Thread by @theplatformng

The first speaker at the platform is now live.
Dr. Charles Omole.

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

You can change systems, but you will still get the same outcome unless there is a change in citizen engagement. It is important for us not to focus on the system but on those who run it. - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'Systems are less important than the nature of the players managing them' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'Devolution of powers gets decision making closer to the people. In a democracy, that is not a bad thing. In theory, devolution of powers can be good.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'Any system, however good, can be corrupted by bad actors. So, there is no point changing a system if the players do not change. An unchanged people will make a mess of any system, regardless of its merit.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'Until we engage, simply advocating for a change of system will not make any difference.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'The issue is not the system, it is the nature of the people managing it.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'If people are not adequately educated and sensitized, the focus on discontent and distrust simply changes from Federal to State or Local government.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'True citizen participation does not exist if there is no periodic refreshing of leadership.
True citizenship participation is not reflected in how many people went out to vote,...

...it is reflected in the periodic refreshing of leaders.
' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'The easiest way to get involved in politics is at the local level. It is also the cheapest way.' - @DrCOmole

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#devolutionofpowers

'When you have a stagnant pool from which you pick your leaders, you do not have citizen participation.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'Those who did not make centralization work for the nation, if left in charge, will also make devolution unworkable. So, rather than purely canvassing for devolution,...

...we need to be canvassing to make sure the players do not remain the same people.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'Devolution of power does not automatically mean better governance. While it is a step in the right direction, it can still be a failure if the citizens do not see beyond headlines and embrace details.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'The youth of Nigeria today are so steep in headlines that they are not engaged in the nuances.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'We need to begin to see beyond the headlines. If we are to have devolution as a success in this country, we need to move beyond the headline culture and go into the details.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'Devolution of power requires and relies on competency and capacity at the lowest end of government. We need our best and brightest to seek to participate at the local level.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'Nigerians cannot claim to want devolution of power and, at the same time, concentrate all efforts and participation on national politics.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'Devolution of power is bringing power to the lowest level.' - @DrCOmole

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#devolutionofpowers

'It is not about devolution of power, but about the evolution of new kinds of people and ideas, at the local level.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'The drama around national politics is to distract people, so that the focus is there, while damage is done at the local level.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'If you play the politics of difference, it will percolate to the lowest level.' - @DrCOmole

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#devolutionofpowers

'Encourage infiltrators of the system and not discourage them. An all-outsider team cannot make a difference, you need insider knowledge if you are to change a system....

...No battle is ever won purely by outsiders. There must be insider collaborators.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

'The biggest challenge to change this country is in our civil service.' - @DrCOmole

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#devolutionofpowers

'Be careful to avoid the danger of a single narrative for a situation that has multiple directions.' - @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

- @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

- @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

- @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

- @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers

Dr. Charles Omole's Speech at the Platform Nigeria | May 2021



- @DrCOmole

#TheplatformNG #TheplatformNigeria
#devolutionofpowers