Tataafo INTERVIEW WITH B.A.N PRESIDENT

Prince UC Augustine is a man of honour and uprightness who believes that are so many positive ways to make your dreams a reality without resorting to violence or any other dubious means. That will tarnish the image of this great nation of ours. A thought that motivated him into coming up with this great association, that he believes will change the perception of an average Nigerian youth. That involving his/herself in crime related activities will make his/her dream a reality.

The interview in details below.
Mr Tataafo: Tell us a little about yourself.

Prince Uc: Thank you very much my. My real name is Uche Augustine Peter, Popularly known as Prince Uc. I am a Native of Orlu in Imo state Nigeria. The only son of my family and the first born, I have four siblings all girls. I grow up in lagos, I schooled in lagos, I mean my primary and secondary education, then LASU before leaving school to pursue my career in South Africa, I was a footballer then. Later left South Africa for India to sign for a football club named Chirag United in Kolkata India, I got injured and had to study again in Krishna Chabuey institute of Hotel management because after my injury I really don’t want to sit around doing nothing, so I had to get a certificate and it has really helped me a lot.


Mr Tataafo: How was your childhood days?

Prince Uc: It wasn’t easy. It took my mom 14 good years to give birth to my immediate younger sister, you should know what that means. I grew up amidst so much struggles but it has been good all the same.
Mr Tataafo: Why BAN?

Prince Uc: I love this question. I have been managing and consulting for a while now I do it for hotels, which exposed me to many things like how our youths waste their precious time clubbing and womanising. I never thought of ever venturing into blogging, I was only a political commentator/writer. I was encouraged by my boss to put all my write-ups into a blog to educate people. The man I call the People’s President. Wole Arisekola, the chairman of streetjournals magazine and WSJ forum, where I usually engage a lot of people in some serious argument about political matters/general matters.
Forming Bloggers Association of Nigeria is something someone should have done a long time ago. I encountered a politician sometime in one of the Hotels I used to manage and we discussed about the Nigerian youths and their challenges. The man asked me some question which I couldn’t answer. One of them got my attention which he also gave some clues on how to solve the problems. “The youths have to come together and form an alliance; they need to bring something to the table rather than lazing about or seeking for fast money without genuine means. He says that if we must make an impact in this society then we need to be creative and shun following politicians for money but forcing them to support our creativity”. I thought of this and had to come up with Bloggers Association of Nigeria to empower the youths and also to keep their minds busy. I also believed that with like minds in blogging world we can really make a difference. U can find out the rest via the following link from BAN website http://www.bannigeria.com/about-us/
Mr Tataafo:  What Are Your Agendas?

Prince Uc:To bring out the best in our youths and mostly to bring out their creativity. There are no much Agendas as I believe that when the youths are hopeful of the future, they can really find a way to succeed without engaging themselves in crime or criminal activities. I really what the world should know that once courage is been to use, a lot can be achieved.
Mr Tataafo: Is There Any Government Support or Any Other Organization?

Prince Uc:For now we are only trying to get more youths on this train of success and see how it goes. We didn’t create BAN because we needs government support but to bring out the best in us and with a better content and publications, I believe we can survive without the government.
Mr Tataafo: Where Does The Funds From?

Prince Uc:Fund raising is not one of our challenges now, although we are still speaking with some top companies and individuals for support but our main mission now is to build a strong relationship between ourselves first.
Mr Tataafo: So If I Want To Be A Member What Are The Procedures?

Prince Uc:There are no much procedures, you just have to be a blogger to be a member and we also have a group on whatsapp where we share ideas. Bloggers who wishes to join should send their URL to the following numbers. +234 706 877 1132 Smash9ja whatsapp Admin. +234 805 206 3461 Nubunk. V.President #BAN. Whatsapp Adim. +234 817 390 0892 Gistnation. Whatsapp Admin. +234 806 361 5010. ProfJay whatsapp Admin. +234 706 134 2822 jada9ja Whatsapp Admin. +2348159833203. Naija-informate. #BAN president. Whatsapp Admin.
Mr Tataafo: How Many Members Have Registered With The Association And Are They All Bloggers?

Prince Uc:Yes we have more than 200 registered Bloggers already and we make sure we thoroughly verify their Blogs and webs before accepting them. Though not all of them are interested in joining the whatsapp group but they do follow what we do through emails
Mr Tataafo: Now Lets Talk About The Big Shots In The Game, The Likes Linda, Stella, Bellanaija Are Also Members?

Prince Uc:Well for now they are not but we are still reaching out to them because I believe they will add much value to the Association. And being the top-shots as you pointed out in your question, they can make some positive impacts.
Mr Tataafo: Why Did You Think They Refused To Become Members?

Prince Uc:(Cuts in) Oh No. I never said they refused to join us! The Association is new and not everybody is aware of it existence, we are still trying to get more bloggers on the success Train.
Mr Tataafo: Do You Think Is Because They See Themselves As Top Bloggers Or Because They Don’t Believe In You Guys?
Am sure they will never say that, and it will be good if we don’t insinuate such. These guys are already in the business. Yes I mean business! because Blogging should be a career and when you are making money from what you do then it becomes your business. We will surely need them to share their experience with other bloggers and help empower the youths. I see it as an opportunity for them too, as they will be giving back to the society through this platform.
Mr Tataafo:  At This Point If You Let Me Ask You This: Where Do You See This Association In The Next 5 Years?

Prince Uc:Wow! That’s a nice question. Am sure you know how music and movie industry started. We already have BON and others like that. I am seeing a great and career wise BAN in the next 5 years. I see our youths embracing peace and making money without breaking any law. I see BAN educating the society and affecting people’s lives positively.
Mr Tataafo:   A Word Of Advise For The Youth Out There

Prince Uc:I don’t need to say much, I will only advise the youths to be creative, there are always good fortunes in creativity. We should stop collecting guns from the politicians, rather they should seek for our support to drive their creativity and not killing one another for any reason.  Together we can make a difference.

Mr Tataafo:Thanks for joining us today.