Activista Nigeria

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Comment by NATURE UCHENNA OBIAKOR on August 10, 2011 at 8:26pm

In active organizing we build a collective spirit and the solidarity to confront the challenges of building society

A high point of the maiden edition of the Activista Monthly Forum tagged ‘the political garden’ a conscious effort at building a core of young conscious Nigerians who are capable of interrogating the socio-cultural, political and economic context in which they exist.

Conceived as a model for political education, organizing and mobilising for Activista Nigeria, 30^th July 2011 marked the beginning of a process to harness the energy and knowledge of young people, project their voice and give them a space. The consistency of the August rains had shown its face earlier and hoisted a cloud over the garden but as Nature put it ‘the best way to start is to start’ and this provided the impetus for us to enjoy the green scenery, the cloud, the knowledge and the possibilities of the space.

The political garden was held at the Crystal Garden in Area 8, Garki, Abuja. With 30 young people in the space, some coming in contact with the Activista space for the first time, the responsibility for introducing Activista was undertaken by Nature Uchenna Obiakor, an Activista Core Volunteer, capturing aptly the whole idea of Activista as a formation of youth activists – organizations, alliances, individuals and others that share the vision of poverty eradication and committing themselves to work with ActionAid Nigeria on major campaigns such as HungerFREE, Right to Food, while also taking actions to engender youth participation in governance and its processes

The discuss of the day on Youth organizing, provided a fresh insight into youth organizing in the past, young people provided the organizing and knowledge upon which broader societal struggles where hinged on, so the most important thing for Activista and the Political Garden would be to provide a basis for rekindling an organizing platform. This was the key message by Comrade Jaiye Gaskiya, one of the key figures of the students movement in the late 80s and of the democracy movement in the 90s.

A largely participatory and analysis driven discuss, the political garden reiterated is hinged on its ability to be active, the garden must be seen to be producing fruits and this must be based on collective action. Drawing an analogy of the Arab Uprising and the role young people are taking and took in the various revolutions, the conclusions was that it was possible to effect change but this is only possible when we put in place the requisite organizing, activities for solidarity and bonding to build a collective spirit for struggle.

Knowledge was reined in as a key driver for change; Activista has a responsibility to build an organizing that is hinged on knowledge sharing and generation to build alternatives, this was analysed by the group as one of the failings of the Arab uprising; an opportunity without a clear cut focus and the result; smart elites from the ruling class who jump off the sinking regimes to fill the void of leadership in the struggles.

The platform it was agreed must be built within the realities of our world today with the expanding possibilities and frontiers of Information technology that provides a virile ground to reach out, mobilize and rein in ideas across board from the large constituency of social media users

The political garden and its gardeners committed themselves to building the platform, the idea they believe is one whose time has come, promising to volunteer skills, talents and ideas that will blossom the garden and take organizing to Nigerian youths. The group envisages challenges but also the wherewithal and sacrifice to surmount those challenges which would only be stepping stones for the group.  

The Political Garden reconvenes on the 27^th August 2011 at same venue. The Political gardeners are bringing in more gardeners for Activista to plant the seeds for “Youth Solidarity”

Lest I forget, come ready to crack your ribs, the house was fun with plenty of laughter, Ghana Must Go, was the comedian in the house.

Connect with activista on www.myactivista.org



Comment by David Habba on May 31, 2011 at 1:00am

Todays has been really interesting here at the south regional forum of activista Nigeria. Deep things we discussed and more. Very interesting is that we all believe that Change is possible. 23 young persons gathered. ACTIVISTA Naija ROCKS

Comment by David Habba on May 29, 2011 at 10:16pm

From Makurdi, Enugu, Maiduguri, Ondo, Kwara, Lagos, the FCT and more, we arrive Benin City for the activista forum, its a good get together again and its fun here in Benin.  We are looking forward to three days of engagments, discussion and planning... Watch out oh people.

Comment by David Habba on May 19, 2011 at 3:19pm

Esther Good work!

Comment by Achinge Estee. on May 19, 2011 at 1:34pm

Activistas fight Landgrabbing in Tanzania. check how here

Comment by David Habba on April 27, 2011 at 7:03pm

Soo much action. Can we keep the reports coming in. send to famadcontent@yahoo.com and please copy me dhabba@gmail.com.

 

Comment by Idorenyin Edet on April 27, 2011 at 8:15am

Hey man, that's great. Hope the knowledge can be transformed to ACTION. Up with justice, down with hunger!

Comment by Achinge Estee. on April 26, 2011 at 10:17am

congratulations to you, Nature, that is good news.

Comment by NATURE UCHENNA OBIAKOR on April 26, 2011 at 12:12am

Thank God for making it possible for me to graduate from the International Leaders Training Seminar today here in Copenhegan at MS Denmark i really feel empowered

Comment by Achinge Estee. on April 8, 2011 at 5:41pm

Hello guys, you can find out what is happening here at the Global change platform in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as we begin our campaign on Landgrabbing. Follow our blog on, http:\\dontsellourfuture.wordpress.com or our facebook page on dontsellourfuture as id and Landgrabbing with a capital L as password. Please, send us your comments, we cant wait to know what you think.

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