To verify and influence a greater understanding of the Nigerian polity, the #OYANow initiative invites all to a grand conference on June 12 2014 in Ibadan. Coincidentally, the date June 12 is a memorial day for late business mogul Bashorun M.K.O Abiola.
The full interview on Nigeria's most interactive Twitter-Interview platform #Bazeline with Mr @Asccheim - the Project Coordinator of #OYANow [Oyo state Youths Act Now] initiative.
The interview was conducted on June 10 2014 @ 8:30PM. Do enjoy the read
@xdochconcepts
: Our guest tonight on is a Political Analyst and admirer of true democratic values... He is no other than the Project Coordinator of Oyo state Youths Act Now [ #OYANow] movement, Mr @Asccheim.
@Asccheim: Good Evening.
@xdochconcepts
: So we start. First off, let me say congratulations on the evolution of #OYANow at this moment - KUDOS.
What's your overall assessment of the national polity in-terms of infrastructure development?
@Asccheim: We're miles away from where we ought to be as a result of long years of neglect and poor planning. Let's look at education. One would pause and ask why most of our school (primary & secondary) buildings are dilapidated.
My simple explanation for that is no provision for maintenance when it was constructed (poor planning) and not upholding the importance of that building to the overall development our country & as a people (neglect).
So for our neglect, poor planning and poor maintenance culture, we're taking ourselves away from development.
@xdochconcepts
: Ok. You mentioned a critical area which is "EDUCATION". This brings us to the very next question - Quality of graduates from Nigerian tertiary schools falls annually, what do you think is responsible?
@Asccheim: This is due to the fact that (1) policy makers/schools have failed to prepare d graduates for life outside the 4 walls of d school; (2) Absence of a National dream (where we aim to be as a country); and (3) Why do our schools offer some or even majority of applicants a course they never applied for?
@xdochconcepts:
In your own words, how best would you describe our dear nation NIGERIA?
@Asccheim: A country that came into existence as a result of conspiracy of some colonialists backed up by injustice.
@xdochconcepts
: Now to the crux of the matter, coming from the city of Ibadan, what does the movement #OYANow represent?
@Asccheim: Let me start with the full meaning of the acronym, #OyaNow [Oyo State Youths Act Now]. To simply put, #OyaNow is an/a initiative/movement to awaken Oyo state citizens to their role.
@xdochconcepts
: And what are the CORE objectives of this initiative widely known as #OYANow?
@Asccheim: (1) To enlighten the youths and citizens on election, governance and government-monitoring; (2) Mobilizing and re-orientating the citizens towards 2015 general elections; (3) It's a platform to harness & exchange knowledge,ideas & skills of our generation towards creating a benchmark for political office aspirants and governance;
(4) Ensure dialogue within the rank of the youths which will lead to effective policy that will ensure the overall development of our dear state; (5) Election Monitoring.
@xdochconcepts
: Quite laudable initiative I must say. But how do plan to mobilize the masses to achieving these objectives?
@Asccheim: We've been meeting to discuss various issues. We also intend organizing rallies in halls, markets and streets towards informing citizens what #OyaNow is all about.
We are also on the verge of assessing the Oyo state's budget for the year 2014 towards ensuring accountability on the part of the Government.
Our media team will soon commence interview sessions with various gubernatorial aspirants for the citizens to be privy to their blueprints and hold them accountable for that if any of them eventually emerges.
Overall #OyaNow is not just hashtag/online campaign, it's about #MALT (More Action, Less Talk)!
@xdochconcepts
: #OYANow has a massive conference coming-up on Thursday June 12 2014 - what should participants expect to gain from it?
@Asccheim: VALUE ADDITION in terms of knowing more about governance and what their role is in entrenching good governance, ensuring accountability and fighting corruption.
Career talk is also included.
@xdochconcepts
: And finally, your brief courage words for families of kidnapped Chibok girls? #BringBackOurGirls
@Asccheim: We, as citizens, are sorry for making them go through this avoidable trauma but there's light at d end of the tunnel. So they shouldn't
give up, the #ChibokGirls would/must be brought back.
@xdochconcepts
: On behalf of the production team, I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Mr @Asccheim for coming on #Bazeline tonight.
It's been an interactive period with you tonight » we bid you greater things for #OYANow.
@Asccheim: My sincere appreciation goes to the team for this chat. Thanks and God Bless. People can visit www.oyanow.blogspot.com for more info about the initiative or call 08028092118. Thanks.
And it's a wrap! See you next time.
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