Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
I am Comrade Mitchell Onyenekwe but popularly known and called Princess Mimi, I am a youth leader and former vice President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). And I also held different offices in NANs. I am the founder of Mitchelle youth for sustainable development; an NG0 into youth enlightenment and empowerment to teach youths how to be good citizens to themselves and the nation. We discourage youths against social vices and teach them how to use their talents positively.
What inspired you into activism?
I have been an activist right from my school days; during my secondary school days I was a class prefect and when I got to the university I joined NANS and that is how I have been progressing.
What did you study in school?
I read law from the University of Maiduguri but am not practising right now because of my passion for humanity that is why I set up an NGO where I can meet people and impact their lives positively the best way I can. I am happy I have come this far.
How do you feel seeing a town you schooled in taken over by terrorism?
It is quite unfortunate because I stayed there for long and I really enjoyed the place. I am from the Eastern part of the country but schooled in the North without any problems because Maiduguri used to be a safe place but unfortunately the stories we hear and what we see now is very discouraging. We must all join hands to ensure there is peace in the country; Youths are mostly used to perpetrate this evil acts and we must ensure constant enlightenment to discourage them from crime and other vices. Maiduguri was very safe we can walk freely even till 12 midnights those days but I don’t think it is so now and that is very unfortunate.
How would you assess government’s handling of terrorism in the country?
Government is trying its best in terms of tackling insecurity but they must also double up efforts. On the other hand we the citizens must support the government in this fight because they can’t do it alone.
What role can citizens play in the fight against terrorism?
We must be friendly to one another like in the old good days because it is so disheartening how ethnicity is now the order of the day. We are all Nigerians and must be there for each other, this fighting and killing of innocent people rather brings us down than build us a country. The adage “united we stand, divided we fall” was really embraced before but today people only think about themselves and don’t care what the other is going through. We should be friendly with one another irrespective of religion, ethnicity, etc.
You are aspiring for NYCN Presidential position why do you think you are fit for this position?
I am the only female amongst the 21 aspirants of the NYCN. I was actually called to contest for the position because I have been doing youth work. I have been running youth programmes and so I know the terrain I told you earlier that I was NANs vice President and I do organise leadership programmes for youths from school to school. It was from there that my fellow youths insisted I contest for this position because they know I have what it takes to be a youth leader.
Are you confident in winning this election?
I am very confident of winning this election because I have come a long way with youth work and I think I am better than most of my fellow aspirants who are only interested in the position just to make money because I have good leadership skills.
How does it feel being the only female aspirant?
It is not easy because Africa and Nigeria believe that a woman is only meant for the kitchen but I am coping because I am a very determined person and I don’t get intimidated.
How will you tackle the lingering crises of the Council if you emerge winner?
Everybody is aware of the crises but most of those who cause problems in the council are not the youths themselves. We all know the average age for a youth is 18-35 years. Unfortunately most of these people are above 35 years and most of them are party chairman, political jobbers, and businessmen amongst others. These people are not the real youths and when I come into office I will ensure that the real youths handle the affairs of the council
How will you ensure there are more women in the council when you emerge eventually?
Even before now I have been carrying females along though it has not been easy I always do enlighten them that they have a role to play in nation building and not just meant for the kitchen. A lot of women have talents and want to showcase it but the lack of encouragement make them withdraw back. When I become the council president I will ensure I constantly put up enlightenment programmes for women to be encouraged to be active in politics and the things around them.
Is NYCN political body?
NYCN is not a political body rather it is meant to build youths capacity for more tasking responsibilities, leadership positions and so on. That is why I say youths need constant encouragement both moral and financially because if you don’t encourage them positively someone else will encourage them negatively. The government, private bodies and individuals need to really encourage our youths by empowering them and I assure you that when youths gets the needed encouragement the country will be a better place for all.
Another President was purportedly elected by a faction of the NYCN. What would you say about his emergence?
I wouldn’t want to waste my time on irrelevant issues but I want you to know that there was no election whatsoever and there is no way an individual will just wake up and declare himself President of the youth council.
The youth council election is coming up on the 17th and 18th of September 2015 and by special grace of God a real winner will emerge.
Would you say the grassroots youths feel the impact of the Council?
Government cannot employ everybody at once that is why my agenda will be to empower youths through enlightenment programmes so they can think outside the box and make meaningful use of their time. Young people should even when you don’t have enough resources engage in small scale business and keep building their dream until they get to the level they desire in life.
Are you saying government is not taking care of youths?
They are not taking care of youths as they should. There is so much corruption in the country which by the grace of God the way things are now things will get better, but we are appealing to the government to do more.
Do you see the current administration carrying youths along?
I think so because from their manifesto and the moves they are taking now it would be better for youths because if corruption is tackled there would be enough money in the country, there will be jobs for young people and many other things will work well.
Unfortunately things are not working the way it should be now, we are hopeful for a better life and if am elected the council’s president I will ensure that youths will be encouraged to come to the council whenever they have problems they should have a place to run to because I believe they should have a voice.
Youths have been involved in terrorist activities for a while now, how will you support the fight against this when you become president?
My NGO have been doing that even though we don’t have enough encouragement so if am given the council portfolio as the President I will lay emphasis on information, education and constant enlightenment because some of them do not know the magnitude of evils they engage themselves in.
How do you manage all you have to do and the home front?
God is my strength, if you want to succeed you must be organised, know what your priorities are manage your time well. It’s not been easy but when you have passion to do a particular thing you just work hard without realising. All I am doing now is aimed towards building a better pace for my kids so, I manage my time by doing the right things at the right time. Women have been endowed with multi talents unlike men; we can work and still be there for our family.
Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
I am Comrade Mitchell Onyenekwe but popularly known and called Princess Mimi, I am a youth leader and former vice President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). And I also held different offices in NANs. I am the founder of Mitchelle youth for sustainable development; an NG0 into youth enlightenment and empowerment to teach youths how to be good citizens to themselves and the nation. We discourage youths against social vices and teach them how to use their talents positively.
What inspired you into activism?
I have been an activist right from my school days; during my secondary school days I was a class prefect and when I got to the university I joined NANS and that is how I have been progressing.
What did you study in school?
I read law from the University of Maiduguri but am not practising right now because of my passion for humanity that is why I set up an NGO where I can meet people and impact their lives positively the best way I can. I am happy I have come this far.
How do you feel seeing a town you schooled in taken over by terrorism?
It is quite unfortunate because I stayed there for long and I really enjoyed the place. I am from the Eastern part of the country but schooled in the North without any problems because Maiduguri used to be a safe place but unfortunately the stories we hear and what we see now is very discouraging. We must all join hands to ensure there is peace in the country; Youths are mostly used to perpetrate this evil acts and we must ensure constant enlightenment to discourage them from crime and other vices. Maiduguri was very safe we can walk freely even till 12 midnights those days but I don’t think it is so now and that is very unfortunate.
How would you assess government’s handling of terrorism in the country?
Government is trying its best in terms of tackling insecurity but they must also double up efforts. On the other hand we the citizens must support the government in this fight because they can’t do it alone.
What role can citizens play in the fight against terrorism?
We must be friendly to one another like in the old good days because it is so disheartening how ethnicity is now the order of the day. We are all Nigerians and must be there for each other, this fighting and killing of innocent people rather brings us down than build us a country. The adage “united we stand, divided we fall” was really embraced before but today people only think about themselves and don’t care what the other is going through. We should be friendly with one another irrespective of religion, ethnicity, etc.
You are aspiring for NYCN Presidential position why do you think you are fit for this position?
I am the only female amongst the 21 aspirants of the NYCN. I was actually called to contest for the position because I have been doing youth work. I have been running youth programmes and so I know the terrain I told you earlier that I was NANs vice President and I do organise leadership programmes for youths from school to school. It was from there that my fellow youths insisted I contest for this position because they know I have what it takes to be a youth leader.
Are you confident in winning this election?
I am very confident of winning this election because I have come a long way with youth work and I think I am better than most of my fellow aspirants who are only interested in the position just to make money because I have good leadership skills.
How does it feel being the only female aspirant?
It is not easy because Africa and Nigeria believe that a woman is only meant for the kitchen but I am coping because I am a very determined person and I don’t get intimidated.
How will you tackle the lingering crises of the Council if you emerge winner?
Everybody is aware of the crises but most of those who cause problems in the council are not the youths themselves. We all know the average age for a youth is 18-35 years. Unfortunately most of these people are above 35 years and most of them are party chairman, political jobbers, and businessmen amongst others. These people are not the real youths and when I come into office I will ensure that the real youths handle the affairs of the council
How will you ensure there are more women in the council when you emerge eventually?
Even before now I have been carrying females along though it has not been easy I always do enlighten them that they have a role to play in nation building and not just meant for the kitchen. A lot of women have talents and want to showcase it but the lack of encouragement make them withdraw back. When I become the council president I will ensure I constantly put up enlightenment programmes for women to be encouraged to be active in politics and the things around them.
Is NYCN political body?
NYCN is not a political body rather it is meant to build youths capacity for more tasking responsibilities, leadership positions and so on. That is why I say youths need constant encouragement both moral and financially because if you don’t encourage them positively someone else will encourage them negatively. The government, private bodies and individuals need to really encourage our youths by empowering them and I assure you that when youths gets the needed encouragement the country will be a better place for all.
Another President was purportedly elected by a faction of the NYCN. What would you say about his emergence?
I wouldn’t want to waste my time on irrelevant issues but I want you to know that there was no election whatsoever and there is no way an individual will just wake up and declare himself President of the youth council.
The youth council election is coming up on the 17th and 18th of September 2015 and by special grace of God a real winner will emerge.
Would you say the grassroots youths feel the impact of the Council?
Government cannot employ everybody at once that is why my agenda will be to empower youths through enlightenment programmes so they can think outside the box and make meaningful use of their time. Young people should even when you don’t have enough resources engage in small scale business and keep building their dream until they get to the level they desire in life.
Are you saying government is not taking care of youths?
They are not taking care of youths as they should. There is so much corruption in the country which by the grace of God the way things are now things will get better, but we are appealing to the government to do more.
Do you see the current administration carrying youths along?
I think so because from their manifesto and the moves they are taking now it would be better for youths because if corruption is tackled there would be enough money in the country, there will be jobs for young people and many other things will work well.
Unfortunately things are not working the way it should be now, we are hopeful for a better life and if am elected the council’s president I will ensure that youths will be encouraged to come to the council whenever they have problems they should have a place to run to because I believe they should have a voice.
Youths have been involved in terrorist activities for a while now, how will you support the fight against this when you become president?
My NGO have been doing that even though we don’t have enough encouragement so if am given the council portfolio as the President I will lay emphasis on information, education and constant enlightenment because some of them do not know the magnitude of evils they engage themselves in.
How do you manage all you have to do and the home front?
God is my strength, if you want to succeed you must be organised, know what your priorities are manage your time well. It’s not been easy but when you have passion to do a particular thing you just work hard without realising. All I am doing now is aimed towards building a better pace for my kids so, I manage my time by doing the right things at the right time. Women have been endowed with multi talents unlike men; we can work and still be there for our family.
What would you say you have achieved in life?
I have achieved a lot actually as a youth activist and I don’t know if I would be where I am today if am not a youth activist. Most importantly I put smiles on the faces of others and to me that is a great achievement.
Do you face any peculiar challenges as a woman especially as the only female NYCN aspirant?
There are challenges everyday but they make us stronger. The major challenge is that women have been stereotyped for so long, a man can meet influential people and take photographs with them and nobody sees anything wrong in that but when a woman do that people feel otherwise like you are loose, you are wayward and all that but when you build up your confidence and dignity and always do the right things you won’t feel any guilt because you are upright. It is very important to know yourself worth and coordinate yourself appropriately and people won’t have negative things to say about you.
Does your husband support your youth activism?
It is not that easy but he does his best and knows that it is something I have passion for so he does not stop me rather he encourages me that is why I am also soliciting support from well meaning Nigerians especially the youths to win this election because I will ensure not only youths are happy but every Nigerian as I will bring more ideas to the table especially in terms of creativity so many people can excel.
I have achieved a lot actually as a youth activist and I don’t know if I would be where I am today if am not a youth activist. Most importantly I put smiles on the faces of others and to me that is a great achievement.
Do you face any peculiar challenges as a woman especially as the only female NYCN aspirant?
There are challenges everyday but they make us stronger. The major challenge is that women have been stereotyped for so long, a man can meet influential people and take photographs with them and nobody sees anything wrong in that but when a woman do that people feel otherwise like you are loose, you are wayward and all that but when you build up your confidence and dignity and always do the right things you won’t feel any guilt because you are upright. It is very important to know yourself worth and coordinate yourself appropriately and people won’t have negative things to say about you.
Does your husband support your youth activism?
It is not that easy but he does his best and knows that it is something I have passion for so he does not stop me rather he encourages me that is why I am also soliciting support from well meaning Nigerians especially the youths to win this election because I will ensure not only youths are happy but every Nigerian as I will bring more ideas to the table especially in terms of creativity so many people can excel.
