Being a text of the official declaration of interest by Olorundare Destiny on the occasion of his birthday this 22nd day of December 2017.
YES, WE CAN! YES, I CAN! TEMI DARES!
If we want to change things, we need to rattle some cages, shake things up, and go for the bold. We have to find the edge. Yes, we Can!
And, then push past it.
The way to change the world, or at least our world, is to dare to be different. When we dare to be different, we step out of the mold, and we make space for our creative twists. When we dare to be different, sometimes we stand alone.
But alone is where our unique creative contributions can thrive.
It is what leaders and inspiring minds, do. We Can! They take us beyond the edges of conformity to pave brave new frontiers.
For long we have been shackled by beliefs foisted on us by those feasting on our collective wellbeing and we are at the risk of bequeathing this unwholesome arrangement to generations yet unborn. We have what it takes to break the chains of unfair advantage in our politics if the dreams of selfless, articulate and purposeful representation will be realized. The time has come to do things differently to enable us get different but positive results that are of our collective interest.
*Vision:*
I have a vision that we (the poor and downtrodden youths) can be anything we wish to be. Yes, we Can! I have a vision that one day Kabba/Bunu State Constituency will get the right quality representation for the overall benefit of the people. I see a possibility when and where people will be elected not on the basis of “how much he has to squander” or who is sponsoring him but on the basis of individual capacities, natural talents and intellect. I see a peaceful revolution that will dethrone money bag politicians who only come to buy themselves our collective wealth for stipends. I see a time when youths will match out in unison against the oppression of the ruling class to be part of the decision making process rather than mere thugs and ballot box snatchers. I believe it’s possible. We Can!
*Mission:*
i. To lead a peaceful revolutionary movement that will ensure that Youths take their right positions in leadership and governance.
ii. To de-emphasize job hunting among youths and raise a generation of entrepreneurs and job providers by wealth creation.
iii. Lead the campaign against thuggery and youth violence by massive reorientation and sensitization of the youths.
iv. To put our vast knowledge of Governance and Legislative processes to work for the benefit of our people.
v. To give Kabba/Bunu State Constituency a voice and qualitative representation that will foster development, peace and progress through sponsorship of people-oriented Bills and Motions, proper follow up on budgeting and approved projects, mutually harmonious relationship with the Executive Arm of Government and direct connection with Constituents for latest needs.
*Promptings/Inspirations:*
i. My story prompted me; a student who passed out from Secondary School at the age of 18 years full of dreams, hopes and aspirations; couldn’t secure admission until five years later. Gained admission at age 23 and graduated at age 27 years. After the one year mandatory service to the nation (NYSC) waited for another 5 to 7years without getting a job. And in no distant time, the dreams, hopes and aspirations became nothing but a mirage and nightmare. Thus, if nothing is done, the dreams perish and it is blown away by the wind of time.
This story of mine represents the story of an average Kabba/Bunu Youth. It’s so pathetic as you see a man in his 30s still living in his parent’s house not because he likes it or so wished, but, because he has no choice if his own to the battered system, thus the need for a systemic change.
The end product are frustration, poverty, violence and most painful self defeat. At the moment, we lost confidence in ourselves, we lost all the hopes and we accept anything that comes our way from those who pose as our “saviors and mentors” not knowing they were the very cause of our miseries and woes in the first place. *SO I DARE TO DARE*
*WE CAN!*
ii. I am moved to stand today to debunk their myth. They (ruling elites) claimed we are not ripe enough for a place in leadership. They should know that, we are not too young to run. They claimed we have been too darkened to know our rights and claim it. They say we don’t even trust ourselves enough to vote for leaders within and amongst us. We Can!
To all these false claims and myth, here is my response; we are wiser now, we know better and we are ready to take our destinies in our own hands. We Are Not Too Young To Run and Win To Rule. Never again shall we kill ourselves for you. We will resist every move to sabotage this resolution. Yes, we Can!
Agenda:
1. Job Creation and Empowerment:
i. Training of 600 (150 per year; 10 from each Ward) youths in ICT/Cryptocurrency trading.
ii. Training of 600 or more Agropreneurs.
iii. Training of 150 or more youths in different Skills Acquisition programmes.
iv. Sponsor regular and consistent workshops, conferences and seminars.
2. Education:
i. Scholarships for willing uneducated youths (Specially for the artisans that desire to get formal education).
ii. Scholarships for the less privileged, indigent and outstanding ones.
iii. Annual Inter School Quiz and Debate Competitions, to be Tagged: “Destiny Debate”
iv. Annual summer lessons for secondary schools across the Kabba/Bunu State Constituency.
3. Sports
i. Annual Secondary Schools Football Competition within Kabba/Bunu State Constituency, where the best player of every year will get scholarship to a standard Nigerian Football Academy.
ii. Support Kabba/Bunu Football Club through sponsorship of inter Local Government Area friendly matches.
iii. We will influence and facilitate the inclusion of identified football stars in the State Team and Leagues.
iv. We would build ultra modern viewing centres in both Kabba and Bunu which will be handed over to the District Community Association. E.g. Kabba Development Union (KDU).
4. Development and Social Infrastructure
i. We shall sponsor motions that will bring the executive arm to the awareness of our infrastructural decay and needs.
ii. We shall use every available legislative power and resources to attract needed developmental projects.
iii. Constituency project allowances will be transparently deployed for constituent’s identified developmental projects
iv. We shall have a functional and accessible Constituency Office where individuals, groups and communities can bring ideas and suggest areas that need legislative attention and/or intervention.
5. Culture & Tourism
1. We are aware of the vast cultural heritage of our people and the several tourist centres (both identified and those yet unknown). We shall identify, promote and harness all it potentials for the overall interest of the people.
2. We shall draw the attention of the state government and other stakeholders towards the development of our tourist potentials.
3. We shall move motions and sponsor Bills that will incorporate these tourism potentials and centres to the state’s.
4. We shall identify and promote cultural heritage within and outside the state.
It is my believe that this particular sector is capable of turning our lots around for good especially in job creation, youth empowerments, development, etc.
Limitations and Surmountable Fears:
i. Our only fear is fear itself. I fear not we might be defeated by the lack of self confidence and fear of the unknown. My fear is not our opponents who are not in any way close to us in terms of ideas, competence, agility, creativity and doggedness needed for effective legislative assignment but, falling for the temptations of thinking they can subdue us. We must first defeat our fears and believe we can do this and win. Surely, we Can!
ii. The seemingly insubordination and lack of autonomy for the State Assemblies.
iii. For the meagre available resources of the State and particularly Members of the House of Assembly.
Strategies/Approach:
1. We will not spare anything legally right in the pursuit of the people’s interest, need and mandate.
2. We shall lobby, beg and where necessary struggle to give Kabba/Bunu State Constituency a fair and qualitative representation that will bring to life all our collective hopes, desires and dreams.
3. We shall mobilize and partner with relevant critical stakeholders, NGOs and government agencies in order to further the delivery of our promises. We Can!
Partnership/Collaboration/Funding:
Funding, collaboration and partnership here is in three (3) stages. The first is for the election process, secondly for consolidation and the third is for the execution of this agenda.
i. On the election, this is a liberation movement for the youths, we have no sponsor, no godfather and no money bag anywhere. Therefore, the project is for the youthful and so, we shall be the sponsors ourselves. We are raising just 1,000 youths that will partner and collaborate with this project with minimum of 1,000 naira. By this, we will raise one million naira strictly for the Expression of Intent Form and other needed logistics cum publicity. By this also, we would have raised for ourselves 1,000 supporters as well as sponsors who will also be ready to defend their investment to any length until we win. By this again, we shall see to the end of money politics. Yes, we Can!
On the other hand, after the victory; we intend to and shall identify individuals, groups, organizations and other relevant critical stakeholders for specific project executions. E.g. the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Inter and Intra Faith-Based Initiatives for Peaceful Coexistence, etc.
Resolutions:
We are firm and resolute to see a new generation of leaders that will emerge amongst and within ourselves as youths.
We are resolute not to give up on this cause but very firm and focused until we win, and finally we are convinced beyond doubt that, victory is sure because we have conquered our number one enemy “fear” by daring to dare. We Can!
Based on the aforementioned, I, hereby submit myself to lead this peaceful but far reaching revolution that will lead to a paradigm shift in the old order, that will empower the youths of Kabba/Bunu State Constituency and place it in her pride of place. I, therefore, humbly declare my intention, desire and aspiration to stand as your candidate in the forthcoming Kogi State House of Assembly elections 2019 representing Kabba/Bunu State Constituency while soliciting for your maximum support and partnership in this our collective project. Together we Can.
*Conclusion:*
We refuse to take the back seat on the decision making table with issues affecting our future as seldom addressed without us having a say. We refuse the unholy rulership of imposed leaders whose generation are the cause of our past and present troubles, we refuse to accept we are the leaders of tomorrow anymore rather, the future is now and we are ready to be leaders of today. We are Not Too Young To Run and Win To Rule. We Can! I Can!
To your victory,
God bless you all.
Dr. Olorundare A. S. Destiny
