To commemorate the Black and Women’s History Month, former US Diplomat, Dr. Atim Eneida George, engaged residents of Makoko community in Lagos on voting rights and women empowerment. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.
IT was a town hall meeting with a difference when former US Diplomat, Dr. Atim Eneida George, engaged residents of Makoko community in Lagos on their voting rights and women empowerment.
The event, which was hosted by CEE-HOPE Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working with young people in marginalised communities, was in commemoration of the Black and Women’s History Month. Sponsored by the United States of America’s Embassy in Nigeris. The meeting attracted several stakeholders from within the community and beyond.
Dr. George, a former Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy in Nigeria, not only sensitised the residents on their voting rights and women empowerment, she sparked off conversation on the significance of citizens’ involvement in governance and the political processes, such as voting.
“The right to vote is very important. Your vote is your treasure house to your democracy. Democracy and education go together,” began Dr. George.
Recalling the pre-civil rights era in the USA where African Americans were disenfranchised and marginalised from governance and general decision-taking processes in their own country, the celebrated former diplomat of African-American descent and currently living in the USA urged Nigerians, particularly women to play active roles in governance and the electoral processes.
Her recollections ignited diverse questions from the residents who raised concerns over the political and leadership issues in the country, wondering “why Nigeria is not as the US where the votes of citizens count. To this, Dr. George remarked that even with the right to vote, the black population in the USA still faced a major huddle due to their then low literacy level. She, therefore, advised the younger generation present to take governance process.
She said: “Democracy, governance and education are interwoven. To the young ones, your education is your key to anywhere you want to go. Regardless of your situation now, focus on your studies, regardless of the barriers, do not be discouraged, you can change the world and you can raise a wonderful institution, like CEE-HOPE and make impact in the lives of several others.
“I know you love Nigeria. Stay and be involved in Nigeria’s affairs because the policies formed by government make a difference in government.”
Speaking on the influences of women to today’s America’s democracy and electoral process. she urged Makoko women at the event to get involved, stressing the importance of education of the girl-child to the development of the nation. She said: “The Black Women History Month is a time we use to acknowledge the contributions of women. Women had to fight to vote and the right to stand for office and like black men; they began to influence lives of that community. Even today, they continue to create opportunities for all of us to share the wealth we hope to create. Especially to the girl-child, education is essential because if you educate a boy, you educate an individual, when you educate a woman you educate a nation.”
Moved by the diplomat’s words, a Lotto agent, Mrs. Olabisi Odusola, asked: “Can a woman become president?”
Dr. George, who attracted several awards and recognition in the course of her long duty post in Nigeria, including the traditional title of Yeye Araba of Ife, responded: “I believe it is possible. In America, we have a major candidate, she’s Senator Elizabeth Warren.
“But how do we know the right person?” Mrs. Odusola further asked.
The American former diplomat reiterated that “Governance is too important to be left in the hands of a selected few. All and sundry should play effective roles in governance either by voting or by being voted for.”
Emmanuel Agunze, Founder, Makoko Dream School and a Nelson Mandela Washington Fellow, noted that one of the reasons for the decline in participation in governance at the grassroots is because of the challenges that are encountered during the voting process.
He noted that the process of securing voters’ card, poor facilities at voting centres and violence are some of the many reasons people, most especially women have been discouraged to vote.
A community leader, Mr. Agbodemu Ishola Musbau, said so many Nigerians are responsible for voting wrong persons into power because they are rather satisfied to vote for persons who would induce them with money and food items than to vote for those who would serve genuinely.
The event attracted several local chiefs from across Makoko as well as women leaders, youth leaders, pupils from the Diaspora School and the Makoko Dream School, both in Makoko.
While commending CEE-HOPE for the programme, one of the local chiefs, Chief Albert Ayide (aka Baale Jeje), described it as “very enlightening and asked for a repeat of such for more enlightenment”. He, however, noted that despite the efforts of their community members to participate in governance by voting for people they believed were suitable, but lamented that they are not getting the dividends of good governance. He also called for educational support, lending more support to the ongoing work of CEE-HOPE in the community, in addition to programmes that would empower women.
Other chiefs present include Alase Agoyon Francis, Baale Shemede Emmanuel, Baale Panke Victor, Oluwo of Makoko Olaiya, Aji Steven and the immediate host, Chief Adewale Akintimehin (aka Alfa). There were also officials from the USA Embassy in Lagos.
A Board of Trustees member of CEE-HOPE Nigeria and veteran journalist, Lekan Otufodunrin, appreciated the guest speaker for choosing CEE-HOPE and Makoko for the programme.
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