5TH TREK AFRICA AWARDS AND NATIONAL DISCOURSE HOLDS IN LAGOS
by Abayomi Oyelami
Trek Africa Newspaper Unveiled during the 5th edition, Trek Africa Awards and National Discourse at Ikeja, Lagos
It was an evening of robust discussion, information, entertainment, glitz and glamour at the recently concluded 5th Trek Awards and National Discourse themed: ‘Curbing the Twin Bottleneck of Vote Buying and Voter Apathy’ held in Ikeja, Lagos. The theme of the event was specially chosen to coincide with the political euphoria in the nation due to the imminent 2019 general elections. The elections which is just few months away comes with mounting expectations among the electorates. The entire citizenry cannot but desire more dividends of democracy but that will only be made possible with the conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections.
Here is a blow-by-blow account of the activities of the day.
WELCOME ADDRESS
(as presented by Mr. Oki Samson, Project Director, McKinggs Media Productions, Publishers of Trek Africa Newspaper)
All protocols observed.
You are welcome to the 5th edition of Trek Africa Awards and National Discourse themed: 2019 elections: Curbing the twin bottleneck of Vote-buying and Voter Apathy.
As Nigerians march to the polls again to choose her leaders in February 2019, it is important that we discuss two major evils that have hindered the success of elections in the country.
The statistics of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the 2015 elections show that of over 67 million voters that registered, only 28million actually voted, leaving a deficit of more than 35 million citizens who registered but didnt vote at the 2015 polls. Vote buying is another issue that has always been part of the polity, but was too glaring at the recently concluded guber polls in Ekiti and Osun states.
This is a startling fact. We cannot continue like this. If Nigeria will make progress as a democratic nation, 2019 elections will be a good starting point.
I close with these words: ‘Bad leaders are elected by good followers who did not vote’.
You are welcome!
PANEL DISCUSSION
The theme of the event, Curbing the Twin Bottleneck of Vote Buying and Voter Apathy was thoroughly discussed by a panel which consisted Ms. Novo Isioro, the Special Assistant on Visual Communication and Personal Photographer to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Prophet Segun Olumegbon, the Founder of Church of Christ and Evangelical Mission; and Mr. Adewale Ogunniran who was ably represented Mr. Hakeem Bello the Special Adviser on Communications to the Honourable Minister of Works, Power and Housing and was moderated by Louisa Olaniyi, On-Air Personality and Host at Rave TV.
Mr. Adewale Ogunniran said it is very possible to hold credible, free and fair elections in Nigeria but Nigerians should not expect politicians to do that just out of necessity. He said: ‘It is not possible for politicians to conduct free and fair elections going by the money invested in the process. It is only the Independent National Electoral Commission that can do so’.
While commending the electoral umpire for the giant strides taken so far, he asked them to do more and charged Nigerians to support the agency. ‘One good thing that INEC has done so far is to demand to look into the finances of each political party. Nigerians should support this body to be successful. It is to our best interest that they succeed.’
In the same forum, Ms. Novo Isioro advised youths to take the 2019 elections seriously stating: ‘You should know that you are not helping anybody by participating actively in the elections, you are helping yourself. Let every youth know that any decision that is made is coming back to us. We cannot keep complaining and do nothing and expect better.’
Prophet Segun Olumegbon asked the electoral umpire to have robust enlightenment and engagement with the citizens so as to ensure the success of the elections. His words, ‘Education should come from the grassroots in order to build the political structure of the country. When people are politically educated, they can make informed decisions which will improve the politics and economy of the nation.’
The event also had the honour of hosting the accomplished Otunba Dipo Onabanjo, who is a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Administrators of England and Wales. The seasoned public administrator reputed to have worked over 40 years at the Presidency went down memory lane to the days of Action Group (AG), National Party of Nigeria (NPN), NCNC and opined ‘I don’t know why we have so many parties.
UNVEILING OF NEW ‘TREK AFRICA NEWSPAPER’
During the event, the first edition of ‘Trek Africa, a newspaper which boasts itself as the leading light in business and governance was unveiled. The newspaper will be published on a weekly basis and hit the news stand every Monday starting from 29th October, 2018.
The tabloid will cover feature stories, interviews and news from the fields of politics and governance, health and wellness, business and economy, entrepreneurship and enterprise development, arts, culture and entertainment.
SPECIAL AWARDS CEREMONY
A special awards ceremony was held to honour deserving personalities who had done exceedingly well in their various areas of endeavour within the year in review. The press release by the organizers stated: ‘The ceremony is expected to be in a class of its own as eminent Nigerians, captains of industry, government officials, other African personalities, and members of the press will be in attendance at the awards.’ The large array of personalities were nominated for the awards based on their exemplary lifestyles and individual contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.
The awardees includes: Chief Dele Momodu, Chairman, Ovation Media Group; Mr. Hakeem Bello, the Special Adviser on Communications to the Honourable Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola; Ms. Novo Isioro, the Special Assistant on Visual Communication and Personal Photographer to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Mrs. Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government; Prophet Segun Olumegbon, the Founder of Church of Christ and Evangelical Mission; Chief Teju Phillips, Hon. Babatunde Sofola, Chairman, Kosofe Local Government, Hon. Moshood Salvador; APC Chieftain, Mrs. Tina Vigor-Quarshire; Director, Wema Bank Plc, Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa; Corporate Affairs Manager; Dana Airline, Louisa Olaniyi, On-Air Personality and Rave TV host; Oluseye Olofin; amongst others.
ENTERTAINMENT
The evening was not all talk and more talk about politics, it was also packed with fun and entertainment. The kid entertainer, Oziomachukwu Favour Mojekwu, popularly called Ozzybee dazzled the audience to his new single. The wonderkid alongside his friends did the trending shaku shaku dance with so much ease to the admiration and applause of everyone present at the event. His amazing performance was followed by the solo rendition of a diva who marvelled the audience with her soprano voice.
The event ended on a high with good music, dance, and laughter.
