TheCable

Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has named Bukunmi Abraham as the winner of its ‘What Women Can Do’ competition. 

The competition, launched in July, was geared towards increasing women participation in governance.

At the final stage of the competition which took place virtually on Tuesday, Akin Fadeyi, AFF founder, told the contestants to see the opportunity as a platform to do great things.

“I will just say to all the contestants, a quote comes to mind — ‘I would rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all’,” he said.

“You are never too young or ever too old to be part of this. Let me use this opportunity to express gratitude to the contestants. Keep challenging yourselves, but most of all, don’t focus on this prize so the pressure will be less on you.

“Just focus on this fact — that we’ve offered you a platform for voice action and because this is being digitally broadcast. The whole world is seeing you and it will amaze you where this can get to.

“I know you’re ready with your A game but calm down, and I do wish you the very best.’’

Motunrayo Alaka, executive director, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, commended the organisers of the programme.

“This is a really laudable programme. I was impressed by the speakers. It is very inspiring to hear young people in Nigeria talk about solutions for Nigeria,” she said.

“I believe so much in Nigeria and I am very optimistic about the future of this country. But I also see that we spend more time pulling the country down than we spend building it.

“Such an initiative as this that AFF is spearheading is an act that builds the nation which we must invest more in. So, I would encourage everyone to do more things like this. We must all think about how to build Nigeria, how to make Nigeria better.”

Announcing the winners, Alaka said the competition was credible and transparent, adding that women are doing, and can still do, a lot as leaders in Nigeria.

In her winning presentation, Bukunmi said if she becomes the president of Nigeria, she will not tackle corruption as an isolated entity but as one which involves everyone and not just the government.

“‘People in power’ refers to every single person who is given the opportunity to do the right thing. But when given that opportunity and you choose to do otherwise, you are practising corruption,” she said.

“We have a system of government that allows for corruption to be prevalent. For over 20 years, we have lied to ourselves that we practise a sham called democracy. Upon research, I found kleptocracy more ideal to the Nigerian society, whereby leaders enrich themselves through government allocated funds at the expense of citizens.”

She said to overcome the challenges, the pillars of democracy need to be established, which include: sovereignty, the rule of law, checks and balances.

She added that when these are aligned, Nigeria can then function in the absence of corruption.

Bukunmi, who won an iPhone 13 Pro or its cash equivalent, appreciated AFF for the opportunity.

Other contestants who got monetary prizes include: Salawdeen Rafat, Oloye Rachael Aina, Chimadalu Nnene, Mariam Dauda Longe, and Oreoluwa Aladejuyigbe.