Saturday, November 27, 2010
My Camp Ribadu Experience
1:50 AM | 
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Team Ribadu
Camp Ribadu will go down memory lane as the most memorable events I have been privileged to take part in besides my wedding and my daughter’s birth. It was the first time I saw Nigerian youth from different geographical and political orientations come together for the sole purpose of making their country great again; all 400 of us with one goal and one purpose.
We had varying ideas of how we wanted to get things done, but the goal was the same; positive change for Nigeria. And we were clear on whom we wanted as the leader. He is Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Founding Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, a public officer of 25 years, an icon of humility and courage, an inspiration to the young and old, feared by the thieving in our country and loved by the vast majority of Nigerians who have seen the light.
While it was clear whom we wanted, we had to come together and strategize how to get our man elected as president come 2011. So, we headed to Abuja on September 17, 2010. There, at the campaign office in Abuja, a group of young Nigerians worked hard to make the hundreds us comfortable. This included registering people who were tired and irritable from their long trips, getting them dinner and driving them to their hotel rooms for the night. It was hard work but they did it well.
The following day was full of debates at the venue of the event, Reiz Continental Hotel, in Central Abuja. We all debated why Nigeria was at such a bad state. Our logics differed; however, we all agreed that the enthronement of good leadership is required to bring this to life. We agreed Ribadu was the right man for the job.
That night, the organizers distributed nicely branded T shirts with bore the Team Ribadu insignia- an opening bud, symbolizing freshness - and other materials and after much banter, everyone found their way to their hotel rooms.
Saturday morning came and again we converged at the hall. We were a sea of sky blue; with a splash of orange and white- almost everybody had worn their Team Ribadu shirt. After breakfast and some inspiration talk, the big moment came; Ribadu entered the hall.
The Dj slammed the ‘Stand Up for the Champion’ song by the British band, Right Said Fred. We did. We stood up for Nuhu Ribadu, who looked corruption in the eye and spat in its face. We stood up for the man for stood for humility, competence and integrity.
We applauded and sang for a true Nigeria that is strong in times of adversity. We displayed brilliance and intelligence rather than brash and clumsiness. We all stood, all of us, for the man we know will jump-start the era of progress that eludes our nation. We stood up for Champion Ribadu!
With our youthful strength, we carried him shoulders high and tossed him in the air. He laughed through it all; after all he was amongst his peers. He was ours and we his. He exemplified all we want in a leader, and possessed the humility to acknowledge youths. That was a moment I will never forget.
Although, visibly tired from a long trip, Ribadu inspired confidence in us. His voice was strong as he roared, “IT IS POSSIBLE!” over and again. He engraved those words on our hearts. He made known his intention to create a New Nigeria out of this deformed one.
“The time for positive and compete change has come!” Unlike other politicians, he didn’t bore us with long speeches,” He told us. “His words were brief and punchy.
So much needed his attention, but he had made time for us. Wearing his Team Ribadu jersey bearing Ribadu 1, he signed autographs, took photographs and shook every hand offered to him. His faces was lit with smile as he was driven away, like a man who just met a long lost friend and was looking forward to another meeting soon.
A little while later, Camp Ribadu came to an end and every other delegate was merry. Some went back to their hotels, others left immediately. That was it! No throwing around of money, no bribery and no bickering, much unlike other political gatherings in this country. Camp Ribadu taught us all that money politics in Nigeria could be gone forever.
It taught us that the anger and anguish we feel towards bad leadership transcended religion and tribalism. And most importantly, that we all share the hope of that Nigeria could be great again; that, indeed, A NEW NIGERIA IS POSSIBLE!!!!
By Gbenga Olorunpomi
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About Me
- Team Ribadu
- Team Ribadu is a youth driven, flagship volunteer movement for the Nuhu Ribadu 2011 presidential bid. It is “a political movement, founded in recognition of the legitimate thirst of Nigerian youth for a new kind of leadership marked by integrity and competence. It seeks to harness and support the tidal wave of young people, who are eager to get involved in the electoral process, in order to create political and social change”.
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