The Role of information in national development and political education

摘要

Globalization, which has, for centuries, developed through human migrations, trade and the dissemination of knowledge and culture, is nowadays propelled by the spectacular expansion of information and communication technologies (ICT), which requires greater political-will at the international and national level. More than ever ICTs are central to promoting a sustainable socio-political development which in recent years have the potential to change the face of citizen involvement in the political realm. As support for traditional party politics is seemingly waning in many old, and some newer, democracies, the Internet has the potential to revolutionize political activity through the possibility of direct two-way interaction between citizens and political parties. Today's technology may challenge traditional forms of representation and citizen involvement by offering new forms of communication and public participation. Ever since the emergence of modern nation states, information has been recognized as an important tool for good governance. Consequently, governments all over the world have been concerned with ensuring that the public is informed about their activities and programmes. This concern has always translated into the setting up of various media of information by government and its agencies. The commissioning of the Internet, Information Technology, and Nigerstat Project recently by the Nigerian Government is one of such ventures.