Atere Olaoluwa Akindotun is the Head of Voter Education & Mobilisation at The Rotimi Victor Rhodes-Vivour Youth Empowerment Foundation. In this interview with OPEYEMI BABALOLA, he spoke on the Foundation’s far-reaching political sensitisation and awareness programmes among youths in Lagos state, and why they must vote Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the state governor and Nigerian President respectively. He also spoke on its social intervention programmes aimed at improving lives. 

Could you give some insight into your background and the schools you attended? 

My name is Atere Olaoluwa Akindotun. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Leadcity University, and an M.Sc in Strategic Management from Babcock University and I am a professional member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM) and Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN). Aside from being the Head of Voter Education and Mobilisation at the Rotimi Victor Rhodes-Vivour Youth Empowerment Foundation, I am also an insurance consultant and risk advisor.

[ad]

What spurred your interest in politics? 

I have always been attracted to news and political debates. I recall that my Dad always forced us to listen to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) news as children and asked us questions afterward. And like our founder, Barrister Rotimi Rhodes-Vivour will always say, “If good people run away from politics, they will be forced to obey the law of the foolish.” 

I am also always of the opinion that for you to change the system, you have to be part of the system. Therefore, my political interest is people and development-oriented.

What are the objectives of the Rotimi Victor Rhodes-Vivour (RVRV) Youth Empowerment Foundation? And what is your assessment of its enlightenment campaign?

First, let me categorically state that our objective is not political even though, as a non-government organisation (NGO), we can take a position on political issues.

The Foundation has done a lot in empowering the youth with knowledge and resources. We have come up with initiatives such as the RVRV Charity store to assist youths with mental health issues with job placement opportunities and scholarships; symposiums on child abuse, mental health, suicide, and drug addiction; and distribution of reusable sanitary pads to underserved women and girls to support best hygiene practices, among many others.

Our motto is empowering lives with integrity and humility; that is what we are focused on and passionate about.

[ad]

What is your assessment of the enlightenment campaign by the RVRV?

Though self-funded, the Foundation has recorded huge success over the years with its social intervention programmes, support for widows, and provision of start-up funds to entrepreneurs. From these interventions, we have had strings of testimonies from different classes of people across the country and beyond.

As the elections approach, what is your advice to voters in Lagos state? 

The RVRV Youth Empowerment Foundation has always advocated for good governance, first, by encouraging the youth to get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and exercise their constitutional rights. We have always encouraged the youth to vote for people with proven track records of achievement and developmental values.

It is our desire to make youths realise that we are the leaders of tomorrow not just in theory but also in practice. Our long-term goal is to mobilise for our youths’ actual takeover. This is why when the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill was presented, it was welcomed and approved with high hopes of our clear intent to take over leadership. Most of the youth, particularly the educated ones, just know how to complain about the present state of affairs without actually participating in the election process; that is, choosing their leaders. So, it is the goal of the foundation to ensure everyone gets their PVCs and fully participates in the forthcoming general elections.

On whom we would vote, we have identified governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as candidates with great strides in infrastructural and youth development and visible track records of performance. Lagos state today has experienced rapid growth economically and in terms of infrastructure. These developments we see today are ideas conceived by Tinubu. Without gainsaying, in his over 30 years of active political participation in Nigeria, Tinubu has, directly and indirectly, demonstrated the qualities of a good leader – directly through his active involvement in holding public offices, and indirectly through mentorship and nurturing of leaders in various strata of the Nigerian socio-political space.

We believe these two are presently the ones that can give the youths a shot at governance and a listening ear.

[ad]

What has informed the political sensitisation and awareness programmes by the RVRV? 

Carrying out political awareness and sensitisation programmes is just about doing the needful, most especially at this critical time in our nation. And it cannot be over emphasised.

We all as Nigerians want the best for our country; we also want a secured and economically stable country with good leadership so as to defeat poverty in the land. And so, it is necessary that awareness be done, most especially educating the voters.

We are determined to educate them on why and how to vote, things they should look out for when voting and how to guard their votes jealously. The youths are the key to unlocking the richness and productivity of this nation and sensitising them is our utmost priority.

We have identified that women and youths constitute over 70 per cent of voters according to INEC, and that’s why we have in recent times mobilised them, most especially at the grassroots, about the importance of PVC collection and why they should vote and exercise their right.

An example is the event that took place earlier this month in Lagos Island East local council, the political home of our founder where youths, market men, women and citizens were mobilised and encouraged to show interest and participate in the elections to ensure good governance in their overall interest.

We have also, through the use of I.T, reached out to the grassroots at least three times a week and educated them on the rights and responsibilities of voters. In fact, very soon, the Foundation is set to mobilise a very large number of youths and women in this regard. The execution of these mother-of-all rallies is, however, subject to the right sponsorship being obtained.

[ad unit=2]