The Nation Newspaper

Tag: non-governmental organisation

  • Teenage pregnancy: Tackling social malaise through skills acquisition

    From all fronts, the society is bedeviled by several social ills. They range from robbery, kidnapping, cybercrime, cultism, examination malpractices and teenage pregnancy. As efforts are being made by government at all levels and other stakeholders to deal with these social vices, MIKE ODIEGWU reports that in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Girl Preneur 9ja (GP9ja), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) is particularly worried about teenage pregnancy. In the circumstances, it has organised skills acquisition programmes through which they will realise their potential and become fulfilled in life.

    Miss Ebiladei Mike is seven years old. At her age, she makes good bags and shoes. She is excited that she can make school bags and sandals for herself, her mother and her sister. With the resilient spirit of a true Ijaw girl, Ebiladei learnt her craft in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital in a skills acquisition programme organised by Girl Preneur 9ja (GP9ja), a non-governmental organization (NGO).

    “It was a rare opportunity that I took with both hands. I was not supposed to attend the programme. My elder sister brought the flier home and I decided to follow her to the venue of the training.

    “On getting there, Madam Cynthia Oye was surprised. She saw me and wondered what I came to do at the venue. We got talking and she allowed me to learn with others. I went through the list of skills and I chose shoes and bag-making”, the little Ebiladei said.

    Cynthia Oye provided the opportunity. She added GP9ja as part of programmes and activities of her consulting firm, Procot Management Concept (PMC). Oye, who is the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Consultant (PMC) said she founded GP9ja following her observations of the challenges women experience on the streets of Yenagoa.

    She lamented the vulnerability of the girl child and lack of opportunities for female children to live their dreams. She noted that the unsavoury situation had led to increasing cases of teenage pregnancies.

    “If one moves around Yenagoa, one will notice young girls who are expectant mothers. The unpleasant situation was a source of worry to me and I began to think about what to do in order to ameliorate the trend. Since I don’t have the capacity to do what the government and multinationals can do, I decided to come up with a model that can help take these girls out of the streets.

    “Our aim is to identify some of these girls and create an opportunity for them through which they could be empowered so as to help them to realise their potential and become fulfilled in life.

    The model is to make them resourceful and independent people by mentoring them to become business owners.

    “We all know that there is no job out there but most of them are endowed with skills. But what they lack is an opportunity to discover these skills. That opportunity is what we are providing,” she said.

    Niger Delta Report learnt that throughout the period of the training, the girls were enthusiastic so much so that they had to attend all sessions. They were full of joy as they participated in various responsibilities assigned to them. They demonstrated that Bayelsa women are not lazy but willing to maximise any opportunity provided for them.

    They chose from a wide range of skills provided by the organisers of the programme. The skills provided were fashion and design, bead-making, shoe making and making bags with ankara, make-up artistry, culinary arts, baking and confectionery.

    Oye said the beneficiaries were subjected to periodic examinations to underscore the seriousness of the programme. She also said they were taught essentials of business management, customer relations and book keeping.

    “Within two weeks; they could talk about business plan and customer service because we took our time to teach them about all those issues. They were in classes even on weekends,” she said.

    The CEO said she had been able to give free training to 45 girls, even as she noted that when the invitations were sent out, only interested girls within the age bracket of 15 to 22 years were requested to indicate interest. But she observed that some girls above 25 years pleaded to be allowed to benefit from the programme.

    “I was particularly impressed by the zeal displayed by that seven-year-old girl, Ebikadei Mike. She came with her elder sister and begged to be accommodated. I had some chat with her and decided to allow her in. She was punctual and ended up as one of the best in her class,” she said.

    Oye said following the success of the first edition of the training, she would like to expand the next edition so as to accommodate more people. She appealed to philanthropists, corporate organisations and multinationals and the government to support the project which empowers the girl child.

    “Everything we did was free. I had to do everything from my little resources and with little assistance from few people. It was taxing but each time I thought about the joy the participants derived from the programme, I felt fulfilled. We hope that more people will show keen interest in the programme. Then we will be able to provide more opportunities by expanding the programme,” she said.

    On what motivated her to embark on the gesture, she said: “We know that females are subjected to unwanted pregnancies, rapes and other social problems. If we have them engaged meaningfully, the level of cases will reduce.

    “So, being from Bayelsa State, I thought it wise to start from home and this is the first edition of the programme. It is totally free. If we regard the situation as appalling, then we should be able to proffer solutions to them.

    “Soon it will be a seasonal event. We hope, by God’s grace, that we will have four seasons every year. This season’s event is in Yenagoa. We don’t know where we will hold season two. It can be anywhere because we want to take the event to everywhere part of the country.

    “I am thrilled by the way the young ones have access to information these days. We didn’t go door-to-door. We had it on social media, website and flyers in few places. Initially, there was an age bracket of 15-22 but we saw people who are 23 and 25 then we decided to extend the age bracket”.

    The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson visited the training centre. He commended Oye for her initiative and reiterated government’s commitment to create job opportunities for young people.

    He said the recent employment of 1,000 people into the state civil service and the huge investment it had made in the education sector was evidence of government’s deliberate efforts to secure the future of young people of Bayelsa.

    Iworiso-Markson expressed his joy that the girls acquired various skills which would transform their lives and make them self-reliant. He said the skills would keep the girls away from social vices and illicit conducts.

    He urged the girls to practice what they had learnt at the programme,  promising to provide some form of support to ensure they start up their own businesses immediately after the training programme.

    He said: “I am excited coming here and seeing what is happening. With programmes such as this, we will have a reduction in teenage pregnancy and social vices. I want to encourage you all to take this training serious.

    “You are the future of Bayelsa and the future millionaires if you are willing to work hard. This opportunity you have now will determine that. For us as government, we have been trying with the investment we are making in education and the recent employment of 1,000 people. I am sure most of you are aware of what we have done at St. Jude’s.

    “I want to thank the organisers of this programme. In my own little way, I will support these girls by providing little start-ups to enable them to begin their own businesses.”

    At the end of the training, Oye and her outfit prepared the beneficiaries. She organised a workshop with a theme, “Awakening the Entrepreneur in You”. Resource persons were invited to motivate the ladies and instill confidence in them. She also gave awards to the best among the participants and starter parks to the beneficiaries.

    Speaking at the workshop, the Business Development Manager, Yah-doubra More-rich Parker described the girl child as the vulnerable ones in the society, even as she said the programme brought out the potential in the girls.

    She stated that the girls would henceforth become independent and resourceful in the society. She also called on well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to partner with GP9ja to train more girls.

    Also speaking, one of the guests, Mr. Jackresse Isang praised Oye and her team for their efforts. He appealed to the government, multinationals and other corporate organisations to get involved in the project in order to better the society.

    He said: “I want to thank them for giving these young women a wonderful opportunity. They have become entrepreneurs and good citizens of Bayelsa and Nigeria. I want to encourage us all to support effort such as this. There are a lot of people who need to be empowered. When you empower women or the girl child you are empowering the country and making us a great nation”.

    The beneficiaries commended Oye and her team. The little Ebikadei said: “I feel very happy. I chose bag and shoe making so that I can make bags for my sister and my mum. My mum will no longer buy school bags for me. I will make all my school bags now.”

    One Gbaranma Timinipre, who emerged winner as the best business planner thanked the Procot Management for helping them fulfill their dreams. But the Operation Manager, Miebi Great Tiedo urged them to cherish and practice all that they had learnt in their businesses.

  • Manual against sexual violence unveiled in Lagos

    A Non-Governmental Organisation, Centre for the Advancement and Protection of The Rights Of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS-VP), has unveiled two manuals on sexual violence and juvenile delinquency for schools in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos.

    It said the manuals will support teachers, counsellors and parents in the treatment of vulnerable issues and ensure they remain effective and efficient support base for pupils.

    The unveiling coincided with the closing of Voices of Freedom project by CAPRIGHTS-VP, and handing over of the project to the participating schools.

    Read Also: Sexual violence: Women across the globe tell their stories

    Programme manager for CAPRIGHT Clara Kanu urged the pupils to speak against sexual abuse, bullying within or outside the school.

    She urged school authorities to support the pupils in making their voices heard.

    Kanu also implored the Lagos State Education Board to facilitate the adoption of Voices of Freedom platform in other schools and ensure that copies of the guidelines are handed over to them.

    She said: “Our original plan was to pilot this project within government secondary schools but this is an opportunity to relaunch the partnership opportunity with government schools.

    “With the commitment of the Education Board, CAPRIGHT team will be standing by to provide the necessary support that will ensure that the brilliant impact of this project is not limited only to schools in Alimosho.

    “I, therefore, challenge the schools, especially the pupils, to keep the light shining, let the platform become more formidable than it is today and a force to reckon with both within and outside Alimosho Local Government Area.”

  • NGO raises awareness on adolescents’ reproductive health rights

    The Breaking All Barriers (BAB) project, a non-governmental organisation(NGO) advocating the rights of people with special needs, has called for enlightenment on sexuality education for adolescents with disabilities.

    To this effect, a multi-stakeholders programme for the sexual and reproductive health rights of young persons with disabilities was organised by the Festus Fajemilo Foundation (FFF) in collaboration with Centre for Youth Studies.

    The ceremony, which held in Agege, Lagos, raised awareness about sexual and reproductive health rights and challenges for young persons with disabilities. It was sponsored by VOICE/OXFAM.

    A peer educator from Modupe Cole Memorial School, Mr. Olusola Michael, who spoke on sexuality education, advised people with special needs on how to safeguard their body against abuse, advising that understanding their temperament and body as it grows and having a good self-image matter.

    FFF Executive Director, Afolabi Fajemilo, highlighted the achievements of the BAB project and promised to do more. “Of the 21 planned training of guidance and counsellors, we were able to train 20 counsellors from private secondary schools in Agege education district; we trained 170 adolescent advocates in 17 schools out of the planned 210 from 21 secondary schools; trained 12 YPWDs as advocates and peer educators; raised 262 more advocates for the SRH rights of YPWDs,” he said.

    Fajemilo said the BAB project is about breaking all barriers and correcting the wrong perception around issues of disabilities. “It actually focuses on creating awareness for sexual and reproduction health rights of young persons with disabilities. We used a very unique approach in training young ones in secondary schools whom we refer to in this project as adolescent advocates. They, in turn, train their age group with disabilities to become adolescent advocates of their own rights laying emphasis on sexual and reproductive health rights.

    “Our achievement includes training young ones and in all the 17 schools we have worked with since the commencement of this project, we have nine of those schools who have started admitting children with disabilities, the advocates that we have trained have become role models in their various schools. In fact, there is what we call a ‘BAB spirit,” he said.

    Fajemilo also lamented how children with disabilities were being abused by their parents and assured that a positive attitude can be created with the right perception towards children with disabilities.

    Certificates were presented to advocates of BABS from various schools in the Agege educational district.

  • Group urges President Buhari to sign digital rights Bill

    The African Civil Society for the Information Society (ACSIS), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give presidential assent to the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill.

    Mr Peter Akinyemi, ACSIS West Africa Regional Coordinator, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

    NAN reports that the bill was transmitted to the president on Feb. 5, by the National Assembly.

    Akinyemi said timely assent to the bill would protect rights of every Nigerian on the internet and strengthen the security within the nation’s cyberspace.

    According to him, this digital rights and freedom bill will effectively protect the rights of Nigerians on the internet and in the digital environment.

    “It will also attract investments when the investors see that the environment is safe.

    “The bill will provide a comprehensive framework for the advancement, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the internet.

    “This is very necessary in consistence with Nigeria’s regional and international obligations under various international human rights instruments,’’ he said.

    Akinyemi also called on the Federal Government “to priotise ICT, come up with workable and inclusive framework and policies and strive for more PPP engagements.”

    According to the regional coordinator, this will create enabling environment for the technology sector and ensure that government services are driven in a digital economy.

    He said ACSIS, which was established in 2003 as a Pan-African civil society organisation, has membership of over 500 around the world.

    NAN reports that the bill, which has been in the National Assembly since 2016, was passed by both Senate and House of Representatives in 2018. (NAN)

  • Group takes cinema to children on World Book Day

    To celebrate World Book Day, The Young Bookworms, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that seeks to increase access to education for less-privileged children in the society, held a school community cinema screening at Takwa Bay.

    Project Consultant, The Young Bookworms, Miss Lola James, said the aim of the movie screening was to inspire the less-privileged children to look beyond their immediate environment to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

    “Through this initiative, we screen inspirational movies to less-advantaged pupils in grassroots communities to inspire them to remain relentless in their pursuit of their dreams in life,” she said.

    Miss James, a Public Health professional, said the group planned to screen four movies annually – one per quarter – in each of the communities it works in.

    She said the group has worked in Makoko, Tarkwa Bay, Yaba and Ijero areas of Lagos.

    Over 110 pupils from four primary schools watched Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson story, at the Takwa Bay Town Hall.

    She said the movie tells the story of how young Ben Carson overcame growing up in a broken home, poverty and racial prejudice to become a leading neurosurgeon and later politician.

    She expressed hopes that the film would inspire the children to become successful in the future despite setbacks while growing up.

    The Young Bookworms was launched in November 2015 with the vision to help young children through book reading and leisure activities value the pursuit of knowledge and appreciation of literature.

    The group also seeks to make book reading an interactive and engaging activity and ensure that children have access to textbooks and other educational materials.

  • Cash awards for three best schools in Ondo

    Three schools in Akoko Division of Ondo State have been rewarded for their outstanding performance in the 2018/2019 Quiz Competition being financed by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Akin Olayanju Foundation (AOF).

    The three successful schools, African Church Secondary School (ACSS), Epinmi-Akoko, Victory College, Ikare-Akoko; and Mount Carmel Girls Secondary School, Ikare-Akoko, were awarded cash gifts of N100,000, N75,000,and N50,000.

    They defeated five other schools that scaled through the preliminary session to make the final.

    The top schools were represented by Stephen Francis and Adejuyigbe Lawrence (ACSS), Okafor Chinemeren and Adejumo Emmanuel (Victory College), and Miss Solomon Iseoluwa and Miss Ogunjobi (Mount Carmel Girls Secondary School).

    Apart from the cash prizes, all 16 pupils that made the final were rewarded with tablets.

    Also, the foundation donated library books to the eight schools for investing in their pupils.

    President of the foundation, Akin Olayanju, said it was borne out of   a desire to support his state.

    “The foundation was conceived in February 2019, while waiting for my flight from Lagos to Accra. A friend called and urged me to impact lives of people in Ondo, my state of origin. After the call, I was able to pinpoint my passion in the area of affecting lives possible which center on education and health.

    “Two areas are significant which the government of Nigeria is trying to revamp and need the cooperation of the citizens to actualise. We at AOF just see ourselves as partner with government to make Ondo State and Nigeria a place to envy by other countries,” he said.

    Olayanju added that the programme would be held annually.

    “We are doing all we can to make it AOF Arts and Science Quiz Completion a yearly event in Akoko area of Ondo state.

    “We also hope that one day, it will transform into a state competition where all government senior secondary schools in Ondo State will compete among themselves,” he said.

    One of the winners, Stephen Francis, thanked the foundation.

    “I feel great about this programme. We are really grateful to Akin Olayanju Foundation for giving us this opportunity to display our intelligence.  The competition was thorough and tough.

    Another contributor, Mr Tokunbo Fagbamigbe, was commended for supporting the foundation with the provision of tablets.

  • NGO partners Ogun on reproductive health

    A non-governmental organisation, Family Health Initiative Ogun (FHIO), is willing to support the Adolescent Reproductive Health Strategic Framework in the state.

    Its chairperson, Mrs. Kemi Balogun, gave the assurance at the launch of scheme for 2018 to 2022, held in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    “Our youths and adolescents deserve proper monitoring and care, particularly in the area of their reproductive health, and FHIO is committed to contribute its quota to the proper implementation and success of this strategic framework in Ogun State,” Balogun said.

    The Country Director of Pathfinder International, represented by Kosi Izundu, said adolescence was the period of transition from childhood to adulthood, which always brought multi-dimensional changes – biological, psychological, mental and social change –  in human beings. She noted that due to the biological and psychological transformation associated with the age group, adolescents were often exposed to risky behaviours, with consequences on their immediate and long-term health and socio-economic lives.

    She added that Pathfinder has recorded a milestone in the launching of the framework and in systematic assessment and mapping out of the key policies and programmes in enlightening the adolescents in the country. ýOgun State commissioner for health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, represented by the executive secretary, Ogun State Primary Health Care Board (OGSPHCB), Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, stated that with the trend of sexual abuses among the youths, it was imperative for all governments to address the issue of adolescents and young people’s sexual and reproductive health system in the country.

    “This strategic framework is designed as a guidance documents to address gaps currently inhibiting participation of adolescents and young people’s sexual and reproductive health in the state, and the state has made tremendous efforts to strengthen adolescents and young persons’ sexual and reproductive health with interventions across the state,” Ipaye said

  • NGO urges court to disqualify firm from dredging Warri channel

    The Incorporated Trustees of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Cadrell Advocacy Centre has filed a suit against Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    It is praying that Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited be disqualified from executing the contract for the Dredging of the Warri Channel River.

    The contract was awarded to Dredging International Services in 2018 by Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

    The NGO is also seeking the company’s disqualification from benefitting from award of any other contract in Nigeria.

    The NGO premised its request for order of the court against the dredging company on the ground that Dredging International NV, with 500,000 shareholding in Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited, is allegedly a convicted Company contrary to the provisions of 16 (8) (e) & (f) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

    The defendants in the suit before Justice Hassan are Nigeria Ports Authority and Dredging as second and third defendant respectively.

    International Services Nigeria Limited

    The NGO alleged in their Statement of Claim dated the November 26, 2018 and filed on their behalf by the chambers of Chief Mike Ozekhome, that in 2012, the office of the Attorney General, Department of International Affairs, Switzerland investigated and subsequently prosecuted Dredging International NV and Dredging International Services Cyprus Limited, a part owner and sister company of Dredging International Services Nigeria Ltd (and both subsidiaries of DEME Group Belgium) on the allegation that officials of the two companies  allegedly bribed some officials of the NPA to the tune of $20million.

    The claimant further alleged in their claim that Dredging International Services Cyprus Limited and Dredging International NV were allegedly convicted on the May 2, 2012 and fined One Million Swiss Francs, by the Swiss court.

    The NGO  seeking an order  directing the NPA to withdraw the letter awarding the contract for the dredging of the Warri Channel, and all other ancillary documents issued in furtherance of the contract for remedial works at Escravos Channel-Replacement of Aids to Navigation and Minor Dredging at Delta Ports, Warri, at the sum of $44,861, 596.81.

    The averred that the award of the contract to the company by the NPA was in flagrant violation of the provisions of S. 16 (8) (e) & (f) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

    It contended that the third defendant, Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited, is not qualified to execute contracts in Nigeria.

    The NGO is also seeking from the  court an order of perpetual injunction, restraining Dredging International Services Nigeria limited, whether by themselves, servants, agents and/or

    partners and privies, or   parent company from further ever dealing or executing any contract in Nigeria or with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The matter which came up for the first time before Honourable Justice Hassan of the Federal High Court Lagos Division on February 18, 2019 had lawyers for the NGO, NPA and Dredging International Services Nigeria Limited in attendance.

    The NGO was represented by its Executive Director, one Evans Ufeli.

    Justice Hassan has adjourned the case to April 2, for mention to enable parties file all the necessary counter-responses.

  • Presidential poll: Group urges stakeholders to obey laws

    A non-governmental organisation, ‘Values Reorientation Initiative and Advocacy (VRIA),’ yesterday urged stakeholders in today’s presidential elections to conduct their activities in line with the electoral laws.

    The group observed that election campaigns in Lagos were without violence and disruptions, urging politicians, voters and other participants to sustain the tempo of peace.

    In its ‘Pre-election Observation Report,’ the organisation, which is an accredited observers’ group, noted that the preparation and training of election duty staff and other ad hoc staff by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) were very professional and well organised.

    It also stated that the recruitment of the electoral workers was done in accordance with INEC guidelines.

    VRIA Coordinator, Larry Kayode James, told reporters in Lagos that for 13years, the group has been participating in election observation in its bid to promote and protect civil and political rights of participants, deter and expose manipulation and fraud, and facilitate the correction of errors and weak practices during electioneering.

    He said: “We at this level can confirm that the INEC, the political parties and all other participants in the election processes have conducted themselves in line with all international election standards. VRIA looks forward to a peaceful and successful observation of election.”

  • Pupils cautioned against drug abuse

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Fountain of Hope Society 10NG has cautioned pupils against drug abuse.

    It gave the warning during a conference for pupils in public, private, Christian and Muslim schools in Lagos State.

    The conference held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church in Ikeja, Lagos, was organised by the NGO, in partnership with Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion. The theme was: “Discouraging substance use among the youth through education, information and interaction”.

    According to its President, Chief Funso Ologunde, the conference was aimed at exposing youths to the dangers of drug abuse.

    “This seminar is a social responsibility to the church and to our society, where many of us are parents. We believe we owe it a duty to the young ones, particularly those in the secondary schools across Lagos State, to expose them, to this education and information about the consequences of drug abuse so that we can help prevent them from falling into the trap, which has already become a problem in our society.

    “Our expectation after this programme is that we would have succeeded in creating awareness among the children here today, their parents and the society at large, to enable them identify the symptoms of drug addiction and keep themselves away,”he said.

    He urged the pupils to avoid drugs, nothing that abstinence involves not being influenced nor inspired by those who live on drugs as means to success.

    “Youths must not be moved by those who make money from taking drugs, or those who take drugs and are known by the society; this is not good for the youths,” he said.

    He added that with the conference, it is the church’s way of fulling the purpose God has imposed on them to save the future of the youths and the elderly ones.

    The Bishop of the Diocese, Rt.  Revd. Olusola Oladeji, urged the youths to learn from the mistakes of those who have taken hard drugs and prevent themselves from all forms of negative influence.

    Oladeji, represented by the Dean, ArchBishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Venerable Agara Adegoke, said: “Taking hard drugs can make you waste your life. Do not join the multitudes to do evil, don’t do what others are doing, do what is right, don’t destroy your destiny, but be holy and acceptable unto God.”

    “Learn from the mistakes of those who have taken hard drugs and the evil that befell them. Do not let others learn from you. Prevent yourselves from every form of peer pressure that could influence you into taking hard drugs.”

    Fountain of Hope International National Chairman Adebayo Adeniji-Fashola noted that youths are the future of every nation, hence the need for them to be properly brought up.