OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF POVERTY TO DEMOCRACY THROUGH CONTINUING EDUCATION

The last two decades have witnessed increase in poverty level in Nigeria with aftermath of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and several calls for secession. The military is also under pressure to topple democratically elected government as a result of political abysmal and executive recklessness. In view of this situation, this paper highlights the pivotal roles of continuing education to re-orient leaders and the citizen for true democratic participation, political stability and sustainable democracy. It also underlines its strength in equipping every adult with relevant knowledge and skills for gainful employment, employment creation and self-reliance. Adequately propagating appropriate continuing education could significantly contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable democracy. Therefore, it is recommended that, continuing education should be integrated and deeply entrenched into all approaches and methodologies employed for adult and youth education for it to equip every adult with the needed skills and knowledge for self-employment, self-reliance, good citizen and leadership. Furthermore, as good governance is critical to sustainable democracy, continuing education should cater for every administrator to refresh and update their knowledge and learn from other countries good governance that would maintain and sustain democracy