Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Vote Or Quench: An Open Letter To The Nigerian Youth
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to voice my opinion and suggest solutions to a shortlist of our country's well known and resented problems. From the ongoing corruption stripping away our depleting resources, the deplorable school system depriving our students of a proper education, to the lack of infrastructure hindering our Nation's growth. A lot of the blame has fallen on our leaders, the leaders that have deceived us, and have never had our best interest at heart.
The response I received was astounding. Nigerians thanked me for my honesty and blamed me for my complacency. Yes, I was speaking to our leaders and demanding change from them, but what was I doing to make a difference. The saying "if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem" never rang truer. The truth of the matter is that the time for blaming our leaders has come to an end. It's time for us to look within and ask ourselves what are we doing to make a change.
This time I am writing to my peers, the Nigerian youth, the future of our country. We are can no longer avoid blame in the current affairs of our country. Though we are very much aware of the injustice, and heart breaking cruelty we are forced to endure, we shrug our shoulders and say that's the system. How much longer will we continue to accept this system? A system that has forced our brothers and sisters to a life of crime, abetted by a lack of opportunity. A system that has led to the destruction of the once beautiful shores of the Niger Delta. A system that forces you to bribe your professor for a passing grade. A system that puts fear in your heart every time a police officer that is supposed to be protecting you, threatens your life for 100 Naira. How much longer will we accept this as a normal part of life?
After reflecting upon the various comment I decided to rally up a number of brilliant minds who share the same love for our country, and belief in the potential of our nation. We got together to form VoteorQuench.org, an organization that calls upon our youth at home and in the Diaspora to spur much needed change in our country, and to breathe life back into this fallen democracy. We call upon you to join our efforts, because we will be the ones to inherit the problems of our country once our aging leaders are no more.
We are at a critical time in the history of Nigeria, the world is watching, and is curious to know where we are headed next. The universe has created a window of opportunity to take Nigeria back to glory. This window will not last, we must seize the opportunity, and join forces regardless of ethnicity, religious belief, gender or language. We are one Nigeria, and together we must fight for our one chance at redemption. Our culture of criticizing without action must come to an end. In a comment Nyamodi Ochieng-Nyamogo said "Change is not something you beg for, you simply take it because it is your birth right!"
Several of our brave brothers and sisters have started movements to regain control of our great nation, and we are here to support them through the efforts of Vote or Quench. Change will never come from the outside. The outside has too much to gain, for them to intervene in our local politics. It is easy to fold your arms and grumble that your vote will not be counted, everyone could take the same stand and nothing would ever happen. We are building a platform with various groups to ensure that your vote is counted, and that the election is free and fair, all we ask for you to do, is to take the first step towards a better Nigeria and register to vote.
Change obviously will not come overnight, and it will be a lot of hard work, beyond just casting your vote, beyond election monitoring and making the vote transparent. The change will come with a collective effort of our people, and a unanimous decision to commit to an attitudinal change. There must be a desire to see each other succeed, a willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good, and to be kind to even those who can do nothing for you. Change will not come from one Messiah, it will come because the nation as a whole including our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora demand change from themselves and from the nation.
I'd like to remind you, that you only get one life. So ask yourself, if you were to leave the earth today, how will you be remembered? Will you be the person who took care of himself, but did nothing for his country? Or will you be the one who was called on to save his country and answered the call with courage? What happens next in our country is your choice. Vote or Quench!
Join The Cause-Check out : http://voteorquench.org/
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Submitted by ADEPOJU SEUN (not verified) on July 20, 2010 - 01:00.
WE ARE ALL READY TO VOTE,BUT WE KNOW SOME PEOPLE HAVE TURNED WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO A HEALTHY COMPETITION TO A BLOOD SACRIFICING AFFAIR,AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE ELECTORATE VOTES DOESN'T COUNT.THANKS
Submitted by profet (not verified) on July 3, 2010 - 01:00.
it will pay you more to go to UN office and cry to them to design the best structure for your country than any such furtile event.it will pay you more to read and become a good agent that could unfold evils than using your precious time endengering your life overtly. the hidden heterogenous and un-brotherly spirits of dead heroes that led to almagamation of nations called nigeria (they named the child "nigeria" with bitterness) and the un-countable souls passing away physically, psychologically and spiritually and gnashing their teeth because of death, condition and suffering in our mists is the evil tormenting us.Evil took over our nations called nigeria because the religion that embraces all forms of evils is in invoke or seem to dorminate:like the darkness enveloping the light. structurally we are not fine, this is the problem.
Submitted by betty (not verified) on July 1, 2010 - 01:00.
To vote is not a big deal but the incoming president is already known by the so called party leaders.
Submitted by festus idumwonyi (not verified) on July 1, 2010 - 01:00.
There is so much that cannot be said here but be rest assured that the Nigeria youths just like what the Edo youths did in 2007 are ever ready to sacrifice in nurturing our democracy to fruition but the question remain can the process ever be credible. Election in Nigeria can be free and fair but can it ever remain credible is the issue begging for an answer. Thank you for the challenge you are throwing in the way of the youths but the Nigeria election process deserve much more than that.
Submitted by festus idumwonyi (not verified) on July 1, 2010 - 01:00.
Take your dear state Edo for instance during the last general election held in 2007, much as the people particularly the youths on Edo tried to change the inept government of PDP in the state, what happened? PDP was declared the winner. There were protest in the streets of Benin, many youths were killed for demanding the declaration of the actual winner of the election but it took divine intervention and almost two years for that same candidate Comrade Adams Oshiomole to be invested with the mandate that Edo people freely gave to him. I participated in that election from start to finish and experience the bitter taste of election in Nigeria. ............ Conclusion next posting
Submitted by festus idumwonyi (not verified) on July 1, 2010 - 01:00.
Nosarieme, Its good to read about your concern for our dear country especially how we can get the youths to change their attitude towards civic duties in Nigeria. Unfortunately dear the issue of election is becoming a divine matter. I agree with you 100% that the youths of Nigeria must be involved in the process that determines election result but the truth of it is that, Nigerian youths have made attempt to change all that. ............ Read next posting
Submitted by Big boy10 (not verified) on July 1, 2010 - 01:00.
@ Nosa,
It is not enough to write beautiful essays.Did you vote in the last election yourself?Did you wait for the votes to be counted?Did you then follow the returning officers to the collation centre?Did you wait at the Collation centre for the results to be collated and announced?
I did all but yet PDP still won in an election they clearly lost.
This issue is beyond youths voting.It is about having a total revolution and doing away with the old brigade.I am sorry I called your articale academic because that is what it is.Nigeria has gone beyond blaming the youths for not partcipating in elections.If you remember Andy Ubah's election as Governor,even though no elections held he was still announced as governor and sworn in.How could we have changed that?
By the way when last were you in Nigeria?
Submitted by Edonile (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
First, there is the need for proper identification of people. Residents and citizens must have personal number and national ID card. 2011 elections must be about issues : security and Niger delta , economy, social security and welfare, power, road and other infrastructure, tackling corruption and government budgets looting, education and healthcare. Nigerians must demand a better deal from their leaders, not business as usual. First 100 days in office, milestone achievement is expected. We can see how Obama handle economic recession and the healthcare reform. 2010 election in Nigeria is about burning issues about government and the people connect-ant , right now there is a gross disconnect.
Submitted by Adams Richard (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
The greatest PDP rigging machine is the docility of the general public. The PDP is not in the least intelligent in their criminality. What is the PDP rigging machinery than a network of Nigerian Police and Army in conjunction with depraved Young boys brandishing some guns to threaten the public. But, the truth is Nigerians(and the burden is on the youth) are yet to realise that the NPF is ours, NA is ours, INEC is ours, the state house is ours. Those seats that Bankole/Mark and their band of 'Aye' and 'Nay'-honour-bereft 'executive hoodlums are seating are ours. The Government House is ours.
Submitted by Adams Richard (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
The greatest PDP rigging machine is the docility of the general public. The PDP is not in the least intelligent in their criminality. What is the PDP rigging machinery than a network of Nigerian Police and Army in conjunction with depraved Young boys brandishing some guns to threaten the public. But, the truth is Nigerians(and the burden is on the youth) are yet to realise that the NPF is ours, NA is ours, INEC is ours, the state house is ours. Those seats that Bankole/Mark and their band of 'Aye' and 'Nay'-honour-bereft 'executive hoodlums are seating are ours. The Government House is ours.
Submitted by Adams Richard (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
Nosa & Nneka, Thanks for your efforts. Do you know that this single article is worth more than Bankole's three years and counting futile occupation of sensitive public office?. Is not better that you guys collect the 9Billion, even if to use for lipsticks than for Banky and his puppeteers to flood Nigeria with Bullet Proof Vehicles after they have stocked guns and thiefing devices to further send Nigeria to oblivion? This reinforces my belief that THEIR IS HOPE FOR NIGERIA. THIS COUNTRY IS OURS!
Submitted by Emmanuel Ndekwe.........California (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
@Deri,why are you playing the victim? Now you are waiving the white flag. I am not the only one that noticed your tribalistic comments on here. You are a hypocrite my dear brother. GoodLuck Jonathan did not succumb to your kind, that is why every ethnicity in CPAC
Submitted by kalamity (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
@G-A Ajayi, thank God that u understand that I'm frustrated and not that I'm pessimistic. Though I'm in diaspora now, I spent most of my youthful age in Nigeria...hoping and working to make things work. I had to leave the country out of clear frustration. My main frustration came from the fact that the youths don't even recognize that there is a problem with the system. I used to be directly involved in politics-always with the opposition-but eventual found out that even the opposition would do worse things if allowed to govern. To be frank with u, the problem of Naija started from the day the British named it Nigeria! The country wasn't modeled to succeed. I see revolution as the only source of redemption.
Submitted by real (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
We'll support you. We're not sure if our votes will count..but let's just leave that one to God for now..Follow the twitter page for the revolutionary Nigerian youth (mark that word, "revolutionary"): [b]www.twitter.com/SaveNigeriaGrp[/b]
Submitted by Deri (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
Papa Emma, I really do not understand what you meant by ( tribal sentiments) in my posting. I tried to ignore your comment the last time u lashed out on me. My appeal to the likes-of u was very simple. Let us work together to bury our regional tribal marks. What is wrong with that? Suddenly your thoughts took a U turn, by parading impoverished humans, doing a honest job- selling congo meat along the creeks of the Niger Delta, to insult a whole ethnic group. Is it not a shame that the natives from whose land, your forebearers stole money to obtain their socalled tribal education in d 50s, have their benefactors still selling bush meant in the 21st century, instead of having u serve them in their super shopping malls like the ones in Dubai? If u can describe the ethnic group that GEJ hails from, as half-witted fools, what is that will empower u to see him as yr president talk less 2011-yet Abiola won Plateau state-without yr votes.So, grow up.
Submitted by Danmeka on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
Thanks for this lovely piece Nosarieme, I pray the Nigerian youths would read,digest this article and not be misled by narrow minded Legislatheives.
Submitted by Olu Frank Benson (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
To be honest i am not one or will never be one with people who at the age and present day can accept that you can sexually molest a child and say it is ok because your so-called religion allows it since a ritual called marriage ceremony was conducted beforehand.
Submitted by hope this is not a new hustle like Alistair BEN TV (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
@ i commmend you and other youths for noble ideas but please can you divert your resources to organizing a referendum firstly to see if the peoples want to be one or go seperate ways as it is not a do-or-die afair to remain one country.
Submitted by hope this is not a new hustle like Alistair BEN TV (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
@ i commmend you and other youths for noble ideas but please can you divert your resources to organizing a referendum firstly to see if the peoples want to be one or go seperate ways as it is not a do-or-die afair to remain one country.
Submitted by kulkat on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
[quote]
Those we seek resides in the gutter, we must be willing to get into the gutter to reach them. Come with us, let us show their children what the their parents are doing to us. Only then we can expect a change.
Join us. Let have a tea party.
[/quote]
The REGULATORS
Submitted by Ochuko Amos (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
]..contd,
The EU today is a community of different peoples who decides to form an entity together to achieve a mutually beneficial goal, this idealogy was forge over time and was not forced on them and if things dont work they will go their seperate ways without shooting a single gunshot because nobody wants to live a 'lie'.
They say there is strength in unity, but how strong would a union be when it lacks sincerety of purpose amongst its components from onset, or where the union is forced, the imposing components must be able to demonstrate commitment to equity to ensure progress is not compromised in all aspects affecting the union as with the case in United States.
Submitted by Ochuko Amos (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
]..contd,
The EU today is a community of different peoples who decides to form an entity together to achieve a mutually beneficial goal, this idealogy was forge over time and was not forced on them and if things dont work they will go their seperate ways without shooting a single gunshot because nobody wants to live a 'lie'.
They say there is strength in unity, but how strong would a union be when it lacks sincerety of purpose amongst its components from onset, or where the union is forced, the imposing components must be able to demonstrate commitment to equity to ensure progress is not compromised in all aspects affecting the union as with the case in United States.
Submitted by Ochuko Amos (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
[quote][/quote][b]We are one Nigeria, and together we must fight for our one chance at redemption[/b][quote][/quote]
That is the number 1 Nigeria's problem because we are not One and most likely will never be one in true sense, it is like saying Sudan should remain one because the colonial masters says they are one, even the Scottish are actively working on seceeding from the UK.
Submitted by Doyin Odogbolu (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
Nosarieme Garrick is writing from USA and calling for democracy in the “fatherland” Nigeria. The more we know, the less we understand it. Future is elastic; and future is somewhere out there. Unfortunately, future is not allowed to be seen.
Submitted by Charles Ekakabor (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
This is only sensible in a country where your vote actually counts. Even though It is a worthy thought, it will come to naught, because until the cancers of corruption (Farida Waziri and Bukola Saraki got national awards yesterday) nepotism and ethnic discrimination are vanquished, this is a feel good act, an exercise in futility.
Submitted by Alli Pedro (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
Yes, I am all in. We need to show all the VIPs (Vagabonds In Power) the way to the door come 2011 election. Power to the people.
Submitted by kulkat on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
Wrong move!
We should be calling for the prosecution and public humiliation of corrupt officials.
We need to remove these thieves from the political arena first. Has anyone ever wonder why not a single politician has so far publicly call for the prosecution of those involved in contract scandals, not even the presidential aspirant.
Sure, we can vote, vote to replace a thief with another one.
Submitted by Deri (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
A revolution is not a tea party. Let us use what we have to change the system. They stole our tomorrow cause we had no way of communcating with each other. Our kids are talking and making friends across ehtnic lines on the internet. Nosa is talking to them. Reaching out like Obama did with the American youths. Let us join the train. There is no stopping us. Who could have forced a Nigerian president to sack an INEC official? The Hallibutton thieves and Siemen crooks are not sleeping. Let us work to chase the devil out of our country. The masses in Ghana, did it through the internet and radio stations. Yes our problem is poverty. But let us not allow that to becloud our sense of justice. Let us chase them out. The war is already on-here in SR among other places.. the era of the generals are gone forever with the wind of change blowing across the country.
Submitted by Emmanuel Ndekwe.............California (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
@Deri, I was enjoying your comment till I saw the TRIBAL sentiment again on your post and the self-righteous HYPOCRISY...I grew up amongst your kinds in the said south south states of Nigeria. Instead of you to encourage your kinsmen to seek for higher education and not engaged in selling BUSH MEAT and CONGO-MEAT(snail)along Warri-Patani road, you are hear blaming others. Itsekiris+Education= not complaining.
Submitted by G-A Ajayi (not verified) on June 30, 2010 - 01:00.
Well done Nosa, it starts here.
kalamity, I understand what you are saying and I feel your frustration. And you are right in saying that a revolution is what is needed in Nigeria. But understand that a revolution doesn't just materialize out of thin air; it always has a foundation of passion from which it springs. Vote, vote and vote again even if the same crooks rig it. The youth (those who care) need to feel what it means for their vote to go uncounted and watch the ill results. That’s when passion comes in. Passion doesn't just show up one day because we continue to say "well, that's just how Nigeria is". Let the youth invest in something ( a vote or 2 or 3 or 4)and truly embrace the idea of having something to loose (Nigeria), and then watch it whiter away; I guarantee you, your revolution won’t be far off.
