Conference. In this interview she relives her
experience at the conference so far.
You are the youngest delegate at the National Conference. Can we get to know you?
I am a Nigerian from Nigeria but I was born and brought up in Borno State.
Where were you before this conference?
I have lived much of my life in Borno State.
Where did you school?
I went to the University of Maiduguri.
What course did you study?
I studied Environmental Biology.
Have you undergone the one-year National Youth Service?
Yes. In which of the states did you serve? I served in Kaduna State and I am currently working with one of Nigeria’s commissions, name withheld (laughter).
How were you nominated?
Well, I was nominated by …. I don’t know. I just found my name on the list.
What are your impressions of this conference?
The National Conference is entirely another world. But then coming here, I’m learning. It’s been quite an experience and I’m glad to be here.
There is not much to say because we have not started serious business. We have not broken into committees yet and so I do not have much to say about the conference.
Do you see this conference coming out with recommendations that could take Nigeria out of its present predicament?
Yea. I’m certain that there would be good recommendations. But we hope that our recommendations would be implemented because that has been a major obstacle in this country.
Could you throw light on one of your presentations at the plenary?
Well, I basically said that I am a Nigerian from Nigeria. I just turned 24 years old and I lost my dad exactly a year today (last Monday).
For all the years he lived, he was always preaching to us that whether you are Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa or whatever tribe you are, we are all one. He also said that whether you are Muslim or Christian, we are all one.
So this is the kind of background I grew up in and I feel that every Nigerian is a part of me and every Nigerian is for me.\
So, I find it very sad that some of the delegates are actually talking about religion, region and ethnicity.
It breaks my heart as a young person but then we have common enemies like poverty, corruption, insecurity and a host of others and the more space we give between ourselves, the more space we give these common enemies to grow among us.
So we have to form an army of united Nigerians to fight these common enemies.
When last did you visit Maiduguri?
Some four weeks ago.
How was Maiduguri before the current security challenges?
Maiduguri, as the slogan says, Home of Peace was actually peaceful. It breaks my heart Mandara and that of every Borno person. It is really sad about what is happening. It was really the home of peace before now.
Do you feel a sense of insecurity whenever you visit home?
Yes. Of course making the journey especially now that there is no flight to Maiduguri, I feel very unsafe. But with prayers and everything, we thank God.
Are you discouraged about Nigeria with what is going on in the North-East?
I am actually very sad about what is happening. I actually speak my mind on different online platforms and other places. I am so bitter about what is happening in Nigeria, especially the insecurity aspect.
This is causing serious problems in my state in terms of its economy. I am really sad. But then when I got this nomination, I said to myself that instead of sitting back and talking about the problems alone, why not go in there and try and see if collectively we can proffer solutions to the problems? That’s basically why I am here.
There have been speculations that since your nomination many young men have been flocking round you like gold diggers, wanting to have a share of your allowances. How true is this?
Well, I don’t know about that. Sincerely, I just read it in the newspapers. But I don’t know about gold diggers
. Are you married?
I am not married. Are you planning to settle down soon? What sort of question is this? Of course!
Who is the lucky man?
Name withheld. Thank you.
Are you a Christian or Muslim?
I’m a Muslim.
The conference has been on for about three weeks and you have seen it all. So what are your impressions of the conference?
Well, I haven’t seen it all because we have not broken into committees. No serious matter has been discussed so generally I wouldn’t say anything about the conference for now.
You have become an instant millionaire by participating in this conference. How do you intend to spend your allowances?
Actually, I am proposing to start a foundation for the vulnerable women and children in Borno State. I have already commenced the process of registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission and hopefully the name would soon be out.
Have you lost any dear one in this insurgency crisis in your state?
I have lost a lot of dear ones. I have lost about five relatives.
Which of these losses has been most painful to you?
All of them have been very painful. These are my relatives. I lost my aunt’s husband, my cousin’s husband and so on. These are people with young children below the age of five.
From your own assessment as an indigene of Borno State, what is really the cause of this Boko Haram crisis?
Actually, I can’t tell. But really the problem is that nobody knows what the problem is. But so many people would say that it was caused by unemployment and poverty. So I think it is poverty. It is glaring that there is poverty in that region.
Source: New Telegraph
No comments:
Post a Comment