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By Mary Amodu
Remember the name Oladele John Nihi? He was the young man who trekked from Abuja to Bayelsa in support of the peaceful handing over of power by the immediate past Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. In this chat with Mary Amodu, he speaks on his political ambition and youth rebirth in Kogi State.
Introduction
My name is Comrade Oladele John Nihi. I am an indigene of Aiyegunle Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. I am a graduate of Kogi State University, Anyigba from the department of Political Science. I have a Masters Degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.
My name is Comrade Oladele John Nihi. I am an indigene of Aiyegunle Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. I am a graduate of Kogi State University, Anyigba from the department of Political Science. I have a Masters Degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.
What motivates you?
My motivation is the passion and the rate of youth involvement in politics. For me, my thought is that if I should get involved in politics, I should do that when am still young and agile. Kogi State is a typical example where we have the youngest Governor in Nigeria presently, who is Alhaji Yahaya Bello and his team of youths in his cabinet who are focused to rewrite the destiny of Kogi State. If you check the history of successful leaders who have ruled this country, you will realize that most of them fall within the age grade of 35 to 50.
My motivation is the passion and the rate of youth involvement in politics. For me, my thought is that if I should get involved in politics, I should do that when am still young and agile. Kogi State is a typical example where we have the youngest Governor in Nigeria presently, who is Alhaji Yahaya Bello and his team of youths in his cabinet who are focused to rewrite the destiny of Kogi State. If you check the history of successful leaders who have ruled this country, you will realize that most of them fall within the age grade of 35 to 50.
The organization was once engulfed in crisis, have the issues been settled?
I will not tag that as crisis in the youth council. A body which comprises of youths definitely they will have its share of disagreements. The crisis we have at the National level is basically in factions, at the moment we have 3 people claiming to be the president of the organization but that does not in any way affect the State or the local government chapters of the organization. Here in Kogi State, the executives are one and are working harmoniously, that you can see from the recent youth conference held in the State.
Based on our constitution which was reviewed and adopted 2012, every organ of the youth council which basically consists of National, State and Local Chapter can act independently as long as it is within the constitution provided for them. They can exist even without a functioning National Executive Council.
The role of the State chapter at the National level are majorly during elections or during National events where the National executives invite the State chapters for programs, during an election the State sends its delegates. The ongoing crisis at the National level has little or no effect in the State.
You walked for the former President Goodluck Jonathan, was it out of financial inducement or because you feel he deserved the tribute?
Prior to the election, the walk wasn’t planned. I never had the thought until I heard of the man who walked for President Buhari, it was then I said within me if someone can walk for a man because he won the election, I can definitely do something for a man who willingly handed over in the case of defeat.
Prior to the election, the walk wasn’t planned. I never had the thought until I heard of the man who walked for President Buhari, it was then I said within me if someone can walk for a man because he won the election, I can definitely do something for a man who willingly handed over in the case of defeat.
When you look properly, you will discover that the major problem of our leaders in Africa is “seat tight syndrome” where leaders who are in power do not agree to hand over the mantle of power after defeat to their predecessors.
For Jonathan to accept defeat and hand over gracefully, I felt he deserved similar honour, so it wasn’t out of monetary gain and if I have to do it again, I will.
For Jonathan to accept defeat and hand over gracefully, I felt he deserved similar honour, so it wasn’t out of monetary gain and if I have to do it again, I will.
Talking about the Nigeria and Youth, can they be entrusted with the responsibility of leadership
As an advocate of #NotTooYoungToRun, I believe in the energetic nature of man, which is his prime age. Let’s take a look at our President Mohammadu Buhari and compare when he first ruled this country. Logically speaking, President Buhari has everything to take Nigeria to the promise land but factors like age and ill health which unfortunately come with the former have affected his level of output. Imagine having him as a president in the prime age of 40 or 50 and handling the helms of affairs, he will definitely do better. As a matter of fact youths are the destiny and the future of this country.
As an advocate of #NotTooYoungToRun, I believe in the energetic nature of man, which is his prime age. Let’s take a look at our President Mohammadu Buhari and compare when he first ruled this country. Logically speaking, President Buhari has everything to take Nigeria to the promise land but factors like age and ill health which unfortunately come with the former have affected his level of output. Imagine having him as a president in the prime age of 40 or 50 and handling the helms of affairs, he will definitely do better. As a matter of fact youths are the destiny and the future of this country.
Should you win the election, what are you bringing to the table?
As far as I am concerned, in our campaign team, we have set out for ourselves three agendas which we call “The rebirth blueprint”. This blueprint is anchored on three cardinal areas. The first is; Re-organizing the youth council for better and efficient service delivery. The second one is the youth sensitization and empowerment and lastly is strengthening the institutional relationship. We are repositioning the Youth Council, like the saying goes the way you are dressed is the way you will be addressed.
We believe that the first thing we should do is to make the body attractive for people to want to associate with it. And as at today, the Youth Council can only boast of a shop as an office, this is part of what we intend to do.
We have long, medium and short term goals in the Youth Rebirth Blueprint for the council. First on our agenda will be to have a Kogi Youth House where youths across the 21 LGAs participates in one or two activities. The Youth House will also serve as a meeting point for our youths. We would through that build for ourselves a strong youth oriented family. Also, in the area of mobility it is hoped that transportation will not be an issue for the Council, this we wish to solve through the purchase of a bus for the youth council because as at today, the council does not even have a bicycle. This we intend to provide through government support.
The third agenda is youth empowerment and sensitization where we intend to go across the 21 local governments to sensitize our youths knowing very well that the youths constitute about 60-70% of today’s population. We intend to harmonize ourselves because when there is no unity, there is no way we can achieve a single development or even our rights from the government. We intend to drive a youth body that is purpose driven at the same time key into the new direction agenda to see things we can get from them. Also involve ourselves in advocacy programmes, internship programmes and youth empowerment programmes.
I have been privileged to travel to five countries and by the grace of God, four of these trips were sponsored through youth programmes. So we intend to have such an exposure trips where we need to connect to our brothers across the countries. Also get invites and State government to sponsor youths for either internship programmes like 4-5 months.
Lastly, in strengthening of the institutional relationship which the media is also part of our main partners.You can not underestimate the role of the media in the society, so we plan to partner with media houses both at the State and National level for easier projection of all our activities also as a means to advocate for what we want.
We also intend to partner with the Ministry of Youth and Sports which is our main umbrella. This is to enable us have access to what is due for the council. Also partner with security agencies and one very important thing we intend to do is to have a youth farm across the three senatorial districts.
The federal government is trying to diversify the economy. We also know that presently, Kogi State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has declared State of emergency in agriculture. We intend to have a youth farm, make it attractive for our youths in areas such as Omni dam in the West where arable crops can be planted likewise Ibaji in the eastern part. We can have a poultry farm and good spot for tuber crops also in the central senatorial district. Through this we can have commercial and consumption goods.
What are your chances of winning the election?
One of the things our opponents cannot take from us is the fact that our campaign team is sophisticated and the fact that we added color and taste in our campaign. Machinery has been put in place to ensure that all our said promises are actualized because we do not intend to build castles in the air. Secondly, my team cut across the three senatorial district with men and women of high integrity. Considering the support we have gathered so far, the goodwill and our efforts through the tours to the 21 Local Government Areas, also with my competent team I can say God willing the seat is ours.
One of the things our opponents cannot take from us is the fact that our campaign team is sophisticated and the fact that we added color and taste in our campaign. Machinery has been put in place to ensure that all our said promises are actualized because we do not intend to build castles in the air. Secondly, my team cut across the three senatorial district with men and women of high integrity. Considering the support we have gathered so far, the goodwill and our efforts through the tours to the 21 Local Government Areas, also with my competent team I can say God willing the seat is ours.
What are the favorite memories of your childhood?
Very interesting! I remember very well that when I was a child, my dream was to become a pastor. I normally imitate my pastor and every opportunity I had, I involve myself in preaching and people call me pastor. Anytime I recall this memory and see myself in politics, I just say they are different areas we can better serve.
Very interesting! I remember very well that when I was a child, my dream was to become a pastor. I normally imitate my pastor and every opportunity I had, I involve myself in preaching and people call me pastor. Anytime I recall this memory and see myself in politics, I just say they are different areas we can better serve.
What are your weak and strong points?
For my strongest point, I will say is my boldness. Whatever I set out to achieve I ensure I pursue if to its last because I don’t see failure as an option. While my weakest point is the fact that am very transparent, like to say it as it is. This has almost put me in trouble.
For my strongest point, I will say is my boldness. Whatever I set out to achieve I ensure I pursue if to its last because I don’t see failure as an option. While my weakest point is the fact that am very transparent, like to say it as it is. This has almost put me in trouble.
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