By; GIFT OMOKORE, Kaduna
Iaugural Meeting of Grassroots Ambassadors was held at DeHeaven Suits in Kaduna on the 3rd September, 2021.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Amb Richard Augustine. (Convener) and Comr Obinnag Ikemenogo (Secretary), which said that the meeting started by 12:00 pm with the second stanza of the National Anthem as prayer.
In attendance were critical stakeholders at the grassroots from across the country.
Also in attendance, were observers from civil societies and NGO’s.
The convener, Amb. Richard Augustine Adie started by introducing himself and members of the High table and also gave room to everyone to introduce themselves, in his opening remarks, he welcome everyone and appreciated them for the sacrifices to attend this August occasion and firstly inaugural meeting, he assured every member of transparency accessibility, openness in every dealings of grassroot ambassadors and urge every member to show commitment to the struggle ahead.
Engineer Bola Aina who is also a co-converter of the grassroots ambassadors gave his remarks and explained further the dealings and doings of the grassroot ambassadors, he emphasized the need for the movement to be strategic especially in its media activities and that the committee that will be in charge of Media must think and work outside of the box in producing content that are universally and generally convincing and acceptable for jingles and or campaigns.
He also emphasized the need for zonal and state coordinators to be officially inaugurated to enable activities and structure to cascade down to the grassroots.
He concluded with reaffirmation to every member that a coordinated support will be given to the platform and every member will be giving equal opportunity and space base on the commitments and result of the grassroot ambassadors.
The convener read the meeting agenda which include formation of committees such as (a.) Media committee (b.) Contacts and mobilization committee, also on the agenda is matters arising and prospect of the Platform.
At the commencement of deliberation, Mr obinna Ikemenogo was nominated by the convener to act as interim secretary.
Bishop David Kings who spoke first among the stakeholders encouraged the house to have a regalia example a Polo or a chest tag to make publicity easy and available for every member in The interim.
The convener also in his remarks, affirmed that the main reason for the meeting is to form a cluster and a network of members physically meeting because the tasks ahead will be based on commitment, trust and loyalty to the platform he also urge all the members to as a matter of importance put very strong effort in the formation of the structure and to shun political party participation because the structure Grassroots Ambassadors has no political affiliation.
This is a platform that strictly advocates and mobilizes the people at the grassroots for the purpose of good governance as the name implies, Grassroot Ambassador’s.
In the formation of the committee, Mr Peter who is an IT engineer was nominated by the house to chair the committee with two other members as part of the committee, who are; Mr Obinna and Rev Bishop David Kings.
Also, a committee for contact and mobilization was also inaugurated chaired by Bishop David King with a few other members as part of the committee even though the house generally agreed that it will be left open for the next meeting to enable a broad participation of all the members in that committee.
Mrs Uju Unwa was also nominated as the woman leader and member of the contact and mobilization committee to be joined by Haj. Dr. Mrs Hajara from the Muslim community.
The media committee was urged to begin work immediately.
The convener, Richard Augustine emphasized the need for members to always respect time and to be conscious of their next meeting.
Mr. ABDULLAHI Ahmed Rufai, a politician who attended the meeting to observe proceedings, assured members of no threat from any external force and encouraged them to be committed as every commitment will be beneficial.
He also advised the body to be cautious, especially in formation of committees and assigning responsibilities, which he said, should be given to members with capacity to deliver results.
Mr Jonathan who is also a stakeholder, in his remarks, urged every member to forget the past and not to be making references to other platforms which have abandoned or betrayed some of them.
He charged everyone to develop interest in the mission and vision of the platform to see a way of building the platform to the achieve desired results.
The motion for adjournment of the meeting was moved by Comr. Iliya Emmanuel and was seconded by Comrade Nathaniel Agada and the next meeting is scheduled for the 14th of November 2021 in Abuja.
The convener in his closing remarks, thanked every member for their time and for having a successful meeting and prayed that every member who is traveling out of the state will get to their respective homes safely.
He assured members that at the next meeting in Abuja, the platform will be officially briefed about the National secretariat office in Abuja where all activities shall be coordinated.
Finally, he informed the house that at the next meeting, zonal coordinators shall be inaugurated to fasttrack the activities of the house to every geopolitical zone of the country.
The meeting ended with a closing prayer by Bishop David Kings at 2:45 p.m.
