ONCE again youth television has achieved a feat by introducing a captivating, informative programme called MTV Base Meets ... With MTN.
A first in the small screen, MTV Base has created a platform for a empowerment initiative and multimedia campaign that allows African youths to connect directly with political, cultural, sporting and business leaders.
Since the campaign began in May tens of thousands of young Africans have been inspired to nominate the influencers they'd like to meet and question.
The youth of Africa's ability to ask the questions they have always wanted to ask their leaders has made the interaction not only exciting, but rich and insightful, especially about the many challenges our continent faces. So the answers demystify some of the actions or decisions taken by the leaders.
Insightful, well-thought-out and exciting in that it brought youth into contact with leaders, the initiative also gave them a chance to meet out-of-reach leaders.
The avalanche of news from the many mediums do not help the youth but sometimes confuses them.
Globalisation has also played a major role in raising awareness and the kind of questions the youth want to ask leaders.
Premiering in Africa on July 18, the youth of Africa will make up the silent audience to discussions their peers have engaged in with the likes of the world's favourite former state president, the most celebrated South African in the world, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Rwanda's president Paul Kagame, Liberia's first and only female president on the African continent Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, among others.
British business entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, Nigerian entertainment mogul Ben Murray-Bruce (chairman, Silverbird Group) and the "richest man in Africa", aka Aliko Dangote (president, Dangote Group), are the latest inspirational influencers to sign up for the initiative.
To vote for your favourite influencer and win the chance of an all-expenses paid trip to take part in the finale, simply go to www.mtvmeets.com or http://mtvmeets.mobi or follow the campaign on Twitter at #MTVMeets@MTVbaseAfrica.