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Tag: NGO

  • NGO seeks end to injustices

    A NON-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) has called on the government and Nigerians to end cases of injustice in the country.

    At a forum in Amukoko, Lagos, the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos group noted that injustice to one is injustice to all.

    At the event, which had ‘Know your right, defend your right and pursue your right’ as theme, JDPC Chaplain in Apapa, Rev. Father Emmanuel Likoko, said there was the need to educate Nigerians on their rights, adding: ‘’Many of them are ignorant of their rights.There are a lot of inequalities in the society. How can we make our situation better, environment habitable and friendly?’’

    The priest continued: ‘’When you know your right, you know your responsibility, that you are accountable and that you know your obligation.’’

    Rev Father Likoko, who is the Parish Priest of St Rose Lima Catholic Church, Amukoko, said several Nigerians at the grassroots do not know their rights, though they are enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. He urged them to avail themselves of their rights so that they would not be cheated or trampled upon.

    An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mrs Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah, who was a guest speaker, spoke on child abuse. Citing cases of child abuse, she blamed parents and guardians for the surge. She warned that under the Child Rights Act, child abuse is illegal and that its breach could fetch an offender several years in prison.

    The Olympics gold medallist urged parents and guardians to rise to the challenge of parenthood, warning them against leaving their children for maids or untrustworthy neighbours. She advised them against meting excessive punishment for minor offences. The ACP said: ‘’Know the extent to which you can discipline your child so that you do not abuse them.’’

    A human rights activist Achike Chudi claimed that injustices abound in the country, urging Nigerians to fight for their rights. ‘’Rights are inalienable. When you deprive others of their rights e.g. right to life, they can seek redress in a law court,’’ he said.

    ‘’Ethnic groups are being maltreated. People are being picked randomly for spurious reasons. An applicant was once arrested and held at Ikoyi Prison for eight years for no reason. Demolition of Ayefele’s house was an abuse of the law. Exercise your right,’’ he added.

  • NGO donates water facilities to Lagos communities

    Save the Children, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to helping children live better lives, has handed over 30 rehabilitated and newly constructed water facilities to Somolu Local Government Area and Bariga Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

    The donation, which is part of the Stop Diarrhea Initiative (SDI), a four-year project implemented by Save the Children, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, was aimed at reducing diarrhea incidence among children below the age of five in Somolu LGA and Bariga LCDA.

    The project, it was learnt, seeks to implement the efficacy of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recommended 7-point plan for diarrhea prevention.

    Present at the handing over ceremony were various community leaders, members of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, council workers and residents of Somolu and Bariga.

    Mrs Zeinat Adeola Oniye, the Vice-Chairman of Bariga LCDA expressed gratitude to the organisation for easing the problem of water scarcity in both communities by providing clean water and a solar system to power the water treatment.

    “You have invested huge sum of resources and you are giving it to us for free. The people of Somolu and Bariga appreciate your effort over the years, especially in the aspect of how you are helping us to eradicate diarrhea from our society,” she said.

    She urged residents of the areas to adapt to the culture of cleanliness by regarding hand washing as a way of life.

    In his remarks, Head of the Stop Diarrhea Project (SDP), Mr. David Atamewale revealed that the need to reduce the prevalence of diarrhea in both communities informed the donation of the water facilities.

    “We aim at reducing the incidence of diarrhea by at least 50 per cent among children under the age of five. Somolu LGA was chosen because it has the highest rate of diarrhea.

    “The SDI is a four-year project designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the 7-points plan recommended by the UNICEF for diarrhea prevention and control.  Access to quality water is one of them. So, for the past four years, we have worked with very committed people in Lagos State in different ways in our collective effort to bring an end to diarrhea”, he said.

     

  • Emir drums support for Girl-child education

    The Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris on Thursday canvassed more support for girl-child education, saying it is necessary for societal development.

    The monarch made the remark when an NGO, Arewa Youth Trust Foundation paid him a courtesy call in his palace in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    The Emir said: “it is of course true, if you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate the society, because she is a mother and the first teacher of a child.

    “Mother is a pace setter, foundation and pillars upon which children build their entire live, therefor, if she is educated, she will make sure she raise educated children, thereby liberating and emancipating the society from ills of illiteracy.”

    He urged parents to encourage their children including the girl-child to pursue both western and Islamic education for the benefit of not only their immediate family but also the society.

    Idris pledged his total support to individuals and groups holistically involved in promoting girl-child education, and in addressing the welfare of orphans and fighting drug abuse.

    He lauded the efforts of the Arewa Youth Trust Foundation at sensitising and creating awareness in the areas of health, education, peace building, social investment and advocacy on policies.

    “I am impressed by your gigantic efforts at designing and executing programmes that educate the youths to become useful to themselves and the society.

    “These are important and laudable programmes that would give the youths a sense of direction and a sense of hope for a brighter future,” the emir said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the NGO had organised series of sensitisation campaigns covering education, health, economy and peace building among others aimed at transforming the youths.

    Earlier, Chairman of the Foundation, Alhaji Fahad Ahmed-Chikaji told the emir that they were in his palace to thank him for accepting to be the Grand Patron of the organisation.

    “Your Royal Highness, we are here to seek royal blessing and to thank you for accepting to be the Grand Patron of our noble NGO, we are indeed grateful.

    “We also want to use this medium to highlight some of our activities which include; promoting girl-child education, assisting the orphans, fight against drug abuse and advocacy campaign against some diseases among others.”

    Ahmed-Chikaji promised that the foundation would sustain the series of programmes it runs for the benefit of youths, society and the nation at large.

  • Excitement as NGO resettles IDPs to Northern Borno

    Following the final decapitation of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists and the complete return of peace to the Northeast, the Peace Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Initiative PRRI has resettled over 1000 displaced persons into their communities.

    The Boko Haram insurgency which began an armed rebellion against the Nigerian state in 2012 with the aide of international conspirators like Amnesty International and a host of others took a substantial part of the Northeast of Nigeria thereby rendering millions homeless while killing unarmed civilians and raping women in uncountable numbers.

    The renewed commitment of the Nigerian Military particularly the Nigerian Army within the last three years was able to take back areas held by these criminal elements.

    With the return of peace in these communities, the PRRI has in the last two years been involved in the provision of humanitarian interventions such as relief materials, Medicare and financial assistance to victims.

    The 2018 edition tagged “Home Return” was organized in collaboration with Entrepreneur Network Nigeria (EEN) and featured various vocational skills in soap making, insecticide, germicide, bead making , reusable sanitary towels, cosmetics shoemaking and tailoring.

    Speaking at the distribution ceremomy, Deputy Secretary of PRRI Nkechi Odoma, who represented the PRRI Chairman, Hon Sam Ode mni said, PRRI is happy to be a part of their story and enjoined them to put the skills and resources already acquired into good use and encouraged others with such lofty ideas to reach out to them and not be discouraged.

    She tasked the community to return home and start a living but must report movement of suspicious persons to the military and remain law abiding citizens.

    Over 1000 Internally Displaced Persons benefited from the scheme at the Mongonu and Baga IDP camps with items such as sewing machines, cosmetic kits, and other starter packs as well as food items of assorted variables.

    A beneficiary Amina Bulama who lost her husband and two children couldn’t hide her emotions while speaking to TheNigerian. Expressed gratitude to the organization for the program which she said has given her a reason to stay alive.

    “This scheme has given me a new life, I am very excited to return home and begin anew,” she said.

    Another beneficiary, Mohammed Kaita recounted his ordeal with the terrorists.

    “They killed my aged mother and raped my two wives right before me. I had a barn filled with grains but they burnt all including our houses. My two sons were spared because they were not home at the time of the attack but my neighbours son who refused to join the insurgency were slaughtered like rams before their aged father who couldn’t survive the trauma.

    “I have lost everything I ever worked for but I am very grateful to God for this initiative the PRRPI has brought. I have learnt how to make clothes I am prepared to go home any moment from now because peace has now returned to my village”. He said

    In 2014, the insurgency spread to neighboring Cameroon, Chad, and Niger thus becoming a major regional conflict.

    In 2015, a coalition offensive by the Multi National Joint Task Force pushed Boko Haram to retreat into the Sambisa Forest until the Nigerian Military in a decisive operation cleared their entire strong holds.

    The insurgency which has largely been political took place within the context of long-standing issues of religious violence between Nigeria’s Muslim and Christian communities even though the insurgents did not discriminate along religious lines in their killings.

    Boko Haram has been called the world’s deadliest terrorist group, in terms of the number of people it has killed and territories it captured.

    The PRRI has remained one of the organizations working not only to ensure that peace returns but that communities are reconstructed victims rehabilitated and resettled in their homes.

    “Coming here by road all the way from Abuja, I have seen so much. The magnitude of devastation is unimaginable but  the recovery effort is very very impressive” François de Rubet a French journalist told TheNigerian.

    “It’s not about sitting in that luxury hotel in Abuja to say things that don’t add up, its about coming up here to assess situations for yourself.

    “The most amazing aspect is the home grown solutions the Nigerian authorities have adopted. To me, this is the best solution to completely avert a future occurrence” he added.

    After the intensive training by the PRRI Team beneficiaries where issued certificates and given materials and cash to start up businesses.

    The intervention of the PRRI according to Hadiza Usman a beneficiary living with disability, will linger in their minds for a long time to come as they prepare to return back home. But above all the love she has been shown by the team has helped her to stay hopeful that the event of the recent past has come to a final end.

  • NGO performs over 1,000 surgeries

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), “05 Initiative”, yesterday said it had performed more than 1,000 surgeries in the ongoing statewide free medicare programme.

    The founder of the NGO and wife of Delta Governor, Mrs Edith Okowa, disclosed this during the launch free medicare programme in Warri South Local Government Area.

    Mrs Okowa said the organisation was committed to the general well-being of the people and urged them to show love to one and another.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Onoye, said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, had ordered that Central Hospital, Warri, be connected to the 33 KVA line to address the electricity challenge at the hospital.

    Onoye also said that widows and pregnant women in the state were to enjoy free medical treatment.

    According to him, contracts have been awarded for the construction of hostels at the state School of Nursing, Warri, as well as some health centres in Warri South Local Government Area.’’

    In his address of welcome, the Chairman, Warri South Local Government Area, Mr Michael Tidi, commended the governor’s wife for her foresight toward the well-being of the people.

    Tidi urged other wealthy individuals and organisations in the state to emulate the “05 Initiative” with a view to moving the state forward.

    “05 Initiative is poised to re-define healthcare services in Delta. I urge well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate the governor’s wife,’’ Tidi said.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that programme that would afford residents of Warri South the opportunity to enjoy screening and treatment of malaria.

    The treatment also covers screening for diabetes, hypertension, Higher Immune Virus (HIV), surgery for cataract as well as de-worming, health talks among others.

     

  • Oil spills destroyed 50 fishing camps in Baylesa says NGO

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Oil and Gas Producing Areas Enlightenment and Empowerment Initiative (OGPAEEI)  yesterday alleged that recent oil spills in Aghoro 1 and 2 communities destroyed 50 fishing settlements in Bayelsa State.

    Aghoro plays host to an oilfield operated by oil multinational, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) , in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Baylesa State.

    The communities, Aghoro 1 and 2, were said to have been affected by oil spills from SPDC’s pipeline network in the arears.

    The Spokesman for the group, Dr. Anapunere Awoii, said  that about 10,000 fishing nets, water bodies and farmlands were also negatively impacted by the spills.

    Awoii, who spoke for the President of the group, Mr. Jackson Igbabiri, claimed that the most affected communities in Aghoro 1 comprising Famous Ama, Garden of Eden, Aya Ama, Azatitor and Birigbene.

    He said: “From the assessment we conducted on the incident, we found out that about 10,000 fishing nets, over 50 fishing settlements, farmlands including coconut farms, plantain and water yam farms were impacted by the spills.

    “Some of the fishing settlements in the area are Amasese, Idolo, Semetiegbe, Yoba, Agoloudu, Ama Iyorodtugbene, Isun Adofeye camp among others.

    “We are calling on SPDC to urgently provide alternative sources of water like borehole for the people. The people are also in dire need of medical aids and food items and the situation can lead to public health challenges if not taken care of.

    “Let me once again commend the state government on their visit to the affected communities; it is very encouraging that the government is sensitive to the plight of the victims. The show of  empathy is plausible and commendable.”

    The Traditional Ruler, His Majesty, King Enimikem Famous, of Famous Ama Community in Aghoro, reportedly described the incident oil spills “unfortunate”.

    He appealed to the Federal Government, SPDC and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to their rescue.

    “We have suffered too much spills; our people have suffered from several illness such as cholera, severe cough and infertility caused by the type of water we consume,” he said.

    Reacting on the incident, the Manager, Stakeholders Relations, SPDC, Dr. Alice Aje, explained that the oil firm was responding to the spill incident.

    She sought the understanding and cooperation of the communities adding that efforts were ongoing to convene a joint investigative visit (JIV) with community representatives to probe the cause of the spill.

    Also, the Media Relations Manager, SPDC, Mr. Bamidele Odugbesan, said that a JIV to Aghoro communities  was being convened to determine the cause of an oil leak in the area.

    Odugbesan said that the oil firm convened a joint investigation team to visit the area.

    But he regretted that the rains and swampy nature of the area were hampering the spill response operations.

    Odugbesan described the allegations of delayed response as baseless, adding that Shell was doing everything possible to control the spill.

    He said: “We have been working round-the-clock since the leak occurred; we got the report and as we speak, the JIV is underway but it is not yet concluded because there are three leak points in Aghoro.

    “The JIV team, comprising SPDC officials, regulators, community representatives and Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment officials must visit the three spots before arriving at a conclusion.

    “The JIV report will indicate the cause of the spill as well as the estimated volume of crude that was discharged into the area.”

  • NGO decries sexual violence -against boys

    Founder of a non governmental organisation (NGO), Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru has decried the non-existence of curricula in schools that address gender-based violence in Nigeria, especially for boys.

    She spoke in Lagos while announcing the results of the first session of WARIF new initiative called the WARIF Boys Conversation Cafe.

    The initiative is designed to educate young boys between the ages of 12-16, on the prevalence of sexual violence, to change the perception and behavioral patterns among these groups of boys on violence against women.

    Dr DaSilva-Ibru said WARIF Boys Conversation Café took informal dialogue sessions with cohort groups of secondary school boys, where vetted male volunteers were recruited from different organizations to serve as mentors /role models at these café sessions.

    “At the end of first session with students of Surulere secondary school, the WARIF Boys Conversation Café, recorded an outstanding outcome with 98 percent of the beneficiaries strongly agreeing to take a stand in any case of sexual abuse rather than just being bystanders. 85 percent of the boys strongly agreed that CONSENT of a girl to have sex is important and should be respected. Further results of the project also showed that the use of banned drugs like Tramadol and Codeine dropped by a whopping 66 percent,” she said.

    It is the first round of its new initiative called the WARIF Boys Conversation Café, which was sponsored by Diamond Bank.

    According to her, the foundation’s role, from the outset is to address the high incidence of rape and sexual violence in communities across Lagos and other states.

    “Our statistics today tell us that one in four girls before the age of 18 would have had one violent sexual encounter in Lagos State and in Nigeria. However, the more we work in this space, the more we appreciate that we focus a lot of attention on protecting the girls, and we spend less time addressing the boys. We sometimes even forget that many of the boys in our communities are also survivors.

    “A lot of attention is given to women and girls to protect themselves against sexual abuse as opposed to teaching boys and men not to become perpetrators of sexual violence. With the introduction of this initiative, we intend to change the existing attitudes and behavior of young boys on the topic of rape and sexual violence.  Through mentoring and education, we can change the narrative of these young men who will then grow up to become productive members of their communities,” she said.

    The Coordinator of Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team Lagos (DSVRT), Mrs. Lola Vivour Adeniyi, said, “at DSVRT we believe strongly in positive masculinity. We found that unconsciously, we put a lot of awareness on girls and how we can protect them, teaching them how to be safe, and how they can protect themselves from sexual abuse. But we usually leave the boys behind, which should not be the case, as statistics have shown that it is mostly boys who grow to be perpetrators of abuse, and they also get sexually abused too”.

    “So, we are excited about the WARIF Boys’ Conversation Café, and we will be partnering with WARIF to cascade these café conversations across the 6 education districts in Lagos. “ she added.

    WARIF is a non-profit organisation, established to raise awareness and address the prevalence of rape, sexual violence and trafficking of young girls and women in communities across Nigeria. The foundation has also introduced several initiatives such as the WARIF Centre, WARIF Educational School program, WARIF Know your community, WARIF Gatekeepers initiative and the WARIF through the Arts initiative.

     

  • Ngo, security agencies warn youths against violence

    Youths in Ekiti State have been advised to reject calls from politicians to be used as agents of violence before, during and after the July 14 governorship election.

    They were also urged to contribute meaningfully to the electoral process, by voting credible candidates and by promoting peace building activities in their various localities.

    The advice was given at a town hall advocacy forum tagged ‘Vote Not Fight, Election No Be War’ held in Ido-Ekiti, headquarters of Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state. It was also attended by the representatives of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil

    Defence Corps and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The parley was organised by a civil society organisation, the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD), to sensitize the youths to use their votes to bring about a positive change in the state.

    It was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAID) and National Democratic Institute (NDI).

    The governorship candidate of Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Rev. Tunde Afe, and his counterpart in Independent Democrats (ID), Mr. Tosin Ajibare, who spoke at the town hall meeting, gave a commitment to run a peaceful campaign.

    NIGAWD Executive Director, Miss Abimbola Aladejare, said there was need to engage critical stakeholders, including the youths, on the need to refrain from any act of bloodshed before, during and after the poll.

    She said: “It is imperative to let our youths know that their statutory obligation on the day of election is to vote and stay back to protect their votes. No rigging, no ballot snatching or killing of people.

    “When it comes to issue of violence and rigging, everybody is involved. I mean the youths, politicians, security agencies and INEC. That is why we are engaging them on the need to respect the sanctity of the ballot.

    “We witnessed peaceful election in 2014 in Ekiti, but there was crisis leading to destruction of property and killing of people after the election. But this time, we want our people to be civil, because there is nothing to gain in violence.”

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmed Bello, who was represented by the Area Commander in charge of Ido/Osi, Ijero, Moba, Ilejemeje and Efon local governments, Mr. Adetoye Adepegba, assured the voters that the command was determined to ensure adequate security of lives and property.

    He said: “On our side, we are going to be neutral. We are not going to take side and we will ensure that we monitor the election in the most professional way to enforce compliance to rules.

    “Part of our duties is enforcement of law and order. We also owe it a duty to preserve the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act. We are assuring our people that we shall be civil and neutral in this election.

    The Resident Electoral Commission in Ekiti, Prof Abduganiy Raji, said the commission has strengthened its system and make it technologically driven, saying this has made it difficult for anyone to manipulate the outcome of the election.

     

  • NGO urges children to develop positive mind

    An Igbo women Non-Governmental Organisation,(NGO) Umuada Di-igbo Mma,yesterday advises children from the Hope for Survival Children Orphanage, Gishiri, Abuja to develop a positive mind about their growing up.

    The Coordinator of the NGO, Mrs Beauty Ikeaka, who gave this advice when her entourage visited the orphanage to donate food items said the children will one day conquer the world if they are determined.

    Ikeaka said  the donation of the items was to show love to the children and for them not to feel neglected.

    According to Ikeaka, the vision of the organisation is to empower women and the needy in the society so as to encourage their effort in the race of survival.

    “Our organisation, born out of passion aimed at empowering women and the needy. It was established at California 12 years ago.The FCT chapter of the NGO was flagged-off in April 2017.

    ” We have visited many orphanage ranging from Zion orphanage Lugbe, St. Benedict Catholic orphanage Lokogoma where we feed and treated 279 persons.

    “We are here to offer the children scholarship to study in their various school of choice and also to give them drugs and food items. Umuada Di-Igbo Mma is established in all the Igbo speaking states and some others state in Nigeria,” Ikeaka said.

    The Coordinator added that, the NGO was also formed to enhance unity and co-existence among the Igbo either by birth, nationality or by marriage.

    The legal adviser to the organisation, Mrs Joy Nduka pointed out that, a lot of people have been empowered by the NGO either through seminars to gain knowledge or direct offers.

    Also, the National Social Director of the NGO, Mrs Ilukwe Nnennah called on the children to be focussed and determined in whatever they do.

    She advised the children to develop a positive mind about their growing up, adding that, they will one day conquer the world if they are determined.

    “You are important to the world, you are important to the society. Just have a positive dream and you will get there.

    ” Be obedient, be loyal; the society are looking at you to use you as an example and you cannot be in the bush to achieve greatness except in the school, so, I encourage you, keep going to school,” she said.

    Mrs Juliet Michael, President of the FCT chapter of the organisation thanked the proprietress of the Hope for survival orphanage for the heart of care shown to the children.

    According to Michael, upbringing of children is a very taskful and strenuous  work which demand total commitment from the part of the guardian’s.

    She said the orphanage has helped to put smile on the faces of the children.

  • 2019: NGO urges youths to shun violence, seek elective positions

    Ahead of 2019 general election, Beyond Boundaries Legacy Leadership Initiative (BBLLI), an NGO, has urged Nigerian youths to shun violence.

    The organisation also enjoined the youths to seek for elective positions in the election following the signing into law “Not Too Young to Run Bill” by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Executive Director and Public Relations Officer of the NGO, Messrs Omaga Daniel and Mpakaboari Numbere, which was made available to our reporter on Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

    The organisation described the passage and signing of the bill as a significant moment in Nigeria’s history, noting that a lot depends on the youths in terms of agitating for an egalitarian and better leadership at all levels of governance.

    Read Also: Rethinking the next generation of NGOs

    According to the statement, the organisation stressed that with the passage of the bill, the stage is now set for the youths of to prove that they are not just leaders of tomorrow but partners of today.

    The statement also urged the youths to continue to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and continue to live in peace considering the importance of peace to national development.

    “There is the need for constant engagement of every Nigerian youth as far as formulation and implementation of government policies are concerned.

    “We are urging Nigerian youths to rally among themselves in solidarity, and with one voice towards projecting individuals that will stand for the Nigerian dream come 2019 general elections,” it said.

    The group also called on Nigerian youths not to relax but to take advantage of the bill and avail themselves in taking responsibility to lead at all levels and to make Nigeria great.

    Besides, the statement urge the government to double her effort towards the security of lives and properties of Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, religious or social affiliation.

    While appreciating Buhari for the speedy accent to the bill, the NGO urged Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their affiliation.

     

    NAN