A Nigerian in the Diaspora and founder of the first ethnic satellite media company in Europe, Alistair Soyode, has welcomed the Nigeria’s Senate’s constitutional amendment in support of independent candidates in coming elections. This is more important ahead of 2019 general elections.

The entrepreneur, community advocate and mentoring commandant to youths said in a statement issued on Thursday in London that it was an amendment that is long overdue. He praised the Senate for taking a giant step at this time.

He noted that the new constitutional provision if passed will provide an alternative for making Nigeria a greater nation through a new breed of leaders.

Soyode grew up in the Northern part of Nigeria and journeyed throughout the country spending more time in the Southern part of the country where as he said, learnt the skills of business and politics.

He started his educational pursuits in Garama Primary School in Katsina, and later went to Government College Katsina, before obtaining a Diploma in Agriculture and Irrigation Engineering from Katsina State Polytechnic. He later became a Certified Fellow of Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria.

Soyode has served as Chairman of leading Nigeria Diaspora organisations such as NIDOE (Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe) amongst others. He currently chairs and leads a mentoring and coaching organisation, which is committed to youth entrepreneurship and empowerment.

He is the founder of the first ethnic television in Europe, BEN Television, based in the UK and broadcast across Europe, Africa and Nigeria. Having followed through his passion to create a positive image for Nigeria, Soyode, in association with his brother, set up the first indigenous mechanised agricultural company, which has worked with Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture and private sector agro stakeholders.

The company was the first in Nigeria to design a Mechanization Leasing Scheme and piloted its operations by giving out over 200 units of tractors and other farm equipment with input equity from farmers. The same model was later adopted by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and is today known as the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises (AEHE) spread across the country. The company has designed and implemented other novel agricultural programmes including serving as a consultant under the IFAD, FAO, etc, Agricultural Development programme for some Eastern and Central African Countries. Soyode has interest in several industries and sectors, including sports, technology, entertainment, consumer goods, industrial and property management.

Over the last years, he has acted as an advisor to government institutions in Europe, Africa and Nigeria.

He declared his interest and candidacy for political office following the constitutional amendments which, amongst others, include age for elective posts and independent candidacy with other positive outcomes.

He said: “In a season where Nigerians have lost faith in our democracy and political parties or on some candidates of existing political parties, it’s time for all of us to join forces to make Nigeria greater; it is time for a generation of electorate to go out there to vote and support new leadership that can make Nigeria greater than her present position. It’s time for us all to be seen and heard doing the right thing, and Nigerians all-over the world deserve a much better Nigeria than it is at the moment.”

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