The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)

  • Taraba crisis: NGO urges joint effort to enthrone peace

    The GilbertNyanganji Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation ( NGO ), has called on people of Taraba to support efforts by both the state and Federal Governments aimed at restoring peace to the state.

    Founder of the organisation, Mr Gilbert Nyanganji made the call at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to him, there is nothing heroic, wise or worthy of praise about mass conflict and violence.

    Nyangaji, however, applauded the efforts of Gov. Darius Ishaku for steering the affairs of the various State and Federal Government commissions to ensure peace in Taraba.

    He also commended the governor’s dedication to finding lasting solutions to the crisis in the state.

    Nyangaji noted that different areas in the state had witnessed several ethnic clashes, dating back to the 70s between farmers and herders across the state.

    He added that each round of such violence had led to the next with no successful resolution of the crisis.

    Nyangaji noted that in June 2017, a similar ethnic clash erupted on the Mambilla which affected 13 communities including: Kwarakwara, Mayo, Ndaga, Nguroje, Dorofi, Tamyo, Hainare, and Chabbal Peluwaje among others.

    “Another clash erupted in March this year, affecting the Nyiwa, Maisamari, Yalwa, Karim-Lamido, Gassol, Takum, Wukari and Lau communities.

    “This circle of violence is now a reality for the people of Taraba and should not be the norm in the state,´´ he said.

    Nyanganji added that the issues that caused the seeming unending violence in the state, does not defy negotiation and reconciliation, adding that if violence was the solution, those issues would have been long resolved.

    He, therefore, said that there was a strong need for a better course of action, especially as violence in the state had escalated presently.

    Read Also: ‘New Taraba’ endorses Umar for 2019 governorship

    “It is time to chart the course of engagement and dialogue, these killings will continue if we do not sit down to talk, and to think.

    “They will solve nothing and we will only aggravate the animosity among us, especially among our youths and children.

    “Experience has taught us across the world to understand that non violent conflict resolution informed by mutual compassion is the far better option, ´´ he said.

    Nyanganji said this necessitated GilbertNyanganji Foundation to launch the `THINK’ campaign for peace and dialogue in Taraba.

    According to him, the THINK campaign will be a series of engagements across Taraba to encourage grassroots support for ongoing efforts by both the Federal and State Governments´ constituted conflict resolution commissions.

    “Our aim is that following these engagements, the sons and daughters of Taraba would choose a different course of action.

    “People should drop their various tools of violence and think about our actions and their repercussion, and embrace peaceful settlement of our differences,’’ he said.

    Nyanganji said that the THINK campaign had begun the production and distribution of campaign posters and handbills across the state for sensitisation on the need to embrace peace.

    NAN

  • 2019 : NGO tasks INEC on credible elections in Ebonyi

    2019 : NGO tasks INEC on credible elections in Ebonyi

    An Ebonyi based non-governmental organisation (NGO ), Advocacy For Good Governance, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to conduct free, fair and credible general elections in Ebonyi in 2019.

    Mr Okenwa Uka, the Coordinator of the NGO made the appeal at a media briefing on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

    According to him, the enthronement of responsible and credible leadership is achievable if the processes leading to the emergence of those leaders are free, fair and devoid of manipulation or undue interference.

    Ukah  urged INEC to shun acts that could derail the smooth conduct of the elections in Ebonyi and ensure that people’s vote counted.

    He said that the group has embarked on sensitisation of the electorate to ensure that eligible voters in the state participated in the electoral process, especially in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    “We are committed to ensuring that only credible, good and service oriented leaders emerged in the forthcoming 2019 general elections in Ebonyi.

    Read Also: INEC  ‘ll obey timely, legitimate Electoral Act amendment’

    “We have organised series of symposia, seminars and sensitisation campaigns to educate, sensitise and mobilise our people to take active part in the election of their representatives.

    “Good governance begins with the people taking active stand against emergence of corrupt, non-credible, wicked leaders; and the only way to do this is by active involvement in the electoral process.

    “We are appealing to INEC to ensure that the 2019 general elections were not only free, fair and credible but also to ensure that leaders emerged through popular votes,” Uka said.

    He appealed to all residents of the state who were yet to register to take advantage of the ongoing CVR to register and obtain their voter cards.

    He also urged those whose Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were either lost, defaced or have changed residency to go to INEC for update.

    “We are using this medium to appeal to every eligible electorate in the state who have lost their PVCs or whose PVCs are defaced to approach any INEC office nearest to them to have their PVCs updated.

    “The desire of our group is to ensure that no qualified adult voter is left out in the process of choosing our next political representatives in 2019, and we are committed to the ideal, “he added.

    NAN

  • Calls for child adoption heighten

    Calls for child adoption heighten

    In its bid to end a situation in which thousands of children are abandoned, abused, trafficked and in some cases killed by ritualists, the Heritage Adoption Support and Advocacy Group (HASAAG), an offshoot of The Heritage Homes Orphanage, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has said it is determined to make a difference by rescuing as many children as it can and help to settle in loving homes through adoption.

    At its first annual conference, tagged ‘The Power of Adoption’, held on October 28 at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the founder, Heritage Homes Orphanage, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, said HASAAG aims at changing the negative perception of adoption in the society and render support to prospective adopters, adoptive parents and adoptees.

    According to him, adoption is the solution to the growing problem of abandoned and vulnerable children in the society. The process will making thousands of homeless children to be settled in loving homes.

    “Adoption would depopulate our streets of children who can easily fall prey to all kinds of vices and become criminals and ultimately a threat to the society. Adoption transforms the lives of both childless couples and adopted children. Through adoption, loving and caring parents are able to fulfill a lifelong desire of having their own child. The culture of shame and stigma associated with adoption in our society must stop.”

    He said adoption can be embraced by people who have biological children, but they should have the heart and resources to take another child off the street.

    He appealed to all government authorities to make it easier for people to adopt children without compromising on the stringent checks and balances to prevent trafficking.

    He called for the co-operation of religious organisations, government and non-governmental organisations (NGO), corporate entities, the press and all Nigerians to take it as a collective responsibility to promote adoption.

    He also called on the Federal Government to establish uniform law to govern adoption.

    “States who are yet to enact the Child’s Right Act should do so. States who are yet to fully establish ministry and structure for regulating adoption should do so. Adoption process should be made easier and more accessible to all Nigerians,” he said.

    He added that government and all security agencies should make measures possible to stop killings of children.

    “The use of children by their parents and guardians for commercial purposes should stop and all those who abuse children sexually, mentally and emotionally must be brought before the law and if found guilty should face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

    Also speaking at the event, a representative from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mr. Wilifred Mamah, who spoke on “Save a Child, Save a Nation”, noted that every child must be given the opportunity to thrive.

    According to him, a child is a bundle of possibility, sufficiency, hope, and should be treasured and celebrated.

    “The Child’s Right Law of Lagos 2015 makes its mission clear that a child is someone under 18.  The issue of child labour, abandonment, marriages and adoption are to be dealt with. Why do we continue to experience the issue of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect despite culture and the laws?”

    “To develop a nation, children must be empowered because they are the future and treasure of any nation, and they are mechanisms for strengthening and developing any country,” he said.

    Addressing the challenges of adoption in our society, Mrs Bridget Itsueli, a Public speaker, said culture is the main challenge to adoption in the society.

    She said: “We are sentimental about children; when girls are pregnant or those who cannot afford to take care of their children have children, rather than encourage them to find a solution that is workable, we force them to keep the children and this has negative result on them.

    “A girl that cannot take care of a baby has no right to keep the baby. It is the right of children to live good lives and their future is important.

    “We need to change the mindset regarding adoption; because being a parent is not about the swelling of the womb and the sperm, rather it is about looking after a child,” she said.

    An adoption expert, Mrs Bami Obasanya, spoke on “The Basis of Adoption Everyone Should Know”.

    She said adopters must be ready, and have the ability to accept the child into their heart, home and family.

    “To adopt a child is forming an artificial family and not a natural one. It is important to inform your family on what you have decided to do. Adoption requires training, change of mindset and the desire to adopt and parent.

    “Adoption is a lifelong commitment and it needs generosity and care. You are to tell the adopted children they are adopted from age two or as soon as you adopt them. Tell them in bits and never speak against their birth parents,” she said.

    A representative from the Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Welfare, Mr Oluwatoyin Kotun explained the adoption process, saying culture has made us not to accept adoption, but government has put a policy in place that would encourage people to adopt.

    Adopters, he said, must know why they want to adopt, be ready for the responsibility and its financial implications.

    Wife of the Vice-President, Dolapo Osinbajo urged Nigerians to adopt.

    “We must choose to fight the negativity that is around adoption and raise our voice to speak out against the stigma, uncertainty and fear attached to adoption.

     

  • Plateau LG Polls: NGO trains security personnel

    Plateau LG Polls: NGO trains security personnel

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) is training security personnel on how best to conduct themselves securing  elections, as Plateau prepares for Local Government elections.

    Mr Nelson Ananze, Acting Executive Director, Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP), said that the two-day training in Jos, was to help security personnel to be professional in their conducts before, during and after elections.

    Ananze said that the training was also targeted at creating harmony between the security and citizens, especially women, youths and the physically challenged so that none is deprived of exercising his/her civic right.

    “The training is also to acquaint them (security personnel) with the election laws.

    “They need to know how to handle people, especially those with disability and how to handle situation during the exercise.

    “A situation room will be set up to share information, and address security challenges peacefully and in time so that everyone can contribute to the success of the election.”

    Read Also: Plateau youths urged to play positive role in election

    The director said that the initiative by CAPP was to ensure a credible election devoid of intimidation of voters by security personnel.

    According to him, the NGO has mechanism in place to monitor the impact of the training on security agencies in the forthcoming local government polls in Plateau slated for February 17, 2018.

    Mrs Chinyere Okorie and Mr Planji Cishak both staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented a paper on “Safeguarding the Electoral Process: The Role of Security Agencies”

    The officials said that security agencies, particularly the police and the civil defense were saddled with the role of maintaining law and order during elections.

    “They are also to checkmate those who are deliberately out to perpetuate violence and election rigging.

    “In carrying out these functions, they often encounter series of challenge.

    “However, some of them have also been seen to compromise their position by been bribed to take side by the politicians who propagate rigging during elections,”.

    According to them, the risk of violence sometimes inhibit voter turnout, limit political campaign movements.

    The officials commended CAPP for the initiative, which they said will boost political participation and enhance the entire electoral processes.

    They told the security personnel to effectively remain absolutely neutral and professional in dealing with all parties during elections

    “There should be zero tolerance for disrespect to the law and the disregard of the constitutional and civil right of citizens, voters and contestants alike.

    “The security agencies or agents must not be seen to be propagating or espousing the interest or agenda of any politician or political party,”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the security personnel trained were those of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

  • NGO distributes condoms, empowers 200 people in Port Harcourt

    NGO distributes condoms, empowers 200 people in Port Harcourt

    A Non-Governmental Organisation ( NGO ),Minds Development Initiative, on Thursday, said it trained and empowered more than 200 people in different fields.

    Its Director-General, Dr Constance Amad said this in Port Harcourt on Thursday that the organisation focused on assisting underprivileged persons.

    The members the eight-year-old organisation, in a roadshow on major roads and streets in Port Harcourt, distributed condoms to residents.

    Amadi said that the condoms were worth N1.6 million, adding that the organisation also
    bought and distributed wheel chairs to physically challenged persons.

    According to her, the distribution of condoms is to save the live of residents who cannot abstain from having sex.

    She said the organisation had branches in all states of the federation except Gombe State, where the head was allegedly murdered by Boko Haram terrorists.

    The director-general said that the roadshow was to create awareness about the existence of the group and to mark its eighth anniversary.

    She added that the organisation had carried out free medical services in local communities in the country.

    Read Also: NGO provides shelter to 99 indigent children in Plateau

    NAN

  • INEC, others kick against Political Debate Commission bill

    INEC, others kick against Political Debate Commission bill

    Attempts by the Senate to establish a Nigerian Political Party Debate Commission is being resisted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders.

    At a public hearing on the bill on Wednesday, the stakeholders described the envisaged commission as superfluous and diversionary.

    The Senate had in October last year, passed for second reading the bill entitled, “Nigerian Political Debates Commission Bill, 2015, sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari.

    Senator Buhari had argued that if passed, “the bill would make it mandatory for those seeking election as president, governors, lawmakers and other elective positions, including their running mates, would have to go through a debate, which would be organised by a the commission to be funded by government and headship of which to be appointed by a sitting President”

    However, stakeholders in the electoral process at the public hearing session vehemently opposed the idea of setting up the commission, which they described unnecessary burden on the nation’s resources.

    INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu who was the first to kick against the bill, said although the election debate platform was a welcome development for the deepening of democratic practice, making such a platform to be a full fledge commission to be funded by government will be counterproductive.

    Yabuku said, “The idea of a solid platform for election debate in Nigeria as it is in the United States of America and some other countries of the world is a welcome development for our democracy and electoral processes.

    “But making such platform to be like a statutory commission would not help in achieving the motive behind the lofty idea.

    “To us in INEC, such a platform should be allowed to remain in form of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that would be funded by corporate bodies in the land and managed by independent and non-partisan Nigerians with outstanding character and repute”.

    Similarly, the President of the Nigeria Political Science Association, Professor Sam Egwu, also backed the position of the INEC chairman.

    According to him, that the platform for such debate should be independent and not a commission that would be funded by government.

    Egwu added that such a move would not only be counter-productive to the desired goal, but would also rubbish the electoral process.

    The President of the Senate, D. Bukola Saraki in his opening address at the session, stated that law making is an all-encompassing process where input of stakeholders and the public is imperative.

    According to him, the bill, if passed into law, will enable the Nigerian electorate vote for the best candidates at the various elections.

  • NGO lament rising incidences of child sexual abuse

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Love Clinic has raised the alarm over the increasing rate in child sexual abuse in the country and called for collaborative efforts to curb the menace.

    The founder of the group, Mrs Tope Abiara who stated this during a seminar the group organised in Ibadan entitled “Protecting your child against sexual abuse” noted that sexual abuse of minors should be a cause for concern to us all.

    The 15 years marriage counsellor described child sexual abuse as a form of child abuse in which an adult used a child for sexual stimulation, adding that the law did not provide adequate time to prosecute offenders.

    Abiara said that lack of forensic evidence, inability of parents to allow their wards to testify and social stigma were the major constrains in prosecuting offenders.

    “Whether we are related to the victims or not, we should all be actively involved in its condemnation and prevention. When we condemn sexual perversion in strong terms, the perpetrators become uncomfortable and keep off,’’ she said

    She said the seminar is designed to assist in gaining knowledge to protect children against sexual abuse.

    “There is high rise in the sexual abuse in children. It is more rampant in Oyo and Lagos States. Most of the cases are not even reported. Parents need to protect their children because they are the ones that can protect their children very well. There are so many cases that have been reported in the media.

    “For instance a 9 year was defiled by 13 year old, 2 year defiled by 4 years old, a man raping his 10 years old niece, 29 years man raping 6 years old girl. There are different types of sexual abuses which include; non-genital touching, genital touching, penetrative. 95 percent of child sexual abuses go unreported because of fear of stigmatization, and 90 percent of child abuse victims know their abuser.

    ‎Abiara listed some of the effects as severe distress, fear, shame, stigmatisation, discrimination and other physical and psychological health issues.

    She said:” Child sexual abuse occurs all over the world. But its phenomenal growth over the years in Nigeria leaves much to be desired. Parents are primarily the custodians of the children. They should help prevent the child from sexual abuse.

    “Some parents do not want to talk about sex education and this is a subject that needs to be addressed. They have to teach them about issues on sexuality because these children are being exposed to different images through the internet, television and newspapers,’’ she said.

    On how to prevent it, he said parents should know the signs, keep communication line open, know their friends, get to know what they know, be careful of accommodating family/strangers and always spend time with their children.

    During cases of discovery of sexual abuse, ‎Abiara said parents should believe their child, be supportive, stay calm, be caring, face the problem, re-establish safety, get help and do not despair.

     

  • Magu’s rejection push-back against anti-corruption fight – NGO

    Magu’s rejection push-back against anti-corruption fight – NGO

    Partners for Electoral Reform (PER), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) said Senate’s rejection of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was a setback to anti-corruption fight.

    Chairman of the organisation, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the issue was not to glorify anyone as sole corruption fighter as it was being demonstrated.

    He said that it was clear that Magu came with purpose and courage and that his determination to curb corruption was strong.

    Nwagwu said that what was happening was “corruption fighting back’’.

    “The National Assembly, especially the Senate, has become an extension of the Governors’ Forum; majority of these governors are under investigation.

    “In fact, the Senate President’s wife is under investigation and the courage to fight is only coming from the present leadership of the EFCC.

    “So, to ask that the same body to be the one confirming the man who has put them on the spot is illusionary; secondly, there are issues around the bailout funds and it’s a huge scandal that is erupting.

    “The national assembly, many of them are former governors and have been implicated in it and what that means is that if you allow Magu, many of them will be rubbished with the kind of courage he has.

    “So, there are issues around whether the presidency didn’t know about the report of the DSS and all of those things are palace intrigues.

    “I call it palace intrigues because the conflict between EFCC and the DSS is about inter-agency rivalry that Nigeria is known for and all the pettiness that goes with it is what is playing out and nothing more,’’ he said.

    Nwagwu said that he expected the senate to take itself above pettiness and act in a statesman’s manner for the good of the country.

    He said that those who conceived the idea of the different arms of government checking the other never thought of a situation where persons in one arm would be those who were being investigated by another arm.

    “That is the challenge now and for me, the day he was rejected was a sad day for Nigeria, yet people are saying it was because he did not perform well at the national assembly,’’ he said.

    The NGO boss said that the gift of the garb was not a condition for diligence or performance as they were many people who could not communicate well yet came top in class.

    He said that Magu’s rejection was a deep conspiracy against the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria and nothing more.

    However, Mr Festus Okoye, Executive Director, Human Rights Monitor, said that there was no mystery or mistake to Magu’s rejection by the senate.

    Okoye said that the Constitution of Nigeria recognised duality of power and did not give the president of the country the power and authority to be the sole decision maker in relation to appointments.

    “What it has done is to give the president the power of nomination and to the senate, the power of confirmation of the nomination.

    “The powers being welded by the executive in terms of nomination and the powers being welded by the senate in terms of confirmation are the powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “So, if the organ given the power to confirm says the person has failed an integrity test, I do not see why we should not sleep because of it.

    “Secondly, I think it is incongruous and a disservice to our democracy for us to wrap our institutions around individuals, for us to insist that only one individual can do the job of fighting corruption in Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Okoye said that rather than insist on breaching the Constitution and that only one individual could do the job, Nigeria should return to the drawing board and do what was right.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari, in his wisdom, should nominate somebody else to take that position, adding that Magu’s rejection may not be because the “lawmakers has skeleton in their cupboard’’.

    Okoye said that since Magu failed the integrity test involving issues of corruption and abuse of office, it was not right to claim that he was rejected because the lawmakers were corrupt.

    Mr Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), said that the national assembly had liberty to take any action it dimmed fit in its statutory responsibility.

    Nwankwo said “if the national assembly rejected Magu based on integrity report, so be it; it should not be an issue at all.’’

    On his part, a lawyer, Mr Frank Tietie, said that Magu’s rejection was a welcomed development towards choosing leaders to head major institutions.

    According to Tietie, who is Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), since Magu has been implicated in corruption case, there is a case against his integrity.