To a grilled plantain banana seller on the roadside, Eromz proclaims, "You hold the power; it determines your future and that of your children. Your voice counts!" This has been his daily routine since he founded ABENOL in 2021, a platform of volunteers that raises awareness among the population about civic education. The project is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through Yiaga Africa, a civic hub that brings together change agents committed to promoting democratic governance, human rights, and civic engagement.
30-year-old Eromz Adene, is not affiliated with any political party and does not endorse any candidate. His fight, along with ABENOL, is to raise awareness among Nigerians, especially young people, about the importance of participating in elections.
Today, young people are disinterested in politics to the extent that they don't even think about obtaining their voter card, which is distributed in the weeks leading up to the elections. "It's truly disheartening, as voting is the avenue through which we determine our representatives, regardless of the institution," he asserts.
Eromz harbors ambitious aspirations. Fuelled by unwavering determination, he aims to convince one million individuals to register on the electoral rolls. Together with ABENOL volunteers, they achieved a significant milestone, aiding 700,000 people in obtaining their voter cards for the February 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
"Though self-evident for some, the task proves more arduous for others, especially when rules are flouted."
Eromosele Peter Adene, Activist and Founder of ABENOL
In his quest, with his association ABENOL, Eromz has designed a small pocket guide: the "VES Guide" (Voter Education and Sensitization Guide), in which he explains the role of the President of the Republic, the National Assembly, the Senate, and the State Governors. 1,000 copies have been distributed throughout the country thanks to ABENOL's network of volunteers.
"There are different government bodies, each with a different mandate. To foster clarity and empower young people, we conceived this booklet, offering insights into institutional mechanisms. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing newfound knowledge. Some even confessed ignorance regarding the pivotal role of the National Assembly and its elected members," he shares.
ABENOL, recognizing the need for wider accessibility, plans to translate the guide into three major Nigerian languages (Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa) and develop an audio version for broadcasting in bus stations, markets, and through radio stations.
People are sometimes surprised that the guide is free, but more importantly, when they learn that it is not sponsored by any political party, they become eager to take a copy.
An Effective Approach
"Thanks to ABENOL, we now understand the importance of voting. If it weren't for them, I doubt I would have ever made the effort to go to the polling station," confides a passerby, queuing to collect her voter's card.
To the delight of ABENOL members like Pamela Richard-Anyamele, who asserts, "Elections signify change, a fresh start. Our goal is to empower young people to choose their government. By entrusting our vote to those who govern us, we develop a deeper willingness to listen and place our trust in them."
Eromz and the young members of ABENOL refuse to rest on their laurels. They aspire for their message to resonate throughout Nigeria and beyond. "In Nigeria, as well as across the Sahel region, we, young people, possess this energy, this determination, and we must play a more significant role in society—we must become leaders!" proclaims Eromz.
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