in our country. The last session was a reading exercise on the theme ¡§Ethical Leadership¡¨, using an article by Dr. Stephen Chiwenke, an International Expert on Leadership, Ethics and Governance.
The day ended with awards to the best traditional dressed male and female for the day!

DAY 3
After review of day 2 and media update, the Think Tank presented report of their work which was highly received and commended by the entire house for action.

For instance, the Think Tank identified 2 keys issues mitigating democratisation in Nigeria as
DISTORTED ELECTORAL PROCESSES
- SELECTION AS AGAINST ELECTION
- INADEQUATE POPULAR PARTICIPATION

CORRUPTION IN VARIOUS SECTORS
- POOR EVALUATION & MANAGEMENT
- ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY

Solutions proffered include
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
- Publication
It was suggested that 30,000 information leaflets on political participation be produced and distributed by DESPLAY participants through various target groups before the next semester.

MANAGEMENT & EVALUATION
- Transparency & Accountability
It was recommended that interns be posted to agencies that fight corruption so that youths are better equipped to participate in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. ICPC, EFCC, Code of Conduct Bureau, NTA, among others were mentioned.

MENTORING & COACHING
- It was recommended that a session on Mentoring be included in the DESPLAY Curriculum and that PiO participants should be given the first chance of application in subsequent DESPLAY projects as incentive for being part of DESPLAY.

The next session was an interactive session on how to translate new knowledge acquired into positive energy with great emphasis on P.I.O (Passing it On) a core component of DESPLAY.

This session was followed by a presentation on Democracy in Africa - Ghana as a Case Study¡¨. It was facilitated by Naa Djane, the participant from Ghana, it was very engaging session as participants asked her questions different questions which she answered to her best ability. Semester 1 came to a close early in the day to enable participants purchase tickets and also site see / do some shopping. Later in the evening, participants organized a social night during which there was music, dance, talk, jokes, comedy and general interaction! DESPLAY 2006/7 Semester 1 ended on a very high note!