Co-founder of ‘Become Change Institute’, a presenter at Lagos Talks radio, a columnist on Vanguard, and a promoter of change for a better society, Ayodele Adio has dedicated himself to enlightening Nigerian youths on how to be a better leader in the face of various challenges that plague the country.
With this mandate to create change with every available platform, Ayodele Adio has written a book ‘The Odd One In’ that highlights his perception on national issues that affect the lives of Nigerians and on 10 Minutes with Vanguard Allure, Adio opens up about his book that will be launched on the 31st of
What’s your book about?
It is my take, from a critic’s standpoint, on pertinent national issues that affect the lives of Nigerians.
When did you decide to make your articles a collection and why?
When the new party took office in 2015, I made it a duty to hold them to the promises they made to Nigerians. I hence decided to publish a weekly opinion critiquing the actions and inactions of government both at a strategic and operational level.
What’s the purpose of the collection?
It is to drive and influence a new thinking from the people. You cannot demand what you are ignorant about; this collection will give many Nigerians the reason to demand more from elected government officials, and it is also supposed to make leaders a lot more accountable to the people.
. You’re all about creating change with your various works on different platforms, tell us about them, and how is that going?
Well, one of the platforms I am concentrating on presently is the “Leaders Mentoring Program”, held monthly. The platform creates an environment when top leaders in the corporate, academia and business will provide mentorship to young people by providing answers to the various questions life is putting before them. The mentors are carefully selected to give direction to these young people, and a large extent improves their competencies.
Do you think this book will face any obstacle by any political force considering what it is meant to do for/to the public and why?
I don’t think so, sadly, and you know why? Because these crops of leaders hardly care about what the people think, they look down on every one of us and consider critics like us ‘Wailers’. They consider us noise makers, and when we are tired, we will close shop.
. What do you think about the #Nottooyoungtorun bill and the clause of ‘independent candidacy’ into our electoral system?
I commend the tremendous work by the young people who campaign and lobbied for this bill to see the light of day. They have stayed at it for quite a while and I commend their courage and tenacity. However, I do not think it will prove a game changer just yet. Until the wider electoral issues like the monetization of the process, young people might still struggle to make in roads. As for the independent candidacy, I think it expands the political playing field and opens new windows of opportunities for people across board. Let’s only hope that it survives the state house of assemblies.
Do you think that the present political leaders are ready to let the youth into the government and do you think the youths are ready to lead?
Truth is considerably young people have always held political leadership. Donald Duke was governor at 36, Dimeji Bankole was speaker at about the same age, and a couple of others who were ministers in their late thirties. The truth is no one gives you Leadership you need to take it and for as long as we expect it to be given, it would always elude us.
I believe there are exceptional young people who already are holding their own across various industries, we only need to identify, encourage and support their political ambitions.
How accessible will this book be to the youths and how can it prepare them for leadership?
I intend to make it as accessible as possible. The one thing this book will do is to make you think, and once you learn the art of thinking differently, you develop a critical aspect of leadership.
. What and who influenced your kind of writings and beliefs?
First I got concerned about my country and its epileptic leadership overtime and needed to provide a counter narrative to the propaganda they spew. Writers like Muyiwa Adetiba, Dele Sobowale, Simon Kolawole, also had a great influence on me.
How do you deal with negative remarks and critics of your works and ideology?
I love healthy debates; I believe ideas should be scrutinised and debated and so when people criticise my works it somehow enables me to improve. Unfortunately, a lot of people, particularly government apologists, would rather abuse or insult than debate your ideas, this for me is a complete turn-off.
. Any words for the politically conscious youth who is confused about his path due to the present political reality in Nigeria?
First, they must never lose confidence in themselves. Youths should continue to build bridges, key relationships and must consistently engage with their core base or constituents.
How’s your regular 24hours like? (When you wake up, what you do and when you go to bed).
I wake up at 4 am, do a bit of reading, head out at 5:30 to the radio station to prepare for the morning news analysis show on Lagos talks alongside the veteran, Jimi Disu. After the program I retire to my office where I spend the day reading, writing and consulting for clients.
