By joshua 
Commemorating with Nigerians on the celebration of this year’s June 12 Democracy Day, I empathically congratulate the Nigerian citizens for a steady democratic power transition in a span of over two decades without the interruption of military rule.
Democracy Day which was originally celebrated on May 29 to mark the transition of power from the military to a democratic elected leader in 1999, metamorphosed into today’s June 12 Democracy Day on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari on June 6 2018 to honor the late Moshood Abiola (GCFR) who was a victim of what I referred to as “military bulling”
Renaming June 12 as the country’s Democracy Day even though the holiday already existed in some southern states, is one of the best acts of President Buhari, as it represents a show of solidarity with power truly belonging to the people. So as we celebrate this historic day, we should as citizens rejig our level of patriotism and particularly as youths be more committed to Nation building.
Democracy is a system of government which supports nearly absolute freedoms. These freedoms should not be a yardstick for citizens to engage themselves in unpatriotic agendas capable of disrupting the country’s peaceful coexistence or stands as threat to the peace and unity enjoys by the people.
I am urging Nigerians, and particularly the youths to be more patriotic and flag friendly; as patriotism has proven to be a core sustainer of democracy and in a society where freedom thrives, patriotism keeps people in check and loyal to the flag. In order to strengthen our democracy, youths should be more involved in politics, remembering that the late Moshood Abiola joined his first political party, the National Council of Nigeria and Cameron (NCNC) in 1979 at age nineteen.
It is time to build and concrete our foundation with spirit of patriotism and absolute loyalty to the interest of our dear country. It is time we learn to say no to been used as means of social-divide by certain elements of disunity. It is time we raise the bar of unity higher, and give wings to our dreams of “the Nigeria we want” to fly and become a reality.
Closing with the words of John Adams “A government of laws, and not of men” I admonish our leaders to be doers of what they preach, and practice a government govern by laws, and not of men.
Congratulations to our leaders past and present, for giving us twenty-two years of democracy and freedom, and congratulations to Nigerians for another worthy celebration of this historic day. Happy Democracy Day 2021
Amb. Oladele John Nihi (OJN)
Commissioner, Youth Political Participation, Pan-African Youth Union (PYU).
June 12, 2021.