The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ronald Kayanja

  • UNIC targets youths, organises Arts4SDGs competition

    UNIC targets youths, organises Arts4SDGs competition

    The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria, has continued to highlight the role of youth in the implementation of the global goals, since member states of the United Nations (UN) adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015.

    The Centre has remodelled its school outreach activities to be youth-focused and SDGs-centred. Of note was the just concluded Arts4SDGs competition in Lagos State and the rollout of the second phase by 1 November 2017 in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria.

    Arts4SDGs from UNIC is a campaign that promotes the SDGs amongst Secondary School students using creative arts. It requires the students to express their understanding of SDGs in artistic forms or in poetry.

    The competition which was organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Nigeria in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Education and Tender Arts Nigeria, started earlier in the year among the over 600 public secondary schools in Lagos State and a few private ones.

    UNIC Director, Mr Ronald Kayanja
    UNIC Director, Mr Ronald Kayanja addressing the audience

    It reached the climax on Thursday 9 October 2017 with an Exhibition of outstanding works as well as the award of certificates to all students who participated in the competition. The event also featured the unveiling of SDGs theme song titled: “One Planet” initiated by UNIC but composed and rendered by Nigeria’s multi-talented singer, Seyi Ajayi.

    Speaking at the Arts4SDGs Exhibition and Certificates Award ceremony, the Director of UNIC Lagos Nigeria,  Ronald Kayanja, explained that Arts4SDGs aimed to create awareness of the SDGs among children and the youth; and raise young advocates to inspire positive actions for sustainable development.

    “Arts4SDGs is about viewing the SDGs through the lenses of an artist. Students were asked to interpret any of the 17 SDGs in artistic forms. The works of arts the Students submitted were creative and instructive.”

    He said, “There is a particular one that depicts Goal 2, ‘Zero Hunger’ with a plastic plate containing real foodstuffs while a fork and a knife are arranged on each side. The message is clear: No one should go hungry. Let everyone have food on the table.”

    Mr Kayanja thanked the Lagos State Government for its support, “especially in sharing the Arts4SDGs communication materials to all schools in the State which was a critical success factor.”

    UNIC Information Officer, Oluseyi Soremekun
    UNIC Information Officer, Dr Oluseyi Soremekun curates the SDGs posters and artworks.

    In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of Tender Arts Nigeria, Mr Adekunle Adewale, explained that “We believe images are powerful to convey the message beyond words. One image is more powerful than a thousand words. This is the main reason we are partnering UNIC to promote the use of arts to SDGs.

    Dignitaries in attendance include Ambassador Ayo Olukanni Nigeria’s former diplomat to Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Island; the President of Society of Nigerian artists, Mr. Oliver Enwonwu; the Chairman, Lagos State Council For Arts and Culture, Mrs Polly Alakija; the Curator, Rele Art Gallery, Ms Adenrele Sonariwo, Representatives of Lagos State Ministry of Education.

    The highpoint of the ceremony was the decoration of Seyi Ajayi as a Champion of SDGs by the Director of UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria, Mr Kayanja.

    The second phase of the Arts4SDGs campaign which is in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, kicks off on 1 November 2017. Over 380 secondary schools in the State would be reached.

     

  • Lagos to partner UK, UN to achieve SDGs

    Lagos to partner UK, UN to achieve SDGs

    The Lagos State ministry of Economic Planing and Budget is collaborating with the United Kingdom department for international development and the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) to achieve the vision of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Lagos before 2030.

    Against this backdrop, a sensitization seminar has been organised for local government officials in the three senatorial district in the State.

    the seminar is aimed at orientating local government officials on how to cascade the vision of sustainable development goals in their various grassroots catchment.

    Speaking at the seminar which held at the United nations information center for local official at the Lagos central senatorial district, the director of the ministry of economic planning and budget development Mr. Bankole Adetola, stated that the Lagos State government have decided to “take the bull by the Horn”, through mobilization of all key stakeholders.

    He noted that the mobilisation is aimed at curbing the shortfalls of the millennium development goals which ended in 2015.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#dda54f” bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]The seventeen goals include No Poverty, No Hunger, Good Health, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water And Sanitation, Renewable Energy, Good Jobs And Economic Growth, Innovation And Infrastructure, Reduce Inequalities, Sustainable Cities And Communities, Responsible Consumption And Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life On Land, Peace And Justice And Partnership For The Goals[/quote]

    “We want to avoid the shortfalls of MDGs which is basically lack of awareness. therefore we have constituted a champions group which have gone through training, and it is now their duty to create massive awareness in their constituencies.

     The Director, UNIC Lagos, Ronald  Kayanja, Described  sustainable development goals as an offshoot of the millennium development goals. According to him, the latter is aimed at consolidating on the lapses of the former, which could not achieve its objective of eradicating poverty in the world.

    Kayanja commended Lagos State government for the partnership and implementation strategy which involves generating data through indicators that review what each unit is doing, and also the sensitization seminar for local government officials.

    MDGs, have seventeen goals, one hundred and sixty-nine target and two hundred and three indicators.

  • UNIC engages 210 girls at summer camp

    UNIC engages 210 girls at summer camp


    The United Nation Information centre in Lagos has concluded plans to engage no fewer than 230 girl children in different vocational trainings.

    It is summer time, widely known as ‘long vacation period’ within the education circle in Nigeria, during which students and their parents get engaged in some predetermined activities both locally and abroad.

    While many pupils have gone on vacation with their parents after a tedious academic year, some are in camps developing their skills and nourishing their interests without hurting their academic studies.

    The latter, of course is in line with the United Nations strategic framework for the Post-2015 Agenda, especially the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No 5 which dwells on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls.

    It is in the light of the above that ‘Yes I believe Academy’, a strategic partner of the United Nations Information

    [caption id="attachment_415469" align="alignleft" width="300"]A trainee shoemaker briefs UNIC Director, Mr Ronald Kayanja about shoemaking. A trainee shoemaker briefs UNIC Director, Mr Ronald Kayanja about shoe making.[/caption]

    Centre (UNIC) Lagos, organized a Summer Camp for 210 girls aged between 10 and 18 years. Titled: "Summer Skills Acquisition Workshop", the one week programme featured different training sessions including those on Beadworks, Shoe making, Make-up, soft furnishing, among others.

    Addressing the participants who were students of Gbagada Girls Junior Secondary School, Bariga Lagos, the Director of UNIC Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja spoke about the works and history of the United Nations especially the 70th anniversary.

    He noted that skill acquisition was a lifetime gift which should be embraced by everyone who had the opportunity to get one.

    He commended the parents of the participants for sending their children to the summer camp and to the students he congratulated for being a part of the programme which he assured, would have a positive impact on their future.

    In his remarks, the Executive Director of ‘Yes I Believe Academy’, Mr Niyi Adekunle, disclosed that within four days of training, the children demonstrated high level of seriousness and commitment to learning specific skills.

    Later in company of the facilitators, Mr. Adekunle conducted the UNIC team lead by the Director round the exhibition of some of the products produced by the participants. ‘I am highly impressed,’ Mr Kayanja noted.

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  • FG to partner UN on development goals

    FG to partner UN on development goals

    The Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja, has presented to the United Nation Country Team (UNCT) an update on activities so far in Nigeria and proposed events for the rest of the year, in consultation with the Resident Coordinator’s Office and in continuation of its commitment to promoting the UN 70th anniversary as a one-UN event in Nigeria.

    He noted that the Foreign Affairs Ministry had responded to the letter on UN@70, written by the Resident Coordinator, Mr Daouda Toure, on joint activities with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    Mr Kayanja proposed a formal launch of UN@70 with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs which will be succeeded by monthly events until December 2015.

    However, according to him, there would be one week of activities which would climax on 24th October 2015 when the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is expected to be Chief Guest of Honour.

    Other proposed activities include an international conference organised in partnership with the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA); Peacekeeping Command of the Nigerian Military to honor fallen combatants during Peacekeeping operations; Public lectures on the UN and Nigeria organized in collaboration with Covenant University, Ota Ogun State.

    Others are School Arts Exhibitions and essay competitions on the work of the UN by a School in Abuja and another one in Ogun State; and a Photo exhibition which would probably be the world’s longest photo exhibition organized with Femi Arts Warehouse and planned to be staged at the Bar Beach, Lagos, among others.

    In his contribution, the Resident Coordinator observed that the 70th anniversary provided a platform for the UN system to highlight its works in the country. He, therefore, called on all Head of Agencies to communicate UN@70 during their activities.

  • UN celebrates International Widows’ Day

    UN celebrates International Widows’ Day

    The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has advocated for measures to erase the social stigmatisation and economic deprivation that confronts widows.

    The Secretary-General, represented by Mr Ronald Kayanja, Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, made the statement in his message during the International Widows’ Day celebration on Tuesday.

    He stressed the need for creating a world with greater equality for generations to come which according to him ‘is the defining challenge of our time’.

    “International Widows’ Day is an opportunity to assert the rights of those whose bereavement is followed by exclusion, abuse or the loss of homes, livelihoods and social standing.

    “Without the economic and social protection of their husbands, many widows are treated as financial burdens by their families. They may lose their rights to inheritance and property, or even be forced out of their communities,’ Mr Ki-moon noted.

    He further said that age, income, ethnicity, disabilities and other factors can put women at greater risk of injustice saying: “These human rights violations stem from the unjust view that women have diminished value. On International Widows’ Day, we reassert the equality of men and women.”

    Similarly, Honourble Abike Dabiri, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, who lamented various inhuman treatment which widows often suffer, assured the widows on the position of the law regarding violence against persons – widows inclusive.

    Dabiri maintained that it is punishable under Session 15(1), Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (As reviewed) for anyone to harass, maltreat or abuse a widow.

    According to her, the law which was passed and signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on 28 May, 2015, states that such offender is liable to a 2-year jail term or pay a fine of N500,000 or be subjected to both forms of punishment depending on the gravity of offence.

    She therefore urged the widows to seek education at all cost stressing that: “If you are educated, you cannot be maltreated or abused.”

    In her speech, Professor Grace Alele Williams advised the widows to endeavour to explore all means available to them including writing to the Ministry of Women Affairs.

    According to her, widows could write letters to the ministry requesting for assistance adding that: “You can also ask the ministry what they have been doing for widows.

    “You can write through agencies like Hope For Life Initiative or any other NGOs around who can help forward and follow up on your case.”

    Prof. Alele warned that there are some widows who often abscond with the money in order not to repay the loan. To this she said: “Those who do such should desist from such act. You can also expose dubious NGOs when you come across them.”

    She also noted that one of the reasons help hardly get to those who needed it most is because some widows prefer to fill in family members who are not widows to benefit from widows-targetted-projects.

    “The United Nations is working on specific measures that can help widows, and I urge other partners to join these efforts,” Mr Ki-moon summed.

  • UN@70, empowers Nigerian women

    UN@70, empowers Nigerian women

    As part of activities to mark the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN) as well as the Post-2015 Development Agenda, over 152 women were trained on how to become better homemakers.

    The training on ‘Homemakers Lifestyle and Empowerment Workshop’ organized by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos and Brightlight Studios was themed: ‘A Better Me’.

    Defying the biting fuel scarcity in Nigeria, the women clad in beautiful dresses turned up in their numbers to be a part of the programme which also contributes to the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 3: Promote Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.

    In his welcome address the Director of UNIC Lagos, Ronald Kayanja, reiterated that women remained a priority group for the United Nations and reassured that the organisation would continue to make a positive difference to the lives of millions of people especially in terms of vaccinating children and distributing food aid.

    The UNIC Director also mentioned sheltering refugees, deploying peacekeepers, protecting the environment, seeking peaceful resolution of disputes and supporting democratic elections, gender equality, human rights and the rule of law as other on the UN priority list.

    Quoting the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, Kayanja noted that “The theme of this anniversary year: ‘Strong UN: Better World’, captures the importance of multilateralism. This is a time of test but far more one of tremendous opportunities.”

    Represented by the UNIC National Information Officer, Oluseyi Soremekun, Mr Kayanja further said that the empowerment workshop aligned with the message of the UN Secretary-General on UN@70 that the United Nations looks forward to working with people everywhere to build lives of safety, prosperity and dignity for all.

    The Homemakers Lifestyle and Empowerment Workshop featured the business side of beauty which included Make-up skills and head-gear (Gele) tying lessons; Marriage/Relationship Counselling; Building a Successful Fashion Designing Business; and the Art and Science of making Desserts, Cocktails and Mocktails.

    The programme also featured exhibition of women’s products from the cultural industry; beauty products; Cakes and Pastries and women wellness products among others.

    Exhibition - Cultural industry
    Exhibition of some wares at the workshop

    Having been asked to bring along their gele for the lesson on Head-gear tying which is gradually developing to be a thriving business in the country, the women brought out their different, colourful head-tie to go through the process of tying elegant, head-turning ‘Gele’.

    The ‘Gele’ tying session appeared to be the climax of the workshop as all the women looked upbeat and determined to learn the art of tying the head-gear.

    A participant, Ms Olaitan Ajilogba, expressed her delight that she eventually mastered the process after a long trial during the session and ‘tied a beautiful and glamorous head-gear.’

    Similarly, another participant, Ms Aisha Joy Omosun, noted that the Make-up session was very instructive and educating and would add both social and economic values to the women.

    Consequently, Ms Lanre Anjola-Oyebode, Executive Director of Brightlight Studios, who had earlier explained the rationale behind the programme, said it was meant to grow the number of women who are economically independent and sufficiently empowered to support their husbands in raising educated and morally upright children.

  • UNIC Lagos Director commends Nigerian troops

    UNIC Lagos Director commends Nigerian troops

    The Director of the United Nations information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, Mr. Ronald Kayanja has commended Nigeria for its role as a troop contributing country to UN peace operations around the world since the 1960s.

    Mr. Kayanja said this during a lecture on the “United Nations Peace Operations: Organisation and Roles” at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna.

    “As at 31 March 2015, Nigeria had about 3,000 serving officers in UN peacekeeping operations around the world. Currently Nigeria is the 6th largest troop contributor to UN peace operations in Africa and the 10th largest in the world.

    “The United Nations is grateful to Nigeria for its continued support to UN peace efforts,” he noted.

    The UNIC Director informed the Officers of the Nigerian Military that this year, the UN marks 70 years of carrying out its mandate to maintain international peace and security.

    He explained that the UN has seven main avenues to promoting international peace which include preventive diplomacy; peace making; peacekeeping; peace enforcement; peace building; counter terrorism and disarmament.

    “Since its establishment, the UN has deployed 69 peacekeeping operations around the world. Currently, there are 16 ongoing peacekeeping operations and 11 political and peace-building operations around the world,” he observed.

    Mr. Kayanja also explained that the development, human rights and humanitarian work of the United Nations system helps to deal with underlying factors responsible for causing conflict and instability.

    Following the Lecture, the participants engaged the UNIC Director in a discussion which touched on counter terrorism and the UN support to Nigeria, the duration of peace operations, influence of member states to UN initiatives and issues of human rights.

    Receiving the UNIC Director, the Commandant AVM JC Ifemeje, thanked him for making the presentation to the Officers of the Nigerian Military which will go a long way to enable them understand how the UN works, especially in the context of peace operations.