The Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Atedo Peterside has added his weight to the campaign to mobilise Nigerians of voting age to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ensure the collection of their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC).
Peterside, who is also President and Founder of Anap Foundation, made the patriotic call ahead of the last phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which commences on Monday.
Peterside’s plea coincides with the public enlightenment campaign themed GoNigeria, an advocacy campaign to encourage the participation of Nigerian youths in the electoral process.
The CVR exercise that resumes at INEC’s state and local government area offices on 11th April is the last before the 2023 general elections, which kicks off with the Presidential and National Assembly on 25th February. Registration areas/ward collation centres will also be used for the exercise that is scheduled to end by 30th June.
Renowned for spearheading various humanitarian and leadership causes over the years, Peterside, an astute investment banker, economist and entrepreneur, explained that his vigorous campaign for mass involvement in the political system is anchored on the reality that the economy and politics are inseparable.
He said he is particularly interested in youth mobilisation because that demographic group constitutes over 60 percent of the voting population, explaining that their direct involvement in the 2023 general elections is pivotal to reshaping the country’s political destiny and economic turn-around.
GoNigeria is an initiative of Anap Foundation, a non-profit organisation which is committed to promoting good governance through its GoNigeria Initiative. Anap Foundation has been partnering with advocates, as well as enlightened celebrities (GoAmbassadors), corporate bodies eager to support the Initiative via co-branding (GoPartners) as well as many enthusiastic young volunteers who will help to amplify the messaging to their age mates (GoVolunteers). The overall objective is to encourage Nigerian youths to register and vote en-masse in the 2023 general elections.
The 18 initial advocates of the GoNigeria Movement are drawn from all the six geopolitical zones with three from each zone. They include: Peterside (Convener), Aisha Yesufu, Nuruddeen Lemu, Dike Chukwumerije, Folarin Falana (well known as Falz), Bishop Matthew Hassan-Kukah and Arunma Oteh.
Others are: Hamzat Lawal, Tomiwa Aladekomo, Osita Chidoka, Dr Tony Rapu, ‘Yemi Adamolekun, Muhammad Ali Pate, Muhammad Sanusi II, Dr Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Ayisha Osori and Ibrahim Dahiru Waziri.
