By Blessed Adjekpagbon
A nongovernmental organisation known as Citizens Intervention
and Accountability Network (CIAN), has called on Nigerians to wake up from
their slumber and take control of their political, economic and social lifestyles
henceforth, without sentiments of ethnic discrimination, political party
affiliation, and religious bigotry in choosing the right president to lead them
in the near future.
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| From left to right: Mr. Adetayo Adedayo (Deputy Director Contact/ Mobilization); Mr. Samson Abraham (Director Project and Programs); Ms. Adebusola Okunade (Secretary); Mr. Olawunmi Olaniyan (Chairman of the committee); Comrade Adedeji Owoeye (Director Contact/Mobilization); Rev. Tonia Omonze (Deputy Director information/Strategy) and Dr. Candyfidel Okoye (Director information/Strategy). |
The clarion call was made during a press conference organised
by the CIAN at Julius Berger’s Hall, University of Lagos campus, where Mofe
Jeje’s book cover titled “Nigeria’s Next President,” was unveiled to media
practitioners, July 30, 2021. The book which is said to contain different
remedies to handle various political and economic challenges in Nigeria, is proposed
for launch soon.
Speaking with eloquent enthusiasm during the event, Mr.
Olawunmi Olaniyan; Chair, Nigeria’s Next President Organising Committee, said in
his press statement that; “Nigeria’s Next President, as a civic empowerment
project, is produced to ignite a paradigm shift in the failed social contract
between the ruling elite and the Nigerian peoples, in addition to also foster
eternal vigilance, inspire civic responsibility and stair civic activism that
will challenge conventions and demand accountability from elected officials.
“For these empowerment resource-materials to reach a wide audience and
have a greater impact on the general public, the majority of whom are
unlettered in the English language; CIAN has commenced the first phase of this
national project with its translation into Efik, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and
Pidgin English, while planning more local languages translations in subsequent
phases.”
Another member of the committee, Dr. Candyfield Onwuraokoye,
Director of Information and Strategy, in his own paper informs that, “In
championing solutions, CIAN also planned, in the short-term to harness the
power of consultations, and build consensus across the geo-political divide,
intended to birth a new Nigeria that will resuscitate, and meet the hope and aspirations
of the Nigerian peoples. We remain keen on devising ways to move forward on
issues of common concern, and interests-across the length and breadth of
Nigeria.’
He further clarifies that “As we have no permanent allies, or
permanent enemies, CIAN is open to work with like-minded individuals or groups,
regardless of their political leanings, or religious persuasions to break a new
ground in finding solutions to our leadership production process to which the
Nigerian state is extremely vulnerable.”
Pointing out the fact that having a good president is not
just the only issue to be considered about who will become Nigeria’s next
president, Reverend Tonia Omonze, CIAN’s Deputy Director of Strategy offers; “If
we must choose the ‘Next Nigerian President’, we should not look at what
textbooks or motivational speakers have told us a true leader should be; but,
we should simply look for one thing in the man or woman, and that is; does he
or she have a heart?
“One with a heart will always defend, protect, seek the
progress of, create opportunities for greatness and most of all serve the
people. And do you all know one most important factor that would make him or
her succeed? It is that, we all must also have a heart along with the Next
Nigerian President.”
However, the committee’s chair also hinted that CIAN is planning
a nationwide essay writing competition targeted at students. The topic will be “Nigeria’s
Next President.”
END
