A CERTIFICATION CEREMONY IN OKPANKU COMMUNITY OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

On the 17th Day of November 2020, we organized a certification ceremony for our End FGM Champions in Okpanku community of Enugu State, Nigeria. This certification ceremony was organized by us with a kind support from A Seed of Change (Canada). This ceremony was targeted at both celebrating and recognizing our end FGM champions in the community.

This event started pretty much late at exactly 12pm due to some complications, which was beyond our control. We started off with an opening prayer and also some brief introductions. After this, we listened to an address by the community leader Igwe RA Chukwu. He spoke glowingly about the good works of SIRP at the community. He specially thanked us for the various activities, which we have undertaken at the community and said that the community was indebted to us. Furthermore, he encouraged all those who will be certified as our champions to see it as a call to service to God and humanity.

After this, we were also privileged to listen to Barrister Somtochukwu Ugwu who is the Gender Head/ Partnerships Officer at SIRP. In his remarks, he spoke extensively about the reasoning behind SIRP’s efforts at the community. He stated that this project became necessary as there were great negative effects occasioned by FGM at the community. These negative effects as he stated ranged from health challenges to educational and economic empowerment challenges. This has therefore necessitated this project. He went on further to tell everyone present that this project wouldn’t have been possible without the kind support of A Seed of Change (Canada). He thereafter encouraged everyone who will be recognized on that day to make good use of this opportunity.

After this, we were further privileged to listen to various remarks from a cross-section of participants at the event. Finally, we thereafter witnessed presentation of certificates to various participants at the event. These certificates were presented to over 30 persons who have participated in one way or the other throughout the project. At the end of this event, one can see that these certificates meant so much to these participants as they were all appreciative and beamed with smile. This event finally came to an end at exactly 2:30 pm with a vote of thanks and closing prayers said by one of the project beneficiaries.

A WOMEN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (WEE) PROJECT IN OKPANKU COMMUNITY OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

 

In October 2020, we collaborated with A Seed of Change (Canada) to organize a skill acquisition program for various unskilled and unemployed young women and girls here in Enugu State, Nigeria. We specifically organized this event because of the high rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria. Currently in Nigeria, it is estimated that 16 million youth in Nigeria are unemployed. The foregoing according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) accounts for 23.1% of the Nigerian population.

In a bid to mitigate the foregoing staggering statistics, we targeted 15 young women and girls from Okpanku community of Enugu State. We empowered them by training them on how to bake various snacks like buns, fish rolls, fish pies and small chops. This training is in clear alignment with our definition of Women Economic Empowerment (WEE). We define WEE as the process by which women and girls gain the ability to make decisions not just for themselves, but also for others.

All in all, we sure had fun and were also fulfilled implementing this activity as we made a tremendous impact in the lives of our beneficiaries. The goal for us still remains the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which provides for gender equality and women empowerment by 2030.

AN END FGM PROJECT IN OKPANKU COMMUNITY OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

 

In June 2020, SIRP in Okpanku Community of Enugu State, Nigeria organized a knowledge sharing session on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) for 7 participants. These 7 participants comprised of both the Traditional Ruler of Okpanku and members of his cabinet. The whole basis for this session was to increase their knowledge about FGM and to also gain their support in ending it in the community.

This program kicked off with an opening prayer and introductions facilitated by Mrs Nnedi. After this, there was a brief opening remark from Dr. Chris Ugwu, the Executive Director of SIRP, Nigeria. He first of all thanked A Seed of Change (Canada) for supporting this program. Thereafter, he thanked all the participants for making out time to attend this training.

We thereafter went on an assessment of the current status of FGM in the community. This is most especially with regards to its prevalence rates. We thereafter went on to give participants a general overview of FGM. This overview included topics on why FGM was still practiced in the community. Furthermore, we discussed on its demerits for not just women and girls, but to the community as well.

After this training, we thereafter entertained comments from a host of participants. First to speak was Igwe RA Chukwu (The traditional ruler of Okpanku). He said that this training is indeed an eye-opener for them as they have learnt things, which they did not know about before. He went on further to assure us of his commitment to pass bye-laws to see that this practice is ended in the community. Elechi Christopher on his own part stated that he was mostly impressed with the strategy we used. This he said was very good as it allowed everyone to air their opinions and thoughts about FGM. He further assured us of his own commitment to ensuring an end to FGM in the community.

After this series of comments, the participants were later split into 3 groups under gender, health and education. This was done for them to properly discuss on the way forward for this project. After these deliberations, they thereafter made group presentations.

Finally, the workshop came to an end with a closing remark by Dr. Chris Ugwu thanking everyone for coming and specially thanking A Seed of Change (Canada) for supporting this program.

Unskilled to Skilled (U2S)

 

Last week, we collaborated with Mentorship forum with Makky (MFM) to organize a skill acquisition program for various unskilled and unemployed youth here in Enugu State, Nigeria. We specifically organized this event because of the high rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria. Currently in Nigeria, it is estimated that 16 million youth in Nigeria are unemployed. The foregoing according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) accounts for 23.1% of the Nigerian population.

In a bid to mitigate the foregoing staggering statistics, we specifically targeted 15 unskilled and unemployed young men and women. Through this program, they learnt various skills, which included the following:

·         How to create a one page website

·         Make-up skills

·         Shoe-making skills

·         Grant writing skills

These skills were taught by various well experienced and trained facilitators. These facilitators included: Clemente, Chiamaka, Theodore and of course our very own Somtochukwu. At the end of the day participants went home with greats skills, which they intend to, build on and translate into income generation. We are very much committed to ensuring that youth in Nigeria have access to decent work and increased economic growth.

International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) 2020 Celebrations

 

To commemorate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, which had the theme “My voice, our equal future”, Society for the Improvement of Rural People (SIRP) organized two great and inspiring activities. The first activity was a campaign to end period poverty in Akwuke community of Enugu State, Nigeria. In this regard, we targeted 16 young girls from the community who we taught about menstrual hygiene generally. We furthermore stressed the need for them to avoid using various unhygienic materials during their periods. Finally, we provided them with sanitary pads and various toiletries.

On the other hand, we implemented a skill acquisition program at Okpanku community of Enugu State, Nigeria. In this regard, we targeted 15 young women and girls. We empowered them by training them on how to bake various snacks like buns, fish rolls, fish pies and small chops. This training is in clear alignment with our definition of Women Economic Empowerment (WEE). We define WEE as the process by which women and girls gain the ability to make decisions not just for themselves, but also for others.

All in all, we sure had fun and were also fulfilled implementing these activities as we made a tremendous impact in the lives of our beneficiaries. The goal for us still remains the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which provides for gender equality and women empowerment by 2030.

 

SIRP last week in Bridge-waters hotel, Enugu organized a workshop on gender responsive budgeting for 10 participants. These 10 participants comprised of both Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and relevant Government officials. The whole basis for this workshop was to build their capacity on tracking the Enugu State Government budget as it relates to child marriage.

This program kicked off with an opening prayer and introductions facilitated by Miss Nnedi. After this, there was a brief opening remark from Dr. Chris Ugwu, the Executive Director of SIRP, Nigeria. He first of all thanked GirlsNotBrides (GNB) for supporting this program. Thereafter, he thanked all the participants for making out time to attend this training. After the opening remark, Evelyn Onah from Tarma Sarc disagreed to Tarma Sarc being addressed as a ministry. She said that 'Tarma Sarc was handed to the Enugu state government in 2017 and is being handled by the Ministry of Gender Affairs, Health and Justice.

We thereafter went on an assessment of the current status of the implementation of the Enugu State 2020 budget in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State. This is most especially with regards to child marriage and adolescent girls. We thereafter went on to train participants on how to use PETS (Public Expenditure Tracking Survey) framework in budget and expenditure tracking.

After this training, we thereafter entertained comments from a host of participants. First to speak was Anna Oguejiofor from the State Ministry of Health (SMOH). She said that they were not contacted on time prior to the workshop hence, can't present documented figures, but will use estimated figures. She went further to suggest that budgets should be critically studied, and that the limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shouldn't be ignored. She also suggested for the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) to be invited for meetings/workshops like this. Rhoda Ikechukwu from ACERDEN on her own part suggested that new strategies should be explored in regards to children completing their education. This is most especially with menstrual products. She went further to complain about how schools write to organizations like ENSUBEB for support without getting any response. Virginia Obianugo from CIRDDO said that she's aware that menstrual materials were released in this COVID-19 period. She however said that her issue of concern is ministries not meeting up to what they signed as budgets. She mentioned a case whereby 40 seats were released to a school instead of 100 as budgeted and signed.

After this series of comments, the participants were later split into 3 groups under gender, health and education, for them to properly discuss the gender mainstreaming in these budget lines. After these deliberations, they thereafter make group presentations.

Finally, the workshop came to an end with a closing remark by Dr. Chris Ugwu thanking everyone for coming and specially thanking GirlsNotBrides (GNB) for supporting this program.

 

The second edition of “2063 Academy”

 

With the support of the Swiss Embassy Rabat and in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry

in charge of relations between parliament and civil society, World Bank Group as well as the

UN Information Center in Rabat, the moroccan NGO Atlas for Development launched the

“Academy 2063” project last year, which is a program that aims to increase awareness of Africa’s development agenda and its values, and make youth the center of africa’s sustainable development debate, throughout a series of discussions and workshops, as well as creating a common ground for youth and decision makers by inviting government personnel, diplomatic corps and international and national NGOs (civil society).

Following the success of the first edition of the 2063 academy, the second edition has chosen “The African Youth we want” as its theme, and will be open to young people from all over the continent. It will include virtual workshops aiming at polishing the participant’s skills in: public policy analysis, project management and entrepreneurship, on top of familiarizing African youth with The African Union by organizing workshops centered around the organisation’s work, and simulating it using a Model African Union sequence. This edition falls under the African Union “Silencing the guns” campaign, as it will focus on Climate Change and Gender Equality as the centers of the debate, strengthened by the presence of international experts and officials.

Coinciding with the Africa Youth Month, the 2nd edition of The 2063 Academy will be organized during November 2020 in partnership with African Union Special Envoy on Youth Bureau’s and with the support of PEACE FIRST organization, French and Swiss Embassies

in Morocco.

 

 AU and UN hailed the 2063 Academy

 

The first edition has/had garnered the attention of African Union commission, through African

Union Special Envoy on Youth, Ms. Aya Chebbi who have paid a special visit to Rabat to familiarize herself with the initiative that brought international and nation experts as well as representatives from different organisations to train 88 youngsters, who formed in turn 255

young people in the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region.

The african youth envoy representative Ms.Aya Chebbi, called during her visit for Morocco to become a platform able to mobilize north african youth to participate in the African union’s programs, and for the initiative to be broadened/expanded at them regional level (North Africa) and even across the continent eventually. Ms. Chebbi’s visit, accompanied by a member of her consultations bureau Mr.Nair Abakar, also led to many meetings with diplomatic corps actors and NGOs and governmental organisations, in coordination with The international center for diplomacy and Atlas for Development.

Upon return to Addis Ababa, Ms.Aya Chebbi emphasized in a speech to the African Peace and Security Council the important role the youth plays in promoting peace in the continent, and added examples of projects lead by youth from multiple african countries, among them the moroccan initiative “The 2063 Academy” that aims at creating a common ground between young people and decision makers to increase awareness and work on the african 2063 agenda. The success of the first edition didn’t stop here, as the initiative was highlighted in many important international platforms, of which: the 2019 UN’s general assembly, where “The 2063 Academy” was chosen amongst the best international initiatives. It was also presented at the SDG MEDIA ZONE by Atlas for Development's president Mr. Hatim Elothmani.

The 2063 Academy also intrigued the 2017 peace nobel prize winner, Peace boat NGO, which has consultative status at the UN. As it organized with Atlas for Development, a number of events centered on Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals, these events knew the participation of UN officials, Accredited Diplomatic Missions as well as The World Bank.

 

For more information, do:

- Visit Atlas For Development website: www.atlas4dev.org

- Contact us by email at: contact@atlas4dev.org