Evangelist Chioma Adedayo Adeoye, is poised to raise political
consciousness among the electorate with her organization, National Women
in Support of Good Governance (NWSGG), an NGO, she set up to educate
Nigerians on the need to carry out their civic responsibilities of
voting as well as standing for elections.
According to her, the organization was founded, following a
research mthey carried out on why some Nigerians show apathy towards
voting on election days.
What is National Women in Support of Good Governance all about?
It is an NGO that comprises women from various backgrounds, with a
view to taking Nigerians to higher political awareness, by going to
market places and the grassroots to educate people on the need to
exercise their civic responsibilities, including how to vote and be
voted for.
From our research, we found out that majority of Nigerians who have
voters cards do not go to vote on election days. Others are also
confused over whom to follow and they ended up following anybody without
personal conviction on the reasons for following such people. The
reason some of them don’t go out to vote is the mindset that the winners
of the election had been pre-determined given the Nigerian factor and
so, their votes, according to them, may not count or make any meaningful
difference.
We educate them on such issues, letting them know that such mindset
is wrong. More so, by staying at home and not going to cast their votes
also compound their position, as they end up complaining about poor
governance at every level. We also try to enlighten them on the dangers
of just following anybody, and that the people they want to follow must
be judged by their antecedents. They must have impeccable backgrounds
and have missions that are verifiable. They should not judge the people
they want to follow based on the wealth they flaunt. We are gradually
changing the culture..
Is this group open to every woman or just the elite?
No, it is not exclusive. It is open to every woman. Like I said, we go
to market places and we have people that represent us there. We are in
every village and town with followership. Membership is open to every
woman, inasmuch as you are ready to sacrifice your resources, which
include time and have your eyes set on our objectives, which is to
create political awareness and consciousness at the grassroots level.
Our members in the markets, villages and towns help to lessen the job
for us. For instance, in most markets, they usually have regular
meetings and any market that the leadership wants to visits, the members
there must have announced our arrival. We do not only meet with the
women. Men are also carried along. Our members in towns and village are
doing great mobilization jobs.
We have to find out what they think about government and governance
and their reaction, is where our work of enlightenment begins.
Can you tell us what your experiences have been?
About four years ago, I was personally involved in campaigning for a
politician. In this vein, we went to various markets including Alaba
International market, I found out that majority of people you would have
taken for granted for knowing what to do and whom to follow, didn’t
know much. Most of them believed that because this man is supporting
candidate A, he too, should follow the same candidate, or Mr. B is
coming out because he has money then you follow not because of what he
has to offer. In the fullness of time, you found out that these people
whom they are following have nothing to offer. We also found out that a
good number of people follow certain candidates because they want to get
monetary rewards.
This group is easily bought over. However, we made them to know that
the bag of rice, the money they would get cannot add value to their
lives, that anybody giving them money with one hand is hiding gun or
knife with the other hand. After voting for him, he would start cutting
your hands to get back the money or rice he had given you.
What do you see as challenges in the course of doing this job?
Mobility is a great challenge. From our interaction with the members, we
discover their various needs and start attending to them as your
personal resources can carry. Just like it is done in the Christendom,
as an evangelist, I go out and meet people and I cannot leave seeing
their pressing needs, so also is this our organization. It is not a
must, but when you are faced with this kind of situation, you don’t do
otherwise.
Financing the organization is not easy. Our membership is very huge,
and on daily basis people are joining and the numerical strength keeps
growing.
Apart from creating political awareness, we are involved in offering
medical aids, as we get doctors to carry out various treatments. By the
time, you do this in one market, it is very expensive. You budget to
give free treatment to about 400 people and you end up having over
3,000. It is not only for the women; the men and children are included.
What is the source of your funding?
Presently, it is personally funded. Maybe, at times, some members may provide vehicles when we go for mobilization.
The rate at which the organization is growing, will it not be much a burden to you?
Yes, it is a burden. It is something I enjoyed. However, it came to a
point where some people thought that we were getting funds from some
place, but when they realized there was nothing like that, some of them
left, while, others remained because they believed in what we are doing.
Many people are tired of hearing stories. You have to be involved by
knowing what is happening in your country. We met some women who felt
that they have what it takes to stand for elections but didn’t have the
courage, and we encouraged them. In some cases, we contributed money to
them and they are doing very well. Moral support is even, good enough
for them to come out and make a change
Are you satisfied with the level of women’s involvement in Nigerian politics?
The level of women involvement in corrupt practices is minimal. We
should be encouraged by giving the women more chances in politics. If we
have more women, we would have a noticeable development in the country.
You were at the Igbo Day held recently in Lagos, what is your view given your mobilization for the event?
I am proud to identify with my people. It was said that the Igbos
cannot speak with one voice, but it has changed as they now speak with
one voice. Politically, there has been great awareness and they now know
what they want. It still doesn’t mean that they are no more detractors,
but from all the meetings I have attended with Ohanaeze and other
groups, the Igbo race is doing fine. The Igbo Day held recently
witnessed a great crowd. I appreciate the leadership of Barr Fabian
Onwughalu. He has changed the whole system and I am proud of my Igbo
ancestry
What is your expectation in the 2015 elections?
There has been some noise in many quarters that President Jonathan
should not come out. Why not? He has done well. Although, he may not be
there yet, but he is trying and would get there so, we should give him
the chance. He is a Nigerian and it is wrong for anybody to try and stop
him if he so desires to come out. The insecurity in the country is
meant to distract him. Everybody has his method of doing things. He is
an academician and so, calculates his steps and at the end of the day,
he gets it right.
What is your message for Nigerians?
I believe everything is achievable but would take collective efforts. We
should stop blaming President Jonathan for everything. Security issues
in Nigeria, today, for example, should be everybody’s concern.
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