THE NICD INAUGURAL MEETING IN LAGOS

by Deji Yesufu

Saturday, 11th of November, 2017, had every person who was a “who is who” on the Social Media, particularly Facebook, converge at Hall 2, St. Leo, Catholic Church, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos, at 12 noon. It was the inauguration meeting of the New Initiative for Civil Development (NICD).

When I walked into the meeting at about noon yesterday, the convener of the meeting, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, was already seated in the hall. I walked up to her and sat next to her, introducing myself. She was very familiar with my name on social media and immediately we latched into a hearty discussion on social-political issues in Nigeria.

In a little while, the program began and the convener, the key note speaker, Mr. Kelechi Deca, and other members of the board of trustees of the NICD were introduced to the high table. The room, where the event held, was about full when the meeting commenced but this did not deter the hearty national anthem with which participants sang. The singing of the Nigerian national anthem, that preceded the meeting, was an indication of the nationalist spirit that will envelope the whole meeting; a meeting did not last more than three hours.

Immediately, Mrs. Ademola-Olateju was called forward to give the opening remark and state in a formal way why we all were gathered there. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju is a known name on Facebook. A regular columnist on the online news portal, Premium Times, Madam Bamidele, as I usually call her, was recently on the black book of the Buhari government, when she reported on her Facebook wall her experience at visiting a government school in a rural community in Lagos.

Bamidele Ademola-Olateju began her opening remarks by reminding us all of the “change” we all are clamouring for in Nigeria. She made it clear that the NICD was not a political party, but a platform on which political consciousness shall be bred. She stated that the beginning of success for Nigeria’s political life is for Nigerians to be able to cast an informed vote.

She said that cases where the electorate are so easily enticed with food and money to vote was bad for Nigerian politics and would never make the electorate make an informed vote. She stated that NICD is mobilizing for political change. She encouraged participants to go out and spread the gospel of change. She thanked all who came and reminded us all that the success of this meeting thus far was hinged on the efforts of volunteers: men and women who simply bought into the idea of the NICD and sought to ensure that it inaugural meeting was a success.

The keynote speaker was Mr. Kelechi Deca. He spoke on a topic titled “THE POWER OF THE POWERLESS”. Mr. Deca began his speech by reminding us of the “Butterfly Effect”. This is a phenomenon where a butterfly, waving its little wings in one corner of the earth, can lead to a tornado in another corner of the earth. Mr. Deca reminded us of how the death of Mr. Bouazizi, that little known Tunisian boy, led to the Arab Spring and the call for democracy and good governance in many Arab countries. He showed us that that event is at the root of activities of ISIS today and terrorist attacks in many cities in Europe. We must not underestimate what can happen in Nigeria as a result of this meeting today.

Mr. Deca reminded participants at the meeting that Nigeria still remains one of the best nations to live in. That no matter where a Nigerian goes to, home still remains home. So, since we do not have another home to call our own, why don’t we all come together and ensure that this country works. Mr. Deca told us that there is little hope for the poor Nigerian child, as the rich are ensuring that their own children succeed them in public and private institutions in the country. Then he reminded us of how social media has redefined journalism in the world and called on us all to make our views known publicly and unafraid, while we endeavoured to make our spheres of influence better. Mr. Deca quoted the late Dele Giwa, saying that Nigerians are “unshockable”, that we have endured so much in this country. It was time for change in a real sense. Mr. Deca showed us in his speech that Nigeria’s problem was not a tribal or religious problem but an economic problem. He said that if Nigerians can find food to eat, more than half of our troubles will be solved.

After the keynote address, the meeting launched into a period of questions and statements. By this time, the room was filled to capacity and participants at the meeting were very eager to state their desire for a better Nigerian nation. In answering questions, the organisers of the events and members of the boards of trustees of the NICD, stated that another meeting shall be holding soon in Kano and other major cities in the country. The aim of it all being to sensitize Nigerians towards a better comprehension of their political life and to seek good governance. The conveners stated that NICD, while not being a political party, shall become a voice in Nigeria for choosing competent individuals for political offices and supporting them to victory. It shall also not shy away from bringing these individuals to remember to fulfil their campaign promises. They shall also ensure that the recall clause in the constitution for members of the legislative arms are actively used for erring politicians.

In the inaugural meeting of the NICD, very little space was given to aimless talk and grandstanding. From the conveners to each of the participants, a sense of how to make Nigeria better, was convened to everyone. The meeting offered opportunity for participants to see, in the flesh, leading commentators on national issues on Facebook, like the delectable but firm Funmi Adewola. We left Toyin Street yesterday with the confidence that indeed this is a beginning of a new thing to come to Nigeria.

http://mouthpiece.com.ng/nigeria-one-of-the-best-nations-to-live-in-kelechi-deca/

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