AYA TAKES PVC COLLECTION ADVOCACY TO OLUGBEDE MARKET BUREAU DE CHANGE, STRENGTHENS PARTNERSHIP WITH HAUSA BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

The Alimosho Youth Assembly (AYA) has intensified its grassroots democratic participation campaign with a strategic courtesy visit to the Bureau de Change Association, Olugbede Market, Egbeda, Alimosho, Lagos State, to advocate increased Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, voter education and greater electoral participation among members of the Hausa business community.

The delegation, led by the National Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amb. Ibrahim Olawale Seriki, engaged the association's leadership and members on the importance of exercising their democratic rights by obtaining their PVCs and voting for candidates of their choice during elections.

AYA SEEKS STRONGER VOTING STRENGTH ACROSS ALIMOSHO.

Speaking during the engagement, Rt. Hon. Seriki emphasized the need to build a stronger voting population across Alimosho through intentional grassroots mobilisation, inclusive political participation and sustained voter education.

He specifically appealed to the leadership of the Bureau de Change Association, Olugbede Market, under the chairmanship of Mallam Abdullahi, to mobilize its members and extend the PVC collection advocacy to the wider Hausa communities across Alimosho.

He stressed that the Hausa community remains an important part of Alimosho's demographic, commercial and socioeconomic structure and should be adequately engaged in the democratic process.

According to him, the objective is to encourage every eligible resident to understand the importance of their PVC, participate in elections and freely vote for their preferred candidates without intimidation or external influence.

"Our coming together is a partnership for progressive and productive results beyond politics," the National Speaker declared.

He further commended the association for its contributions to peaceful coexistence, transparent business transactions and the overall socioeconomic development of Alimosho.

Speaking from his professional experience as a business development consultant, he also encouraged the association's members to embrace digital transformation and improve the digital visibility of their businesses.

He noted that the global business environment is rapidly evolving and that business owners must position themselves to benefit from technological advancements, digital marketing, online visibility and modern business opportunities.

BDC SPOKESPERSON CALLS FOR POLITICAL INCLUSION AND RECOGNITION.

Responding on behalf of the association, its spokesperson, Mr. Sadiq Bashir Mohammed, expressed profound appreciation to the leadership of the Alimosho Youth Assembly, led by its National Speaker, for the thoughtful engagement and recognition of their association as an important stakeholder in Alimosho.

He described the ideas and development opportunities presented during the visit as a significant wake-up call for members, particularly considering the speed of global technological and economic development.

He affirmed that the association was prepared to embrace digitalization and progressively upgrade its business operations to align with contemporary standards.

On the PVC advocacy initiative, Mr. Sadiq applauded AYA for its selfless community service and demonstrated concern for the democratic participation of the business community.

He disclosed that over 90 per cent of the association's members already possess PVCs and participate in elections within Alimosho. However, he observed that many members have limited awareness of the PVC's electoral importance, with some more familiar with its use for business transactions and other financial services than its role in the democratic process.

Consequently, he expressed the association's readiness to establish a PVC sensitisation and voter awareness partnership programme with the Alimosho Youth Assembly within the market.

He explained that the association wants more of its members to understand the electoral process and actively participate in forthcoming elections.

"WE ARE NOT STRANGERS IN ALIMOSHO" – BDC SPOKESPERSON

In a particularly significant part of his remarks, Mr. Sadiq expressed displeasure over what he described as the recurring treatment of members of the Hausa business community as strangers during some political gatherings and engagements in Alimosho.

He questioned the rationale behind excluding or overlooking a community whose members have made substantial investments and established deep-rooted family and economic connections within the local government.

He emphasized that members of the association are not merely business operators passing through Alimosho. They operate multi-billion-naira businesses, acquire properties, build houses, raise children and contribute to the local economy.

He maintained that such contributions should translate into recognition, inclusion and meaningful participation in the political and developmental affairs of the community.

According to him, economic contributions and community integration should be accompanied by equal opportunities for civic engagement and political participation.

He expressed confidence that the emerging relationship between the two organisations would help bridge existing gaps, strengthen mutual understanding and produce positive results for all parties.

AYA: THE PARTNERSHIP IS A WIN-WIN FOR ALL.

In its concluding remarks, the Alimosho Youth Assembly reassured the association that the relationship represents a mutually beneficial, win-win partnership that goes beyond electoral interests.

The Assembly emphasized that its engagement strategy is built around inclusiveness, community integration, democratic participation, economic development and peaceful coexistence.

AYA reiterated its commitment to recognizing and engaging all communities, business associations and demographic groups whose contributions continue to shape the development of Alimosho.

The Assembly maintained that building a progressive Alimosho requires collective responsibility, mutual respect and strategic partnerships among all stakeholders, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or social background.

AYA PRESENTS CERTIFICATE OF CREDENCE TO OLUGBEDE MARKET BDC.

As part of the highlights of the visit, the Alimosho Youth Assembly presented a Certificate of Credence to the Bureau de Change Association, Olugbede Market, Egbeda, Alimosho, Lagos State.

The recognition was presented in appreciation of the association's commitment to responsible business practices, peaceful coexistence and its positive economic contributions to the development of Alimosho.

Beyond the formal recognition, the presentation symbolized the strengthening of a new friendship and institutional relationship between both organisations, founded on mutual respect, cooperation and shared developmental aspirations.

AYA DELEGATION.

Other members of the Alimosho Youth Assembly delegation present during the courtesy visit included:

- Hon. Comrade Olatundun Bolaji Taiwo – Acting Clerk, Alimosho Youth Assembly.

- Hon. Olaide Ganiyu Adebayo – Director of Protocols.

- Hon. Comrade Archibong Umoren Stephen – Director of Media and Publicity.

A NEW CHAPTER OF INCLUSION, PARTNERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT.

The courtesy visit represents an important step towards strengthening relationships between the Alimosho Youth Assembly and the Hausa business community, particularly in advancing democratic awareness and ensuring broader participation in the electoral process.

With the proposed market-based PVC sensitisation programme and the commitment to digital business transformation, both organisations have identified practical areas of collaboration capable of producing lasting community benefits.

The engagement also reinforces an important message: Alimosho belongs to everyone who lives, works, invests and contributes to its development.

Through strategic partnerships and inclusive community engagement, the Alimosho Youth Assembly continues to pursue its vision of building a more united, participatory, peaceful and economically progressive Alimosho.

ALIMOSHO YOUTH ASSEMBLY (AYA)!!

Strategically Change the Narratives...!!!