From the Outskirts to the Heart of Ibadan: Apero Mekunu Awareness Campaign Gains Momentum

Days three and four of the radio programme awareness rally saw the campaign move across contrasting parts of Ibadan — from the relatively quiet communities of Akinyele and Ido Local Government Areas to the bustling, high-energy centres of Ibadan North East and Ibadan South East Local Government Areas.

Despite the differences in environment, the mission remained consistent: to bring civic conversations directly to the people and introduce a platform designed to amplify community voices.

In Akinyele and Ido, discussions were calm and reflective. Residents raised concerns about access — access to timely information, economic opportunities, and responsive leadership. Farmers, traders, and youths shared challenges relating to transportation costs, livelihoods, and what many described as a sense of exclusion from mainstream public discourse.

As the rally moved into Ibadan North East and Ibadan South East, the atmosphere shifted noticeably. The pace was faster, the crowds more animated, and engagement more intense. Traders paused transactions to listen, commuters joined discussions between trips, and young residents posed probing questions about how the radio programme could highlight pressing issues such as rising living costs, accountability, and daily survival in densely populated urban areas.

Across both settings, one theme stood out clearly: the desire to be heard. Whether in communities on the outskirts or at the heart of the city, residents expressed a shared need for platforms that reflect their lived realities and provide space for meaningful civic participation.