Emergent Labs led by Emeka Mba and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Inspired by Jela, Angela Ochu-Baiye have launched the ‘Vote023’ initiative Thursday, at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Lagos. The initiative is a non-partisan incentive-driven voice call campaign to promote civic responsibility in Nigeria.
The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) said Vote023 aims to influence voter behaviour and drive action by providing compelling reasons to participate and confirm to electorates that the future of the country lies primarily in their decision to become active contributors in the electoral process.
Mba, who is the project visioner of Vote023 said that some Nigerians who decided to show apathy to the electoral process had their reasons for doing so, but encouraged every one of voting age to come out en masse to participate in the 2023 general elections.
He said: “Nigerians who do not participate in the electoral process have legitimate reasons for not participating. While most believe, rightly or wrongly, that results are predetermined and their votes do not count, others pull back because of personal safety and security reasons.
“Hence, we are launching Vote023 to correct this voter apathy by creatively sensitising Nigerians and giving them strong reasons to vote in the forthcoming 2023 elections. The objective is to deepen the citizens’ consciousness of their civic obligation and drive more engagement in the voting process.
“This is how it works. You visit Vote023.org and you will see two options- you can call the number in one of the boxes and listen to our pre-recorded non-partisan message in your preferred language reminding you to vote in the upcoming 2023 elections and we would send you an SMS and credit you with N100 airtime instantly. If you input your number or anyone else’s, you or the person will get the same pre-recorded message and receive N100 airtime instantly.”
In his address, Ochu-Baiye, a media consultant and a collaborator in the project, said it was not enough for voters to get their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) without casting their votes at the polling booth.
Ochu-Baiye explained that the Vote023 Campaign was designed to drive civic engagement and actual voting by strategically placing messaging in different languages and incentivising it for more reception.
Gospel Obi, popularly known as Gospelondebeatz, expressed delight to be part of the project and said that 2023 will be a defining phase for Nigeria.
The theme song, produced by Gospelondebeatz, would be streaming on Spotify, Soundcloud, Tidal, YouTube, Apple Music, Deezer and other platforms.
Mba and Ochu-Baiye further called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the self-funded campaign in order to protect Nigeria’s future.
