As human beings, we always seem to get excited about an opportunity, an idea, a resolution. Its the initial fervor that hits us, the promise it could hold, the greatness it could bring, the difference it could make in our lives. As is life the trip we set upon to greatness is never the smoothest ride, far from it its usually the toughest ride of our lives.

Here we are in Nigeria, on our road to redemption in this 2011 election journey, we the youth have banded together, despite our differences and have pledged that for the first time, a lot of us would withstand the electoral process, and actually make our votes count.

We have been through an unbelievably flawed registration period that was hardly long enough, and through that we stood together feeding our fellow corpers, and encouraging our friends and acquaintances to imagine the change that could happen if we all registered. We donated our time during the registration extension, to ensure every one of our fellow Nigerians got the chance to register.

We stood up to demand a platform for the youth voice to be heard, and for our presidential candidates to address our issues. While we were faced by adversity and reluctant participants, we came together and still made our questions heard.

We came out in droves on April 9th only to discover that the elections had been cancelled, we alerted our friends, and still encouraged each other not to give up.

Now here we are, the eve before the actual elections will finally commence and we are faced with cruel bomb blasts, and more postponements. What do we do?

We have come too far, and have fought too hard to make these elections as free and fair as possible. We may be a little scared for our safety, but still we must come out and defy any pitiful attempt at intimidation, because our efforts have not been in vain. I implore you to take your neighbor’s hand, walk bravely to your polling booth, and cast your vote only for a party that you believe in. We the youth have been here for one another and will continue to do so.

Stand at your polling unit cast your vote, and protect your vote. Report any incidents you may witness to Sahara Reporters text +1646.770.1291, or call 1.718.577.1398, or text ReclaimNaija.net at 08166662222, 08120006622, 0809662221, download REVODA http://www.revoda.org/.

May the souls of those who lost their lives this evening rest in peace.

For Immediate Release:

Youth Organizations Ask Nigerian Presidential Candidates, “What About Us?”
Youth-led Organizations and Media Outlets Join Forces to Call for A Youth-Focused Debate

February 22, 2011, Abuja, Nigeria – Building on momentum from a mass voter registration drive, a coalition of several youth empowerment groups and blogs, including Vote or Quench, Enough is Enough Nigeria, Sleeves Up, and Nigeria Leadership Initiative, are calling for the first-ever presidential youth centered debate in Nigeria. Looking ahead to the April elections, the debate would focus on the key issues affecting a critical voting demographic, with the age group of 30 and under representing 70% of the population.

The debate will be a direct conversation with Nigerian youth, inviting presidential candidates to answer questions posed by young Nigerians, at home and abroad, via social media networks including Facebook and Twitter, text message and phone, about key topics of concern. For the first time, the candidates will have a platform to share their agenda with the nation in a live-televised format, laying out specific and concrete solutions. The debate is tentatively scheduled for the last week of March, 2011.

“It is easy for politicians to promise change without having a clue about the realities Nigerian youth face every day. However, we know that their decisions now will largely determine our future so we want to know where they stand. This time around, we are engaged, aware and empowered, and believe that our vote should be earned and not expected,” the group said in a joint statement.

The group’s mission started on January 11th, 2011, with the #IfNaijaVotes donate your status initiative, prompting Nigerians across the globe to voice their predictions on the nation’s prospects if free and fair elections are held. The group now seeks to further educate the Nigerian youth on the missions and motives of presidential aspirants and will continue to collaborate on various initiatives to drive voter awareness and participation. More details on participating groups for the initiative can be found on our website, www.WhatAboutUsNigeria.org or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/WhatAboutUs.

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Vote or Quench (www.VoteorQuench.org) is a social media-driven, grassroots campaign created to empower, engage and involve Nigerian youth – at home and in the Diaspora –in the political process.

EnoughisEnough Nigeria (www.eienigeria.com) is a coalition of individuals and youth organizations committed to instituting a culture of good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through advocacy, activism and the mobilization of the youth population as responsible citizens. The coalition includes The Future Project, Light Up Nigeria, Paradigm Initiative and Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND).

Nigeria Leadership Initiative (www.NLI-Global.org) is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. It is a platform for credible, accomplished and uniquely patriotic Nigerians to develop and express values-based leadership skills with the aim of assuming a transformative role in the continuous development of Nigeria.

Sleeves Up! (www.SleevesUp.org) is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan organization that presents a platform for the millions of young Nigerians across the nation and beyond that are tired of just “talking the talk”; young Nigerians ready to “walk the walk”. Our mission is to continuously plan, implement and sustain projects that will enable us build a solid network of like-minded young Nigerians who are resolved to being MASTERS of change not VICTIMS of change.

Wangonet (www.Wangonet.org) provides intellectual and ICT resources to NGOs, media, educational and cultural institutions, private sector clients.

Culture Shock: Nigerians in America (www.CultureShockNigerians.com) Hosted by Abimbola Ishola and Kunle Ayodeji, is a new talk radio show airing on Splash 105.5 FM in various Nigerian cities connecting Nigerians in Nigeria to Nigerians in America like never before.
Nneka Egbuna (www.NnekaWorld.com) Globally acclaimed Nigerian singer/songwriter.

Nigerian Diaspora Electoral Reform Group (www.NDERG.org) a US-based, non-profit non-governmental organization whose main aim is to work with Nigerians and friends of Nigeria within and outside of Nigeria towards participating in the political, social and electoral reforms in the country.

Tiwa Works (www.TiwaWorks.com) is an international marketing, promotions, and event planning firm that reaches across the 3 continents of North America, Europe and Africa.

Celebrate Progress Africa (www.CP-Africa.com) chooses to celebrate what is right about Africa. Through partnerships with organizations online and on the ground, they hope to create a paradigm shift amongst Africans everywhere and offer a space for inspiration and creativity.

Nigeria for Nigerians (www.Facebook.com/NigeriansforNigeria) Everything about Nigeria and Nigerians. Nigeria for Nigerians believe in the simple premise that Nigeria’s future is up to Nigerians.
Last Plane to Lagos (www.LastPlanetoLagos.com) is an online magazine featuring Events, Culture, Lifestyle, Music and Fashion by creative minds of African origin.

The Nigerian Eagle (www.theNigerianEagle.com) unites Nigerians around the world of all ages for the purpose of sharing opinions, views, beliefs, and suggested solutions for our country’s progress – then to educate and unite the next generation of Nigerians around the world to share their opinions, increase their interest and enlighten them of the great historical and present facts of our great Nation.

Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (www.yiaga.org) YAIA is a Jos-based youth-led non-governmental, non-political and non-religious organization that systematically aims to promote democracy and foster active youth participation in democratic and good governance processes.

Chiedu Ifeozo (www.ChieduIfeozo.blogspot.com) Renowned Nigerian writer & poet.

With all the negative press surrounding Nigeria, and actual negative reality, its easy to gloss over the good that is happening. Young Nigerians are taking matters into their own hands, and creating the change they want to see. By highlighting the efforts of these young braves we hope to inspire you where ever you are, to realize you don’t have to be a millionaire to change Nigeria, you just have to want to be the change you wish to see.

Nmachi Jidenma is our first Naijadvocate, founder of Celebrating Progress Africa. Realizing the bleak climate surrounding Africa, rarely pierced by positive news, Nmachi decided to take matters into her own hands by creating a blog that… celebrates Africa’s progress. This is her story.

What led you to start CP-Africa?
I started CP-Africa because I wanted a space online where I could go and inspire myself about progress being made in African development. At first, that space online was my Facebook wall via posts and videos I shared with my immediate online network. However, one day I decided to move it to a blogspot account and afterwards to CP-Africa’s current home online, CP-Africa.com.

What made you focus on the developments in Africa?
As a Nigerian and as an African, I have always been drawn towards African development topics. I think the lure for me came from having someone like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala lead Nigeria as Finance Minister at a stage in my life when I was still exploring my life interests and passion. Being able to witness the changes she brought to both the Ministry and indeed the country was extremely inspiring and it gave me hope and a belief in a better future for Nigeria and for the continent.

What keeps you going, and what is your ultimate goal with CP-Africa?
What keeps me going? The stories that we cover keeps me going. They inspire me and I am happy to discover them and share them with the world. Also, hearing from people who the site has helped out in terms of alerting them about business or educational opportunities or linking them up with likeminded individuals inspires me. I like the fact that people find the site useful and I will like it to continue to be a resource for them. Ultimately, I want CP-Africa to be an inspiring and useful resource that inspires Africans all over the web.

Why is it important to you for Nigeria’s youth to get involved in the 2011 elections?
Getting involved in the 2011 elections is incredibly crucial. The continent has myriads of problems but governance is one arguably the most important of them all. If we can solve the problem of governance, it will give us the opportunity to solve other developmental problems more constructively. Moreover, the outcome of this year’s elections can make a tremendous difference for Nigeria in the next decade or two. If we are able to elect a principled, competent and effective leader in this election, the sky indeed is the limit for this country.

If you could ask our candidates to change one thing about Nigeria what would it be?
Give us power; uninterrupted,constant power supply. Even with the current power situation, our private sector is as vibrant as can be. I shudder to think of how fast this country will grow economically if the power problem is solved – the growth it will bring will be nothing short of phenomenal.