H.E. Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Deputy Governor, Rivers State.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has called on all well- meaning citizens, especially the male folk to join the campaign to end violence against women and girls.
Dr. Banigo made this call in her good will message from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, 25th November 2021, to commemorate the 2021, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.
Dr. Banigo, who urged the male folk to be strong advocates in the quest to eliminate violence against women and girls, noted that violence against women and girls increase in the society during crises.
The Deputy Governor said it manifests in physical, sexual and psychological means and most times perpetrated by trusted family members, while the rest of society look the other way, adding that sometimes women are also culpable when it comes to violence against fellow women.
Dr. Banigo said the State Government under the leadership of Governor Wike takes the security and wellbeing of women as top priority with a zero tolerance for violence against women.
It would be recalled that the 25th of November, each year is set aside to commemorate the International Day for the elimination of violence against Women. It also marks the launch of 16 days of activism that would end on December 10th 2021, which is the International Human Rights Day.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!”
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT MEDICAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, RIVERS STATE AT THE START OF THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE Every year the United Nations sets apart 16 days to impress upon the entire world the need to do a lot more about the menace of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This special time between the 25th of November which is the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women, and the 10th of December which is Human Rights Day, is referred to as the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). During these 16 days, people all over the world take action to address the deplorable situation of violence against persons and reverse this ugly trend. The campaign against GBV which has now come to be known as ‘Orange the World Campaign’ uses every means to raise awareness about the need to prevent and respond to violence against persons. The theme for the 2021 16 days of activism is ‘Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!’ This is apt because it focuses on the disproportionate burden of violence against persons borne by women and girls. Women who are the bearers, rearers, and carers of society are also the worst affected by the negative impact of physical and sexual violence. The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), the umbrella body of all female medical and dental practitioners in the country, has a mandate is to improve the health of women and children as enshrined in her motto ‘Healing with the love of a mother’. Consequently, we bear a special burden to respond to Violence Against Women and Girls. Over the years, MWAN Rivers has championed and supported activities to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. We set up and coordinated a multi-stakeholder observatory that identified and responded to incidents of Violence against Women and Girls in the State. This was supported by the National Stability and Reconciliation Project of the British Council. We have also teamed up with The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) to implement GBV intervention activities during the 16 days of activism against GBV. Our specific focus this year in line with the theme of the 16 days of activism against GBV is the prevention of GBV within tertiary educational institutions in the state. Strategically, we will train and empower young people as GBV Prevention Champions and Advocates. These champions would in turn use peer-to-peer methods to inform, educate and build capacity among university students to prevent, defuse and report incidents of physical and sexual violence on campuses. Experience has shown that passionate and bold young people are best suited to reach their peers as change agents. The use of broadcast and social media platforms to advocate for an end to GBV will be exploited to the fullest. MWAN will conduct research activities to understand the pattern and risk factors for GBV in university campuses.MWAN will also organize campus-based rallies to emphasize that GBV is both unacceptable and inexcusable.
As a proud partner of the state, MWAN Rivers will apply the experience gained in this area of service to support state and non-state stakeholders in the response against GBV. Of special note is the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Technical Working Group coordinated by the SGBV desk office of the Rivers State Ministry of Health. MWAN Rivers urges state and non-state entities to support this office and its working group to ensure landmark achievements against GBV in the State. MWAN Rivers is committed to supporting all efforts to curb the menance of GBV in the state. We are vehement in our declarations. NO to physical violence on University Campuses. NO to rape in our universities. NO to sexual harassment and coercion by authority figures on campuses. NO to intimate partner violence. If we each orange our little corners, soon together, we will Orange the World. The time to End Gender- Based Violence is NOW! We can and we must for ourselves and for generations to come.
God bless the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Branch God bless Rivers State Dr Omosivie Maduka MBBS, MScPH, FMCPH President, MWAN Rivers Thursday 25th November 2021
THE FREE LAW CLINIC @ O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation
As part of her 20th Anniversary Celebration!🎉🎊 (5-11-2021)!!
It was a beautiful experience, as the audiences were engaged one on one with a Legal Luminary for advice, counseling or conflicts resolutions on the spot without paying a dime. I experienced a Free Legal Consulting Session With an amazing legal Expert that gave me all the attention and details including my fiancee.
Barr. Nimi Walson in an interview
Thank you and Special Appreciation to the Lulu Briggs Foundation. Well done and keep adding value to humanity.
Fida Nigeria FIDA Rivers African Women Lawyers Association – AWLA Nigeria O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation International Conscience Day UNFPA UNFPA Nigeria UNICEF UNICEF Nigeria United Nations Human Rights United Nations
Q. Can we meet you, just tell us about yourself briefly and professionally?
Owanate Amachree is a Technical Writer and Content Developer at IOVLabs, owners of RSK, a smart contract platform for Bitcoin. Owanate is from Port Harcourt, Nigeria and has over two years of experience in writing technical articles and carrying out user research in the blockchain space
Owanate is also the founder of Techrity Org, an organization focused on assisting people to kick-start their career in tech. Her hobbies include reading, R & D and travelling
Q.“Digital Generation, Our Generation”… Girls now know their Digital realities including solutions to freedom of expression and their boundless potential? What’s your interpretation of this??
Girls and women since inception have been involved in technology and the digital world, there are records of women who have created technologies and languages which have been beneficial in today’s digital world.
However, there has been a decline in the involvement of girls and women in stem fields as a result of so many factors. The digital generation is for all, and not meant for any gender.
I’m glad more women and girls are getting the much needed awareness for how they can get into this digital world.
Q.Gender Equity in Digital Literacy is a driver of Economic Growth and National Advantage. How can we promote this?
I believe gender equity should not be a topic just talked about in conferences and meetings, it should be a deliberate action because an educated society with no gender roles is an empowered society.
Companies and institutions should be deliberate in ensuring an equitable society, with no gender roles. Women and girls should be given equal opportunities at leadership without recourse to their gender
Techy Stars 🌟 #Techrity
Q.How do we amplify the diversity of Tech Trailblazers like you?
There are so many institutions and bodies working hard at ensuring women get involved in the digital generation, we can amplify these voices by supporting them with the resources they need to reach these women and girls, also I believe these challenge can’t be solved without involving the men, we should all work together at ensuring gender roles are non existent and women can’t achieve this on their own.
Q.Technology is a veritable tool to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
True. If more and more people are educated on the importance of acquiring digital skills, most GBV cases would be reported and addressed, we should deploy more tech solutions with the help of community to ensure GBV is easily reported.
Q.How do we ensure Mental Health and Rights of Girls are Protected in this era?
To protect women and girls mental health, we can encourage community driven groups where women can access people who they can trust to help them deal with any challenges they are facing, with closed groups and access to mentors, we can protect the mental health rights of women and girls.
Q.Life Planning (Child Birth Spacing) is essential to help the Girl Child achieve her goals and remain Productive, true or false? If true, please can we get your opinion??
Child birth spacing is essential for the girl child, we can carry out our primary duties as women and still be productive, families should be educated on the importance of life planning so everyone is carried along, both man and woman. We will see a more quotable society in which women are not afraid to dream while also being able to carry out their basic functions in the society.
Q.Looking at the African Youth Charter, Article 23: emphasized that discrimination against Girls and young women are eliminated. Do you support the charter, if yes, Why?
Not much idea here
Q.Lastly, the SDGs embodies a roadmap for progress that is Sustainable and ensure no one is left behind. What focal SDGs Goal are you embarking?
At Techrity, we are working in line with sdg 9 to ensure we create innovative solutions that is deployed and accessible for the everyday human. We deploy the use of technological solutions to solve this challenge, in one of our Hackathons held in December 2020, we focused on building solutions to ensure people working in the informal sector affected by COVID aren’t left behind as a result of the economic downturn faced. Innovators, builders, thinkers were invited to innovate around these challenges and come up with solutions to solve them, you can find more information by visiting: https://techrity.org/build-for-social
Remembering #EndSARS: Lingering Socio-political Unease Calls for Government-Citizen Reconciliation
“NPF’s excessive use of force has remained unchanged because many of the abuse cases have not been investigated. The inability of the state to investigate and hold perpetrators to account for their acts of terror on citizens have helped to build public distrust and resentment towards the men and women of the criminal justice institutions and state more generally.” — Chris M A Kwaja, Ph.D Policing, Police and the Feasibility of Their Reform in Nigeria
The call by Nigerian citizens at home and in the diaspora to end the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was a legitimate demand. This demand was informed by the apparent silence of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the federal government in dealing authoritatively with the inhumane and brutal actions of operatives of the SARS unit towards Nigerians, particularly the youth.
EndSARS was and remains a call from Nigerians and well-meaning people globally who were tired of being abused and traumatized by the people empowered to protect them. It ignited an awakening in young Nigerians to their civic duty of demanding accountability from the government. The protest was a peaceful convergence of young Nigerians for two weeks across cities in the country until criminals took advantage of the national outcry and decided to rob, rape, attack people and police officers, and destroy property. This informed the immediate suspension of the protest by protesters who also became victims of these criminals. It is important that the efforts of patriotic Nigerian youths exercising their civic rights and duties in demanding an end to police brutality are not defined or undermined by activities of criminals. The right to peaceful assembly remains a fundamental human right and Nigerian youths still seek justice for lives lost, citizens maimed and properties destroyed.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was established in 1992 to fight crimes associated with robbery, car theft, kidnapping and firearms whilst keeping citizens and neighborhoods safe. It eventually became an integral part of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID).
However, due to alleged (and confirmed) extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, extortion, torture, framing, blackmail, kidnapping, illegal organ trade, armed robbery, home invasions, rape of men and women, child arrests and other unprintable deeds, SARS came under heavy public scrutiny and was investigated several times in response to waves of public outcry.
All the reforms promised by the federal government in 2016, 2017 and 2018 failed to produce any meaningful outcome. Particularly in 2018, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo ordered a complete overhaul of the dreaded unit and the then Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Kpotun promised the nation a new security unit under the name, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS). It seemed like a glimpse of hope, however, nothing changed!
Consequently, 2019 saw a far more terrifying SARS, targeting young, innocent Nigerians without respite. The tech community was especially hit, when young men with laptops and dreadlocks became easy targets for SARS operatives. These young people were subjected to unjust profiling leading to arbitrary arrest, detention, extortion and in some cases death. This was done under the guise of fighting internet-fraud, which was clearly out of their scope of operations.
Last year’s #EndSARS protests were triggered by the alleged killing of a youth in Delta State; a gory incident that was caught on camera. The video which was circulated on social media platforms brought back the conversation on the brutality of SARS operatives with young people sharing their experiences on social media. The online protest swiftly turned into major protests across cities in Nigeria with Nigerians, particularly young people, consistently taking to the streets for a period of two weeks.
A week into the protest, on October 12, 2020, Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu disbanded the unit assuring the public of a new order in the federal security agency. They were renamed the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), an already existing unit within the Police. Unfortunately, the renaming simply reinforced the perception that the government was only interested in cosmetic change, nothing structural.
One year after the start of a series of events that would significantly change police-citizen relationships in Nigeria, it is evident that #EndSARS became a platform for young people to express their frustration with a security architecture that had failed in its primary purpose—protecting the lives and property of Nigerian citizens. However, this socio-political outburst was not to negate the hard work of members of our security agencies – police and military officers – who are constantly on the frontlines, protecting citizens and the integrity of Nigeria’s borders.
Indeed, it was in recognition of this that one of the #5for5 demands focused specifically on erring police officers—calling for the instituting of an iIndependent body to oversee prosecution of officers and the immediate suspension of all officers indicted in previous panels while prosecution commences. They include officers such as Yusuf Kolo (Abuja) and CSP Sola Aremu (Oyo) among several others whose negligence or direct action led to the death of protesters and bystanders. Two of the 5 demands focused on the welfare of the police officers, financial and psychological: (1) regulations for the Police Act 2020 to implement improved welfare for police officers and (2) psychological evaluation of disbanded officers before redeployment and ongoing psychological evaluation of police officers.
However, when bad apples are not removed from a basket, they invariably spoil the whole basket. Citizens felt that the leadership of the Police Force and the various government bodies responsible for them: the Ministry of Police Affairs, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Police Trust Fund and the Police Service Commission were not doing enough to discipline its erring officers and thus, show a zero tolerance for abuse and extra-judicial killings. This was also demonstrated during the protests as the morning SARS was disbanded, the police shot at and water bombed protesters in Abuja.
In the aftermath of the protests, the National Executive Council agreed that all state governments will set up Judicial Panels of Inquiry across the country to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extrajudicial killings. Only 29 of the 36 states set up Panels. Of the 29 states: (1) Kogi was inaugurated but has not had any sittings; (2) 3 states have concluded sittings and submitted reports; (3) 18 states have completed sittings but did not submit their reports; (4) Lagos was extended until October 19th.
As different activities are being organised to mark one year since the protests, including the solemn commemoration of #LekkiKilling – October 20, Nigerians ask that the federal government take a step of reconciliation towards citizens:
First, by providing an update on what has been done to ensure victims get justice and due compensation.
Secondly, by providing an update on what the government has done over the past year to improve the welfare of police officers and ensure that our police force is equipped psychologically to enable civil interaction with citizens.
Thirdly, provide an update on how the government is equipping the Nigeria Police Force with the appropriate tools to carry out their delicate task of securing lives and property alongside a concrete plan for consequence management when such a need arises.
This anniversary is an opportunity, to foster dialogue on justice and peace, so we invite the state governments and the federal government to engage with citizens and protect them from violence in the fulfillment of their mandate as stated in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) in Section 14 (2b) which states that the welfare and security of the citizens shall be the primary purpose of government.
The demand remains for a Nigeria that is equitable and just.
EndSARS!
“The present generation has no other country except Nigeria. Let us salvage it together.” Muhammadu Buhari (President, Federal Republic of Nigeria)
‘Yemi Adamolekun Executive Director, EiE Nigeria
Idayat Hassan Director, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD)
Cynthia Mbamalu Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa
Osai Ojigho Country Director, Amnesty International
Kemi Okenyodo Executive Director, Partners West Africa- Nigeria
Nelson Olanipekun Team Lead, Gavel
Joshua Olufemi Executive Director, The Interactive
Mahmud Yusuf Programs Manager, NULAI Nigeria
Enough is Enough Nigeria (www.eie.ng) is a network of individuals and organizations committed to instituting a culture of good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through active citizenship. EiE’s #RSVP – Register | Select | Vote | Protect is a key voter education campaign. EiE was an integral part of the #OccupyNigeria movement in 2012 and is very active in the #OpenNASS and #OfficeOftheCitizen campaigns. The Centre for Democracy and Development (www.CDDWestAfrica.org) is an independent, not-for-profit, research training, advocacy and capacity building organisation. CDD was established to mobilise global opinion and resources for democratic development and provide an independent space to reflect critically on the challenges posed to the democratisation and development processes in West Africa. The goal is to serve as the ultimate catalyst in the transformation of the West African sub-continent into an integrated, economically vibrant and democratically governed community that assures holistic security to the population and is capable of permanent peaceful conflict management. Yiaga Africa (www.yiaga.org) is a civic hub of changemakers committed to promoting democracy, human rights and civic participation through advocacy, movement building, research and capacity building. With a vision of a people-driven democratic and developed Africa, Yiaga Africa Yiaga Africa works to build democratic societies anchored on the principles of inclusion, justice, transparency and accountability. Gavel (www.gavel.ng) accelerates the pace of justice delivery through access to justice, digital technology and citizens’ engagement. Amnesty International Nigeria (www.amnesty.org.ng) is a human rights organization, part of a global movement of over ten million people. Amnesty International Nigeria campaigns for meaningful human rights change, enables effective human rights activism and works to persuade governments and other actors to uphold universal human rights standards. We mobilize the humanity in everyone and campaigns for change so we can all enjoy our human rights.
PWAN (www.partnersnigeria.org, info@partnersnigeria.org, +234 8091257245) The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative is also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN)/ is a non-governmental organization dedicated to enhancing citizens’ participation and improving security governance in Nigeria and West Africa broadly, achieved through its Rule of Law and Citizens Security program areas. PWAN works to ensure inclusive and transparent governance as the underpinning of a democratic and prosperous society by facilitating important conversations for security sector stakeholders, strengthening the capacity of women to participate in democratic processes, ensuring credible elections through capacity building for state and non- state actors, and developing creative ways to prevent/counter violent extremism.
The Interactive Initiative for Social Impact (www.theinteractive.org) is a civic technology organization using interactive media and technological tools to influence practices and policies that empower vulnerable and underserved groups. The Interactive was established with the mission to stimulate practices and policies that empower vulnerable and underserved groups and give voice to their experiences through impact narratives, collective advocacy and civic technology.
Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI) Nigeria (www.nulai.org) is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization committed to promoting clinical legal education, legal education reform, legal aid and access to justice with a mission to build a network of cohesive university-based law clinics providing pro-bono legal services to the indigent and underserved; while training a new generation of skilled law students committed to public service and justice.
NMA Girl Child Promotion Committee Members from Right: Dr. Vivian Ogbonna, Dr. Omosivie Maduka, Dr. Vetty Agala, Prof. Rosemary Ogu and Dr. Henry Sota Jnr.
PRESS RELEASE by NMA Girl Child Promotion Committee in Collaboration with Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Branch. 11TH OCTOBER 2021 – INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD 2021
International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and celebrate and reinforce humanity’s achievements. The United Nations General Assembly in 2011 adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child.
The International Day of the Girl Child focuses on the need to address the challenges girls face and promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. Girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life during their critical formative years and as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors. An investment in realising the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
The Theme for this year’s celebration is Digital Generation: Our Generation. We are in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has accelerated digital platforms for learning, earning and connecting, while also highlighting girls’ diverse digital realities. The gender digital divide in connectivity, devices and use, skills and jobs is real. …It is an inequity and exclusion gap across geographies and generations that is our challenge to address if the digital revolution is to be for all, with all, by all. Digital generation. Our generation. Girls know their digital realities and the solutions they need to excel on their diverse pathways as technologists for freedom of expression, joy, and boundless potential. Let’s support so that every girl, regardless of race, gender, language, ability, economic status, and geographic origin – lives their full potential. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015 represent a sustainable roadmap for progress and leaves no one behind. Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to each of the 17 goals. Only by ensuring the rights of women and girls across all the goals will we get to economies that work for all, and sustaining our shared environment now and for future generations, it also has a multiplier effect across all other development areas. An investment in promoting the rights of our girls today, promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of discrimination, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability. The International Day of the Girl Child holds the key to achieving this as empowering women and girls, who represent half of the world’s population, is crucial to accelerating sustainable development.
Empowering women and girls and promoting gender equality is crucial to accelerating sustainable development. Ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, but it also has a multiplier effect across all other development areas. Let us assist young girls in growing into empowered women.
Ways to get involved At the NMA Girl Child Promotion Committee, We have called this press conference to sensitize and educate the general public; several social media campaigns are going on while career talks on ICT and distribution of sanitary pads across 3 Local Government areas are on. Let’s raise girls who have access to education, nutrition, proper healthcare, skill-based learning facilities, and equal opportunities, free from gender-based violence, discrimination, and forced marriage. Let’s share stories of inspiring adolescent girls who are tech trailblazers.
Support the Girl Child. Educate the Girl Child. Protect the Girl Child. Long Live the Nigeria Medical Association!!!
From Right, Dr. Vetty Agala (President MWAN-RS &Secretary, Girl Child Promotion Committee MWAN-RS), Hon. Mrs. Florence Amiesimaka (Former RISIEC Commissioner & Secretary FIDA), Dr. Doris Onyeneke (Founder, Mother Of Good Counsel Initiative-MOGCI) and Dr Omosivie Maduka(President Elect, MWAN Rivers).
Annually, 11th October is marked as a day to celebrate the Girl Child all over the World. This year, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter (MWAN) collaborated with Partners to support, senstize the Girl Child and 11th October,2021 will remain memorable in the minds of the beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries of the Sanitary Pads distribution
The International Day of the Girl child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. This year we joined the world to marked the day with the theme:”Digital Generation, Our Generation” in collaboration with some NGOs and girls’ forums, which was celebrated across 3 Local government areas in Rivers state.
Students at the arena
-Press release in collaboration with the Girl child promotion committee of Nigerian Medical Association ,Rivers State -Support to Mother of good counsel initiative towards the building of a Shelter”Girl centre” project.
Health education talks on menstrual cycle and hygiene, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases were given and 200 female students were gifted sanitary pads, this was in collaboration with Kalabari girl child foundation at Asari Toru LGA. -Health education talk give to the students and sanitary pads were given to over 400 female secondary students drawn from Abua/Odual, Ahoada West &East and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas, this held at ONELGA this was done in collaboration with Orashi girls forum. -Distribution of sanitary pads to 200 female students of the Rivers State University in collaboration with Aluta Conscious Females
Speak Up, Stand Out! – The SUSO Program For Changemakers (Monthly Stipend and Travel).
Nigerian Youth SDGs Network, Afrika Youth Movement and Center For Youth Advocacy and Development is calling for applications for its inaugural Speak Up, Stand Out (SUSO) Program. The SUSO Program aims to empower young community based social changemakers and transformers with media and information literacy knowledge, grassroots mobilisation skills to participate meaningfully in the socio-political development of their communities and influencing policies that affect youth. The project will empower 20 Activists with the knowledge, skills and resources to organise activism to challenge issues affecting youth, develop innovative ways to engage other young people and social actors to campaign and drive social change. Activists will receive monthly technical and financial support including mini-grants to create and implement a pilot project with 25 Advocates within 12 months. Focus Areas Education Employment Governance Peace and Security
Why Apply?
● Training and Support on youth activism, youth mobilisation, media and information literacy, etc.
● Opportunity to lead a funded project with support and resources to help you achieve success
● Opportunity to achieve your dream of creating meaningful social change in Nigeria with a team of passionate young people
● Monthly stipend and opportunity to travel within Nigeria
Who Should Apply?
● We seek applications from young activists who would be available and willing to work hard building with other young people and engaging actively in the Program for 13 months. The Program cycle begins in October 2021 and ends in October 2022. An ideal fellow should fit the profile outlined below;
● Young man or woman between 18 and 35 years who are passionate about any of these thematic areas of the Program; Education, Employment, Governance, Peace and Security
● Applicants can be students, initiators of a socially focused organisation or freelancers, but must commit at least 20 hours per week to the Program.
● Applicants must be available to participate in the Program activities, including implementation of community projects within the duration of the Program.
● Applicants must show leadership potentials and work and interact with other young people across different cities.
● Applicants must be residents in any of these three Nigerian states; Abuja, Lagos or Enugu.
Click Here to Apply: https://bit.ly/CallForACTIVISTs The SUSO Program is implemented under the Voice Global Nigeria Influencing Grants targeting organisations and networks to strengthen their lobby and advocacy capacities including to amplify the voice of marginalised and discriminated groups. For more details, read more on the Speak Up, Stand Out! – The SUSO For Changemakers website For Enquiries; Kindly send an email to suso@nigerianyouthsdgs.org
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2020 (ZOOM SESSION HELD ONLINE FROM PORT HARCOURT), HOSTED BY SMITH NWOKOCHA, A UN VOLUNTEER, A MEMBER OF UNEP MCGY, ADMINISTRATOR OF FRIDAY-FOR-FUTURE, NIGERIA AND A VOLUNTEER OF 350.ORG.
In his opening remark, Smith Nwokocha, emphasized, that it is time to nurture nature instead of damaging and destroying nature. Just like the theme of this year “Celebrating BIODIVERSITY”, focusing on “Time For Nature”. The pandemic has taught us that we cannot operate in isolation, but to come together and accelerate the progress of any issues or task. We know it is possible. We need to invest in what is to come, not what is here.
The Executive Director (Inger Andersen) of UN Environment Programme (UNEP); in her speech at WED 2020. She said; “As we mark a most unusual #WorldEnvironmentDay, it is time to remember that when we protect the planet, we protect ourselves. It is time #ForNature, because, this will help us: (a) Lower risk of future pandemics. (b) Slow Climate Change. (C) #BuildBackBetter and healthier than before.
Student of Our Lady of Fatima College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, introduced a device that could filter air, a solution device to curb the Black SOOT in Rivers State. Such a Novell idea.
FIRST SPEAKER: ADITYA SIVA DAS (INDIAN).
Why should the youth advocate climate change and mark world Environmental Day?
On Friday, 20th September 2019, 350.org in partnership
with Eco-Network marked the Global Climate Strike Day by organizing an
Awareness Walk and Sensitization Session in the City of Port-Harcourt, Rivers
State, Nigeria. #ClimateStrike #AfrikaVuka
The Convener Amb. Smith Nwokocha during the sensitization period
before the Walk, he emphasized that the Government, Multinationals, Corporate
Organizations, CSOs, the Media including Individuals need to come together and
collaborate to find lasting solutions to Climate Change, especially as the
State is faced with BLACK SOOT among other Climate Change challenges, which is
as a result of Climate Change. And Amb. Nwokocha, further appeal to the
Government and relevant Stakeholders to engage individuals involved in Oil
bunkering and other illegal Oil dealings rather than disperse them. Finally, he
mentioned that individuals and agencies should stay away from activities contributing
to Climate Change.
PHwakawaka 