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Tag: NGO

  • NGO establishes peace clubs in 132 schools in Plateau

    NGO establishes peace clubs in 132 schools in Plateau

    Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), an NGO, has established peace clubs in 132 secondary schools to promote peaceful co-existence in Plateau, according to its Project Manager, Mr Boniface Anthony.

    Anthony told the News men on Monday in Jos that the initiative was aimed at inculcating the virtues of peaceful co-existence in young ones.

    “The initiative started in 2012; we have already set up peace clubs in 132 schools across the 17 local government areas of Plateau,” he said.

    According to him, a lot of youths have shown interest in the clubs because some of them had been victims of the Plateau violence over the years.

    Read Also: NGO holds free screening, lecture

    He said that more peace clubs were being established, especially in the rural areas, and expressed optimism that each of the 17 local governments would have “at least seven clubs by 2020”.

    Anthony explained that the clubs were not restricted to schools, saying that groups of children in communities could come up with such ideas and be supported by the NGO.

    “The module used in setting up the clubs covers conflict, alternative to violence and gender violence,” he said, adding that the idea was modeled after similar peace groups in Zambia.

    The manager urged parents to allow their wards to participate in the activities of the clubs so as to foster peace, love and togetherness toward building a stable society.

    NAN

  • NGO holds free screening, lecture

    A non government organisation, Women’s Right and Health Project, WRAHP, has carried out free cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening for over 200 hundred people in the Ejigbo LCDA of Lagos State.

    The screening was held at the Primary Health Centre of the LCDA located in Dauda Ilo.

    Speaking during the programme, Programme Officer, WRAHP, Ivon Ewepa, explained that WRAHP was there to carry out free cancer screening for the people as well as lecture them on their general well being, preventions and ways to keep the cancers away from them.

    “WRAHP in conjunction with Act Foundation is bringing it free to the people. There is a need for the programme because cancer is something that can affect anybody, so everyone needs to be tested to know their status so that they can go for early treatment,” she said.

    She noted that WRAHP gets funds from donors, saying the sponsor for the event is Act Foundation. “It costs us about N1.5 million for each outreach we go for and we do more than 24 outreaches in a year,” she said.

    On his part, the vice chairman Ejibgo LCDA and supervisor for health Ejigbo LCDA, Dr Olusunmade Olatunde, said “WRAHP has always been in partnership with Ejigbo LCDA especially in public awareness on health issues, screening for cancers and we have always been partners in progress.”

    He said: “To reduce the prevalence of diseases in Nigeria, what is most important is health education. Health education should not be confused with health information. By the time we are talking about health education, we are saying that the people that have been informed about all the diseases and conditions that shorten life begin to take steps to prevent the things that can cause these diseases in their lives.”

     

  • Men’s cooperation critical to success of family planning — NGO

    Men’s cooperation critical to success of family planning — NGO

    Mr Akin Jimoh, the Project Director, Development Communication Network (DEVCOMS), an NGO says men’s cooperation is critical to the success of Family Planning methods chosen by couples.

    Jimoh made this known on Thursday in Lagos, in an interview with the News men on the sideline of a two-day workshop for journalists.

    The workshop was jointly organised by the National Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) 2 and DEVCOMS.

    He urged men to always cooperate with their spouses in choosing the right family planning methods for them.

    According to him, the role of men in family planning is crucial if wives must make the right decisions on all family planning methods.

    “When we talk about child-spacing, it is not only for the women. There are commodities for both male and female.

    “A lot of times we emphasise on women, neglecting the men. family planning has to be done with the cooperation of both parties and if one party disagrees, it becomes an issue,’’Jimoh said.

    Read Also: Kaduna based NGO gives scholarship to 25 orphans

    The director noted that even the application of the natural methods in planning one’s family needs support of the men to ensure their effectiveness when a couple doesn’t want to use any of the commodities for family planning.

    He maintained that men should consider the economic and health implications of family planning as a way of achieving the quality of life they aspire for their families.

    “For men, we have to look at the economic and health implications of family planning to our wives and children.

    “If a man says I can only cater for two or three children, it shows that the man is already planning his family.

    “As the head of the family, a man is responsible for the quality of life of his family,’’ he said.

    Jimoh advised men to drive the process in all family planning decisions because they have that responsibility as the heads of their respective families.

     NAN

  • 3000 get free medicare in Kwara

    About 3000 people have benefited from free medicare, open sales and career talks in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    The gesture came from a non-governmental organisation (NGO), MMGIVIT Charity Initiative.

    Founder of the initiative, Prof Mohammed Akanbi said the gesture is aimed at marking his birthday in January.

    He added that this year’s event was different as the NGO engaged women and 50 community development associations for orderliness.

    Akanbi, son of the pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, said, “Rather than celebrating birthdays with pomp and pageantry, I have resolved to channel the money to touch human lives.

    “I actually inherited that trait of giving to the less privileged from my late mum. Subsequent year’s events will be better prepared and bigger. We are doing this for the community. We believe if there is love, care and charity, current challenges bedeviling the country will be solved.

    “I cannot quantify the amount being expended on the project in Naira and Kobo, but God has endowed me from fantastic friends.”

    On this year’s event, the law professor at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) said, “This year we are engaging the services of women to send out a message as we are in a conservative society. This is a society that does not recognise the potential in women.

    “This is to let the women here know that they can also be leaders. That is the philosophy we are promoting. We are going to be developing and nurturing girls that will be successful mothers and leaders.”

    Speaking, Chairperson of the occasion and former member, Ondo state House of Assembly Folajimi Olasehinde-Vincente said that “the existence of the organisation in our present Nigeria is a blessing and a relief to the entire citizenry.”

    She added that “the initiative annual charity scheme with the aim of uplifting the status of the less privileged has enhanced reduction in poverty and unemployment rate of the society through the provision of skills, capital, machines and equipment to the indigent members of the society, thus giving hope to both the youths and old alike.”

    The ex-lawmaker, who spoke on the topic “The role of non-governmental organisation in community development,” added that many NGOs in the country face the challenges of funding and shortage of volunteers.

  • 43 inmates freed in Jos

    There was a breath of fresh air for some inmates of Jos prison as a non-governmental organisation, Kefiano Global Concept, deployed resources to guarantee the freedom of 43 inmates.

    The lucky inmates had been behind bars for several years due to their inability to pay the fine imposed on them by the courts.

    The NGO simply volunteered and offset the various fines for the affected prisoners to gain their freedom.

    Mr Kefas Ropshik, Chairman/CEO Kefiano Global Concept said the gesture will not only give freedom to some people but also help to decongest the overcrowded Jos prison.

    The philanthropist paid N1 million which is the sum of the fines and compensations the convicts were to pay for their freedom.

    In his remarks, Ropshik said, “I was moved to give back to the society by assisting the needy, I have passion to help people who are helpless like widows, the sick and less privileged.

    On the freed prisoners, Ropshik said that it is human to give people a second chance by helping them, as some of them were misled by different reasons.

    “As a Christian I am moved by what the bible admonishes us to do: to assist the needy and visit those in prison. I want those who are privileged like government appointees to step in and assist because you must not be a millionaire and a billionaire before you can do charity work”.

    Ropshik advised the inmates not to see their time behind bars as a punishment but correction. The prison is meant to be a correction centre and not a punishment centre, and I believe some of you made some corrections within the period that you have been here. I believe you will not repeat whatever took you here, because I am going to be happier if you leave today and become better people in the society.

    “This is the second time in six months that I have helped inmates regain their freedom. The last time about 67 were freed and today 43 of you will be going home. I want to promise here that those inmates who have acquired skills while here will be given materials to start up their businesses to prevent them from going back to their crimes and also help them not be a nuisance to the society.

    Ropshik also promised to pay the registration fees for inmates that may be writing Senior Secondary School Examinations (SSCE) as a way of encouraging them.

    Mr Daniel Naanlong, representing Mikang Constituency in the Plateau House of Assembly, appreciated Ropshik for the gesture. Naanlong appealed to the freed inmates not to indulge in criminal acts that will bring them back to the prison.

    Mr Noel Ailewon, Comptroller, Jos Prisons, thanked Kefas Ropshik for the gesture and called on well-meaning Nigerians to emulate him. Ailewon who was represented by the Welfare Officer of Jos Prison, Mr Pius Pokyes, said that the prison was in dire need of assistance as government alone cannot provide everything.

  • NGO advocates for creation of state police, prison

    NGO advocates for creation of state police, prison

    Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE-Nigeria), a human rights and justice reform NGO, has called for the creation of state police and prisons in the country.

    Mr Sylvester Uhaa, the Executive Director of the organisation made the call in an interview with the Reporter on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said the call was in support of the recommendation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) panel on restructuring led by Gov. Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna State on devolution of powers to states.

    Uhaa said the creation of state police and prisons would help to strengthen the security situation of the country, particularly now that the country was undergoing security threats.

    ”We support state police because we believe it will lead to better performance of the police and to a more accountable, lawful and responsible force, to increase security and protection of lives and property.

    ”Experiences from the recent events around the country point to the reality that the current federal police is deficient and incapable of maintaining law and order and guarantee the protection of lives and property in Nigeria,” he said.

    According to him, the situation is similar with that of the prisons since the majority of the prison inmates in states are  indigenes of those states.

    Read Also: 2019: NGOs  back Buhari as Obasanjo’s coalition lands

    He said most of the prison inmates in states were in the prison for breach or alleged violation of the state offences.

    The executive director said state governments had shown little or no interest in the prison reforms which had resulted to the deteriorating conditions of prisons in the country.

    “For example, 98 per cent of inmates in the Medium Security Prison, Makurdi are indigenes of Benue but the state does little to achieve prison reform which is true of other states across the country,’’ he said.

    Uhaa said creation of state prisons would impose an obligation on the states to reform the criminal justice system and would ensure that the police did their work efficiently.

    He said that this would allow the judiciary to perform optimally where innocent persons would not be held in the prison for years without trial.

    According to him, no state will want to spend it resources feeding innocent people in the prison, who should have been feeding themselves, adding value to the society and economic growth of the state.

    NAN

  • NGO donates to refugees in Cross River

    NGO donates to refugees in Cross River

    Three hundred Cameroonians taking refuge at Okwangwo, a border community in Boki Local Government of Cross River State, have received relief materials from an Akwa Ibom State -based non-government organisation (NGO).

    Mr. John Inaku, director-general, Cross River Emergency Relief Agency (CR-SEMA), spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said that the materials were donated by Collective Development Initiative (CDI), in collaboration with Akwa Ibom State Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES), the pencils and toothpick production arm.

    Inaku said the materials were the first since their arrival about three months ago at the National Park, Okwangwo.

    The items include rice, noodles, soap, detergent, flakes, biscuit, notebooks and pencils.

    Inaku said other refugees, from crisis-prone neighbouring English-speaking parts of Cameroon, were in Ukwa 1, Ukwa 2 and Bashu communities.

    The director-general, who hailed the team for the magnanimity, said the donation would assist the refugees.

    He assured them that governments were concretising plans for a fuller intervention.

    A statement by Inaku said some refugees from the francophone country, who fled to parts of Cross River State, have not been attended to.

    It said the team arrived at Okwangwo after a two-hour journey from Ikom on motorbikes through bush paths and was warmly received by the refugees.

    Presenting the materials on behalf of the donors, Executive Director, CDI, Aniefiok Jimmy, said the donors considered the burden of the host community in caring for the unexpected visitors in the last three months.

    Aniefiok said it was disheartening that more than 200 children were out of school because of the displacement, while their parents could barely fend for themselves.

    According to him, the world is not aware of the humanitarian crisis in Okwangwo and other communities hosting refugees, hence the lukewarm response to their plight.

    He appealed to organisations, especially the United Nations, as well as governments to intervene.

    Aniefiok feared that humanitarian crises caused by influx of refugees from Cameroon to the area could degenerate, if left unattended.

    He promised to mobilise for more relief materials, saying “the token’’ donated was just a preamble and an opportunity to assess the situation.

    The General Manager of AKEES, Mr. Bassey Friday, said his organisation would take interest in educating the displaced children by giving them notebooks and pencils.

    Receiving the materials, Chairman of Okwangwo community, Chief Cyprian Oki, described the donation as a relief to the refugees and community.

    He said the community had been fending for them since their arrival about three months ago.

  • NGO moves to restore peace in Southern Kaduna

    NGO moves to restore peace in Southern Kaduna

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation, has promised to ensure that lasting peace is restored in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State.

    Its founder, Mr Yohanna Buru, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna yesterday.

    Buru said: “Peace Revival is out for reconciliation mission within the Hausas and Hausa Fulani Muslims and Christians, not only within Southern Kaduna but all over the country. This is a thing of concern and that is why we are doing what we are doing.’’

    Buru said the NGO had been working hard to restore lasting peace in the area.

    “We advise the government and we are hoping that we will see positive results coming from the government’s end,’’ he said.

    According to him, the people of Southern Kaduna, who spoke with the organisation during their peace mission to the area, complained that they were being marginalised in terms of appointments and development.

    He urged the state government to involve the local people in its peace and reconciliation programmes.

     

  • CISLAC urges FG to end herders/farmers clashes

    CISLAC urges FG to end herders/farmers clashes

    Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has urged the Federal and State Governments to take decisive measures to halt herders and farmers conflicts.

    Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, made the call at a news briefing on the state-of-the-nation in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said that the crisis between the two groups could put Nigeria’s peace and unity in jeopardy.

    Rafsanjani expressed the NGO’s displeasure at non-implementation of reports of panels and commissions of inquiries on conflicts between pastoralists and sedentary communities by successive administrations.

    He said that the responsibility of government in protecting lives and property of farmers in some places and herders in other places had not been discharged with seriousness.

    He maintained that the escalation of the conflict between herders and farmers was the direct consequence of the collapse of traditional conflict resolution mechanism.

    According to the director, failure on the part of relevant authorities to challenge the negative attitude and atrocities of the two groups further paved the way for the duo to take law into their hands.

    Read Also:  CISLAC  urges FG to establish trust fund for recovered loot

    He said that there should be a consultative process with the federal, state and local governments, including community leaders to develop long-term policy that would address the concerns of all parties.

    “There is the need for paradigm shift in policy-making from conflict resolution to conflict prevention strategy.

    “Conflicts could be prevented through collective understanding and acceptance of causes of conflict with inclusion of all resources and users in the process.

    “This could follow by establishing rules over natural resources use and enforcing them, collective acceptance of such rules and continuous negotiation on divergent demands.’’

    Rafsanjani said that the group also recommended the provision of legal assistance to conflicting parties and educating the parties on channels of challenging injustice and grievances.

    He stressed the need to overcome widespread marginalisation of farmers and herders in policy-making and implementation in some societies, and provide support for livelihood to conflict affected households.

    Also speaking, Mr Okeke Anya, Senior Programme Officer, CISLAC, said that the group was worried over rising cases of kidnapping in the country.

    Anya said that the group was also concerned about the feeling of insecurity that had posed a threat to national and international investment opportunities.

    He said that it was more disheartening that the security agencies appeared helpless in addressing the situation.
    The programme officer urged the agencies to deploy all resources at their disposal to stop kidnapping of fellow Nigerians and foreigners.

    He advised that security agencies should deploy intelligence in checking criminality and end impunity of government officials. NAN

  • ‘Integrate HR in curriculum now’

    A non-governmental organisation, Support Bridges Initiative, has urged government to restructure secondary school curriculum with career and HR needs.

    The NGO laments that most secondary school students fail to understand the requisite skills they need to rub shoulders in an already saturated labour market. This leaves them either completely ignorant or ill equipped to confront such challenging undertaking when the need eventually arises in future.

    This was disclosed by the NGO which celebrated its 12th silver jubilee anniversary at Dolphin Senior Secondary School, Lagos Island on Thursday last week. The event was themed:  ‘Matching Secondary school curriculum with career and HR needs in Nigeria.’

    Support Bridges Initiative was established in 2005 to cater for teenagers between ages 13-19, by helping them develop their talents and empowering them to make career choice.  Generally, the idea is to bridge the gap in order to enable students make right contributions.

    Mr Niyi Obaremi, a member of the Support Bridges Initiative, enjoined government to partner with the NGO in the aforementioned task by making provision for them in the curriculum.

    He said: “Government should ensure that what sells in the market, that is the HR market, such as how to attend interviews, job applications etc that are not in the school curricula are provided to students. There is the need to provide skills and capacities to compete for positions when they leave school.

    “It is also important for school authorities to keep pace with what is going on in the HR in companies, and government establishments. What are the requirements of these establishments? What is the population, so they can look at those things and structure the school curriculum to fit them therefore empowering the children in that way,” Obaremi.

    Mrs Yinka Ogunde, of Edumark, an education consulting firm, presented a talk on how to match secondary school curriculum with career and HR needs for societal benefit.

    “The thing is to ensure that very early in the stages of development, our children are mentored and guided to achieve their aspirations, to know their true potentials and achieve those potentials in life before said Mrs Ogunde.

    Ogunde who was a keynote speaker, emphasised education as the’ best gift your parents can give to you,’ urging parents not to compromised that role.

    The event also featured with Mathematics and IQ competition by senior secondary schools as well as spelling bees by the junior arms. In the end, Abel Akanyato from Falomo Junior High School won the third position in spelling bee. Second position was claimed by Reis Ridwan from Okesuna Junior secondary school, while Abdiuganiu Nurudeen from EkoAkete Junior Secondary School dwarfed the duo.