As political parties and Nigerians prepare
towards 2023 general elections, some group of youths under the umbrella body of CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT has organized a Voter’s Education tagged PVCHANGOUT, which is aimed at educating young Nigerians and adults to come out en-mass to register for Permanent Voter’s Card and ensure the collection to be able to vote in the next coming election.
The hang out was held on the 19th, of May 2022 at Citadel hall in Ondo city the Capital of Ondo West, Ondo State.
It was a moment with dignitaries and relevant stakeholders at the event.
The program starts with the National Anthem by the Convener Olusegun Akinsehinde.
Mr. Adegboyega, the representative of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) speaks on behavioral attitude of Nigerians towards election particularly the youth. He said the agency is set out to continually make public awareness and disseminate programs and policies of government to the citizenry to be better informed. They also promised in working hand in glove with the INEC to achieve desired objectives and takes the information to every nooks and crannies of the society.
INEC Representatives Chief Mrs. Segun Osifeso and Mrs. Alo, encouraged eligible voters to get registered for the PVCs and collect same. She also said, the PVC is not just a means of identification, as it common among the youth, the PVC is issued for voting purpose and that should be respected and honored.
On the other part, they addressed the issue of damaged and lost permanent voters’ cards, they said affected persons should come and laid their complaints at the INEC State office or any Local offices close to them or log on to the INEC CVR portal. In her remarks the INEC representative also enjoined eligible voters to go all out and get registered. “It is your right to have PVC and use same to vote on election day once you are 18 years and above. We must go out to vote”. They assured us that all votes will count.
While speaking the DSS representative stressed the need for adequate provision of security on election day and how electorates should conducts themselves at the polling units. He took his time to reeled out the dos and don’t on election day at polling units.
MR FELIX OJO, was there representing Prince. Adewole Adebayo (Founder of KAFTAN TV). In his word, as a media house, they’re ready for any publicity to ensure the News of programs like this is everywhere so that many people will be aware the reason for getting a PVC is very important and it’s useful to better our lives. He expressed the desires of the Founder, that his ready to support Programs and events that will continually bring growth and development to Nigeria. He used the medium to encourage youths to be actively involve in grassroots politics. He said ” go all out and join different political parties and be part of decision making body at the grassroots, starting from your wards”.
Amb. Wumi Gold, Secretary National Association of Ondo State Students NAOSS. He admonished all youths to get their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) to enable them to secure a better future for themselves. It’s the time for the youths.#nottooyoungtorun. However, he pleaded with the youths to shun violence during and after the election.
Hon. Olusegun Akinsehinde (Dr package) while speaking on his part “ the essence of this is to encourage the youth to get their PVCs and get involved in the grassroots politics in other to change the narrative of “Vote don’t count” . This cliche has been the basis for the low participation of youths in the past elections. All hands must be on deck, we must be international about our progress and process in politics. That’s why we are having a conversation at a time like this.
Hon. Oluyemi Fasipe( yemiefash) Social media and Co-Convener PVCHANGOUT, stated in his words “Enough is enough” of youth docility. It’s high time we engage the youth ecosystem, in grassroots politics and encourage them on the massive collection of PVCs. He the whole economy is messed up at the moment, if we must change the narrative the youth as to be alive to their responsibility, collectively and painstakingly by getting involved in developmental programs like this one that will translate to future successes.
At the end of the event, we all agreed “Our vote is our right and must not be sold”.