Junior Chambers International Team Embraces #VoteNotFight

As the 2015 elections draw near, the discussions about the election are not only holding in political parties’ meeting. Various groups of Nigerians are rightly concerned about the elections and what it would mean for the country. The Junior Chambers International, University of Ibadan Chapter on Friday 9th January, 2015 brought together Nigerians, mostly from the academia to x-ray the issues.

Titled ‘ The Nigeria of Our Dream: 2015 Elections as a Case Study’ , it was the 26th Annual Tunde Oshobi Public Forum. Chaired by Kunle Oyesanya (SAN) and Dr. Fola Akinosun, a politician as guest speaker, the audience listened to analysis on the election.

OneLife Initiative for Human Development, Oyo State partner on the #VoteNotFight project also made special appearance by pitching about the Vote Not Fight, Election No Be War campaign. ‘Sola Fagorusi, programmes manager of OneLife explained that the project was a partnership between the National Democratic Institute of the United States of America, the 2Face Idibia Foundation, Youngstars Foundation and 12 other partners which includes OneLife Initiative. He also explained to the audience how the group has been moving around Ibadan reaching out to influencers within both formal and informal circles.

‘We have spoken with members of the NURTW in Ibadan, we have had meetings with the leadership of the Sawmill Association and we are due to meet with members of Ibadan Spare Part Dealers Association at Gate in the coming days’, he explained.

‘Our message is simple, go and register to vote. It is a duty you owe Nigeria and encourage people around you to also vote. Also ensure that you abstain from violence before, during and after the election. People who cause violence are members of our society.  They are our brothers and sisters. Let us talk to them. Election is a civil affair not not a war exercise.’

A #VoteNotFight T-shirt was presented to Dr Fola Akinosun on behalf of the Campaign conveners and another was also presented to the President of JCI, University of Ibadan Chapter, Mr. Ogunmuko Tolulope. Both also carried the #VoteNotFight placard for a photo shoot.  Members of the audience signed up to the project by signing the pledge cards which were distributed to the audience.

Simon Fatoyinbo and Teni Angulu were part of OneLife Initiative’s team at the event. The campaign is available on www.votenotfight.org