A new civic advocacy group, the One Kwara Agenda (OKA), has officially launched in Kwara with a strong call for unity and a shift away from what its described as divisive politics.
Speaking at a press conference at the NUJ Secretariat in Ilorin on Tuesday, the convener of the group, Dr. Femi A. Adetola, stressed that the state’s progress is being hindered by ethnic, religious, and regional divisions.
“Kwara, a state that once proudly bore the torch of unity is now battling with fissures drawn along ethnic, religious, and regional lines,” Dr. Adetola said.
He introduced the OKA as a people-centered platform dedicated to rekindling the ideals of a united and indivisible Kwara.
Dr. Adetola explained that the OKA is made up of ordinary citizens,professionals, students, market women, clerics, elders, and youths who are not aligned with any political party.
The group’s core belief is that a divided Kwara will be denied growth, peace, and development.
The OKA’s mission is to promote unity and advocate for merit-based leadership where competence, character, and capacity take precedence over ethnicity, religion, or regional identity.
Dr. Adetola criticized divisive political rhetoric that pits one region or group against another, and calls for a system where any capable Kwaran can aspire to a leadership position regardless of their background.
To achieve its goals, the group outlined a multi-pronged strategy that includes;
✓ Public Engagement: Organizing town hall meetings, press conferences, and community dialogues to promote unity consciousness.
✓ Media Campaigns: Using radio, TV, and digital platforms to reshape public discourse on leadership and identity.
✓ Policy Advocacy: Publishing position papers on equitable development and working with think tanks to monitor regional balance in governance.
✓ Youth Leadership: Nurturing a new generation of leaders who prioritize unity and justice through boot camps and fellowships.
✓ Strategic Collaboration: Partnering with community-based organizations, traditional institutions, and pro-democracy platforms.
The One Kwara Agenda concluded its press conference with a Call to Action, urging politicians to campaign on ideas rather than fear or ancestry.
The group also appealed to citizens to reject identity politics, and urged traditional and religious leaders to serve as bridges, not barricades.
“A house divided cannot stand”, Dr. Adetola said in his closing remarks.
The One Kwara Agenda is not just a slogan, it is a moral imperative, a generational responsibility, and a political necessity, He added.
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The event had in attendance notable personalities, representatives from different political parties, community leaders, youth advocates, among others.
