HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS

Why get involved in politics, some may ask? 

Politics is a dirty game no doubt, but that is only because most people with genuine altruistic intentions are often too afraid to get involved lest they themselves be hurt, tarnished, or worse.

Politics of violence, non-tolerance, character assassination, money-mongering is now the order of the day. Nigeria is in such abject shambles today mainly because unprincipled actors are playing the stage. Absolute mediocres are having a field day playing kings and queens! Votes-for-cash has somehow been accepted as a norm.

To advocate any crusade against corruption is to invoke the wrath of the powers that be. We remain a nation devoid of conscience or any sense of duty. One can continue to lament over all these mishaps, or one can do something about it. And that is why me, you, and indeed every one of us should be actively involved in the political process.

1.	Join a group working on issues that are important to you. There are thousands of groups working on issues important to Nigerians. Some examples include these:
	Environmental groups working for clean air and water, wise use of our land and other natural resources, and preservation of wilderness areas. Religious groups advocating for inclusion of their values in public policy. Cultural and ethnic groups working on behalf of the needs of their communities. Social justice groups working to protect the rights of women, people living in poverty, children (born and unborn), and people with disabilities. Labour unions working on political issues and campaigns, especially those related to jobs, wages, and working conditions. Self-advocacy groups and disability advocacy groups working to empower persons with disabilities and bring disability issues to the attention of leaders and the public. Neighbourhood or community improvement groups working on issues important to the residents of a neighbourhood, town or city.
2.	Volunteer to help with a voter registration drive. Many of the groups listed above are also involved in helping as many people as possible get registered to vote and get to voting places. They often need volunteers to work at information tables at community events or go door-to-door helping people get registered to vote.
3.	Volunteer to work on a political candidate’s campaign. All people trying to be elected to public office need volunteers to work on their campaigns. People who are trying to get elected to school boards, city councils, state legislatures, the National Assembly, and those running for President all need people willing to help mail campaign materials to people, distribute campaign signs and fliers to homes, and call people to ask them to vote for the candidate.
4.	Let leaders know your views. When local, state or national leaders are making decisions about issues important to you, let them know how you want them to vote on the issue by writing, phoning, texting or e-mailing them. You can also share your views at public meetings such as city council meetings and government hearings about issues and laws.
5.	Invite leaders to talk about disability issues. Self-advocacy groups can sponsor public meetings in which people who are running for political office and people who are already in leadership in government are invited to talk about the issues important to people with disabilities.
6.	Participate in protest marches and rallies. This is very important. When large numbers of people feel strongly about an issue they may gather together to hold a march or rally to make their views known. This happens most often when people want to protest an action taken by the government at the local, state or national level as was done by the Save Nigeria Group. There are also rallies to support candidates for public office.
7.	Stay informed about issues affecting you and encourage others to stay informed. Staying informed includes attending the debates and speeches by candidates running for public office, listening to or watching news broadcasts, reading newspapers and organization newsletters, attending community meetings about issues, and talking with others.
8.	If you’re eligible to vote, vote! When there are elections, learn about candidates and issues, think about your values and needs, make sure you’re registered to vote and know where to vote, and vote for the candidates who best represent your views. credits: Transparency for Nigeria, Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack and the College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota.View more of Oraye's Notes on Facebook

THE 2009 ORAYE ST. FRANKLYN ALPHABETIC LIST OF WO/MEN OF NIGER DELTA ORIGIN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE REGION, NATIONALLY & GLOBALLY

Please note that the import of The Oraye St. Franklyn Alphabetic List is to recognise wo/men making a difference in the region as the basis for the inspiration of the coming generation of leaders in the Region. It does not seek to promote these individuals further from the reasons herein contained. IT IS NOT A POLITICAL LIST but a social re-engineering initiative of its author, Oraye St. Franklyn.

A.      ANNKIO BRIGGS, (President, AGAPE BIRTHRIGHT) for her consistent engagement of the Nigerian government on resolving the Niger Delta crisis.

B.      Coming soon.

C.      CHRIS OYAHKILOME, (President, Believers’ Loveworld Inc) for his effective ministry and global influence. He is regarded as the Region’s most influential global export.

D.     DIETE-SPIFF, ALFRED, (former governor of old Rivers State) for entrenching an all-time crest for good governance in the region and influencing the sustenance of peace in the region.

E.      EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN, (current Governor of Delta State) for establishing DESOPADEC a special interventionist agency to directly cater for the infrastructural and economic challenges of oil producing communities in Delta State.

F.      FREEDOM FIGHTERS IN THE REGION (from all camps and organisations) for helping to bring government’s attention to the deplorable state of living in the region and for accepting amnesty to allow for a resolution of the hydra-headed crises in the region.

G.      GODSWILL AKPABIO, (current Governor of Akwa Ibom) for noiselessly delivering quantifiable benefits of good governance to the people of Akwa Ibom State and for his role in resolving the child-witch brouhaha that had for years wasted the lives of innocent children in Akwa Ibom State.

H.     Coming soon

I.        IKPOBARI CELESTINE (of Social Action, an NGO) for his untiring efforts at mobilising Niger Deltans to strengthen good governance and amplify the voices of the voiceless. He is particularly recognised for his role in engaging residents of  Bundu Ama to publicly decry the slaughtering of their kinmen by forces loyal to the federal government on the 12^th of October, 2009.

J.        Coming soon

K.      Coming soon

L.       LULU-BRIGGS, O. B., for his inspiring philanthropy especially in support of better opportunities for the educationally, financially and physically-challenged in Society.

M.     MINA OGBANGA, for her inspiration and mentorship for young people in the region. She is particularly mentioned for the numerous testimonies of her positive impact by many young people.

N.      NIMI WALSON-JACK, (former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association) for his consistent advocacy and quantifiable contributions in entrenching good governance in Nigeria. He is also recognised for his positive influence on the young in the region.

O.      ORONTO DOUGLAS, for being the most-influential Niger delta political voice of reason on the internet. He is particularly recognised for rallying and engaging Nigerians both at home and Diaspora in resolving our many crises EVEN AT A TIME OF CRAVE HEALTH CHALLENGE and for his uncanny approach in handling critical issues.

P.      PRINCEWILL TONYE, for walking out on the Presidency as the Chair of the Niger Delta Sub Committee on VISION 20 20 20 20 20 20 in protest of government’s weak commitment in resolving the crises in the region.

Q.      QRIOUS (a youth-run initiative) for engaging young people across fronts in utilising their innate credentials for sustainable livelihood.

R.      ROTIMI AMAECHI, (current Governor of Rivers State) for inspiring boldness in our people across the region in defying the goons and seeking justice against unpardonable breaches regardless of how long it takes and for drawing an undeniable difference between effective governance and make-belief as is popular in Nigeria.

S.       SEIFA TOBI, for writing one of Nigeria’s most priced intellectual Political Manual: VISION 2015; A 10 YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR DELTA STATE, and inspiring hope in Deltans.

T.      TAMMY DAPPA MAPLE, for his consistent proactive engagement of Nigerians on and off the internet. He is recognised as the most-inspiring youth voice on facebook.

U.      UTOMI, PAT, for his consistently untiring engagement of Nigerians across all fronts in reforming Nigeria. He is particularly recognised as the Region’s brightest and most intellectually inspiring and accomplished minds.

V.      VERA LOTT IFIE, for employing video documentary to highlight the shameless conspiracy by government and the multinationals (especially SHELL PET. DEV. CO.) in flaring our precious gases and polluting our only environment. POISON FIRE is a MUST WATCH. www.poisonfire.org

W.   Coming soon

X.      coming soon

Y.      coming soon

Z.      ZOÉ, my daughter for inspiring me her father.

I ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO EMULATE THE PARTICULAR ACTIONS MENTIONED OF THE INDIVIDUALS, NOT THE ENTIRE LIFESTYLE AS OTHER RECORDS OF SOME INDIVIDUALS MAY CAST SOME DARK SHADOWS ON THEIR CREDIBILITY.