Women with disabilities suffer a lot of discrimination in terms of participation in the society – AWWDI

A disability is an impairment that may be cognitive , developmental , intellectual , mental, physical , sensory , or some combination of these. It substantially affects a person’s life activities and may be present from birth or occur during a person’s lifetime. – According to Wikipedia

Advocacy for Women With Disabilities Initiative AWWDI in collaboration with Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID and ActionAid Nigeria AAN held a stakeholders forum with women living with this disabilities in Kogi State, Nigeria.

Gift Omoniwa – Executive Director PIBCID giving the welcome address to the participants at the forum

The forum demands that there should be urgent need to pass law that protects person with disabilities against discrimination from the community and also need for the civil society mainstream capacity building of persons with disabilities especially women with disabilities

Miss Bilikisu Yakubu – Chairperson AWWDI Kogi State Chapter presenting the plights of Women with Disabilities

Stereotyped and negative attitude towards people with disabilities devalue us. Most of the discrimination experienced by women with disabilities is based on implicit notion that we are not the same as the other women. – Mrs Bilikisu Yakubu.

Queen Christopher a member of AWWDI moderating during the experience sharing section.

Stakeholders at the event commending the effort of the organizers

Group photos of the organizers and the participants at the forum.

Maputo 2003 Declaration instigates State Level Consultation Meeting on 2019 Kogi State Agriculture Budget.

The Maputo 2003 declaration initiative that mandates all African countries to set aside 10% of their Annual capital budget for Agriculture activities. This fund is hope to enhance the small scale farming and move it towards the much needed effectuation that will spore social and economic development.

Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria AAN held a state level consultation meeting on 2019 Kogi State Agriculture Budget where the 2018 Agriculture budget was analysed,

of which the meeting includes planary discussion, multimedia budget analysis presentation, questions and answers.

Budget tracking has been a very difficult task in Kogi State mainly because the beneficiaries of the funds are not clearly stated – Gift Taiye Owonipa Executive Director PIBCID.

The 2018 Kogi State Agriculture Budget is an improvement over the years from 2.7% in 2016 to 6.56% in 2018. However, 2018 budget did not meet up with the Maputo 2003 declaration initiative for 10% funding for Agriculture.

Recommendations were made for 2019 Kogi State Agriculture Budget that there is a need for increased budgetary allocation to Agriculture in the State to meet up with the Maputo 2003 declaration of 10%.

Mr Ahmed Abraham Director Statistics in Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture

Agriculture policy of the State was introduced by the State Ministry of Agriculture to the meeting to help produce a bottom to top budget that is the rural areas where farmers are mostly located will have contributions to the 2019 budget, it is aimed at creating employment for youths in Kogi State, ensures food sufficiency and providing enabling environment for generation of high Gross Domestic Profit GDP from Agriculture.

Address by the Chairperson of the Kogi State Public Financing of Agriculture PFA committee at the State level Consultation meeting of stakeholders.

Agricultural sector is one sector that can generate the much needed employment opportunities and create the wealth that pull our communities out of poverty – Mr Martins Okpanachi Chairperson PFA committee.

There is need for timely preparation, approval and release of resources to ensure that inputs and farming resources get to farmers as at when due. – Princess Secretary Small Scale Women Farmer of Nigeria SWOFON Kogi State Chapter.

The Legislatures will assist the Ministry of Agriculture in anyway to accent the 2019 Agric budget when presented to the State House of Assembly in accordance to the maputo 2003 declaration of 10% allocation – Mr Jiya Aliyu A. representing the State House of Assembly.

The NGOs and CSOs can better access the performance of the budget implementation by going to the field where this budget is being implemented that is looking beyond analysing figures. – Mr Sanni H.M Director budget Kogi State Ministry of Budget and Planning.

I appreciate the committee on the Public Finance on Agriculture PFA for representing us well on this forum, that the need for increased budgetary allocation in the state will be accommodated to meet up with the Maputo 2003 declaration of 10% – Mr Peter Ojo Stephen Permanent Secretary of Kogi State Ministry of Budget and Planning.

Mr Hamza Aliyu PFA Committee member presenting analysis of Kogi State 2018 Agriculture Budget.

Cross section of Participants at the State Level Consultation Meeting on 2019 Kogi Agriculture Budget.

SI4DEV sets to partner with the key stakeholders in ending the misuse of drugs in the State.

Strategy and Innovation For Development Initiative SI4DEV Kogi believes in the power of people and communities to lead social change and sustainable development and also partner with local change makers to offer capacity building.

Drug misuse commonly known as abuse is a term used commonly when prescription medication with sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, or stimulant properties are used for mood alteration or intoxication ignoring the fact that overdose of such medicines can sometimes have serious adverse effects.

Drug abuse makes youth violent and often makes them unstable. Drug abusers can pose threat and harm to the society or neighborhood they live in as their sudden outbursts of angers are unpredictable. Students under the influence of drugs, addicts act out violently.

The violence affects the entire family physically and emotionally. They might pose harm to them resulting in serious injuries as drugs makes them lose their ability to think and this tend to affect their education as students.

SI4DEV in their believe of improving the health of communities and also the society visited National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA Kogi State Command and Kogi State Ministry of Health.

Alh. Idris Mohammed Bello NDLEA Kogi State Commander

On the 18th of July 2018, SI4DEV Team visited National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA Kogi State for support in sensitizing the youths on the negative effects of drug abuse especially on the school children who are victims of drug abuse in our society today.

Alh. Idris Mohammed Bello NDLEA Kogi State Commander welcomed the team and appreciates their effort in ending drug abuse, he promised to partner with the team and also work with them to end it. He also added that he will also offer to train the team and other youth focused group in Kogi State that has this same agenda as the technical support they will offer and other support in subsequent times.

Pst. Kolawole Johnson Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health representing the Commissioner Ministry of Health Kogi State Hon. Saka Audu.

On the 19th of July 2018 the team visited Kogi State Ministry of Health, Pst. Kolawole Johnson Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health representing the Commissioner Ministry of Health Kogi State Hon. Saka Audu received the team and was happy youth of such age can dedicate themselves in curbing this menace that is trying to take the youth of this generation away.

He promised to be of full support to the group in any way in make sure this sickness does not spread and affect the well being of thousands of youths in Kogi State.

Group photo: SI4DEV team with NDLEA Kogi State Commander with his team

SI4DEV Team

Peace is needed by all human nature that believe in a social environment which makes life more enjoyable and for the well-being of its populous. – World Institute for Peace WIP Kogi State Chapter

World Institute for Peace WIP Kogi State to be officially launched on the 21st September 2018 in commemoration of the World Peace day and as the objectives of the organization in promoting peace, enhancing humanitarian services and preserving people’s rights, WIP set to partner with other Non- Governmental Organization NGOs, civil society organization CSOs, Community Based Organization CBOs and key Stakeholders in maintaining peace in the State and the Country at large.

Peace is a lack of conflict and freedom from fear of violence between individuals and heterogeneous social groups. One of way of giving path to a peaceful society is for people to put in practice, where possible, ways that contribute in developing new avenues for co-operation as well as an end to violence, especially to organized and increasingly destructive violence.

WIP team with the Executive Director Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID (third from left) and staffs

Engr AbdulMalik Abdullahi Okino business tycoon, chartered Manager/Certified Business Consultant (Third from the right)

The WIP Team with Barr Tunde Irukera DG Consumer Protection Council CPC (third from the right)

The WIP team with Natasha Akpoti Founder, Builders Hub Impact Investment Program (third from the right)

The NGOs, CSOs, CBOs and key Stakeholders visited promise to partner with the group and show their support toward curbing menace and ensuring a State in peace.

The possibility of having a more peaceful society means that people need to view issues related to conflict as dealt with by common available alternatives that help in resolving disputes without recurring to violence. In many situations when a conflict rises, there are always alternatives that lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflict that need to be exploited.

Sport speaks to youth in the language they understand – National Youth Council Of Nigeria NYCN Ajaka Ward 1 Sub Chapter Kogi State.

Sport speaks no language, has no race and no creed or culture. In a world where religion and race cause rivalry and war, sport brings something that nothing else even comes close to giving, peace and unity. Whether it is locally, nationally or worldwide we all come together to socialise and appreciate sport, as well as the enjoyment and excitement we get from it. Sport creates teamwork, which makes us work together and look past skin colour, gender, race, religion, flaws and imperfections because we are in it together.

Sport is a language that people all over the world can speak. There are little or no communication barriers when it comes to sport. For many people it is seen as just a game, but it is so much more.

National Youth Council Of Nigeria NYCN Ajaka Ward 1 Sub Chapter in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State sets up a Local Football Competition in such a way that it does not only discover local talents for National and International advantage, but strengthens the unity and peace in the communities that made up Ajaka Ward 1 in Igalamela/Odolu LGA.

The football competition kick started on the 3rd of February, 2018 with fifteen (15) teams that represented fourty-four (44) communities that made up Ajaka Ward 1 in Igalamela/Odolu LGA. The grand final of the competition commences today 14th July 2018 here in Ofuloko Community between Egbehiame and Oguma Football teams.

Comrade Aminu Faruna NYCN Ajaka Ward 1 Sub Chapter President

NYCN uses this privilege and honour to call on the government, private organizations and philanthropist to engage the youths in local sport activities so that they can discover their talent instead of being used as agent of crime such as political thugs.

Hon. Prince Salisu Ogu Sani S.O.S

The Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports Kogi State Prince Salisu Ogu Sani S.O.S commends the group for the great effort in bringing the youth together and treading the path of peace and unity in these communities. He promised to create a tournaments such as this here and in different local governments to foster peace and unity and also for sustainable development in the state to avoid youths being used as agents of destruction.

Egbahiame (Red jersey) and Oguma (Green jersey) Football teams

“Sport creates teamwork, strength, friendships, love, rivalry, competition, growth, endurance, passion, motivation, determination, desire, inspiration, triumph and honour. Things we as people strive to achieve in everyday life and much more.,”

“See it as a call to improve the lives of others around you” Mandela Day – YALI Network Kogi.

Nelson Mandela Day not only celebrates Nelson Mandela’s life, but it is also a global call to action for people to recognize their ability to have a positive effect on others around them. The day hopes to inspire people to embrace the values that Mandela shared. These values include democracy, freedom, equality, diversity, reconciliation, and respect.

NELSON MANDELA

Many people and organizations around the world take part in many activities to promote Nelson Mandela Day. These activities include volunteering, sport, art, education, music and culture.

Mandela Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela , celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela’s birthday. The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. However, other groups began celebrating Mandela Day on 18 July 2009.

Nelson Mandela Day celebrates his life and achievements, but we feel that it should be used for much more than that. We see it as a call to action for them to improve the lives of the people around us. – Eunice Ciwon Emmanuel Baji Kogi State Coordinator YALI Network.

Young African Leaders Initiative YALI Network Kogi commemorates Mandela Day under the platform of #YALIServes with the Children in Lokoja School for Deaf Zango Daji Kogi State. YALI Network Kogi Team introduced the icon Nelson Mandela to the School and said the positive change in his struggles was the gift left to all of us by Nelson Mandela, but it can only become a living legacy if we take up his challenge.

Let us all emulate the servant leader we loved by becoming servant leaders ourselves because Nelson Mandela saw himself first and foremost as a servant of South Africa’s people, to whom he felt he owed a duty, and who he led by example. The team urged the students to make their present challenge as a stepping stone in attaining great success in future and make Nelson Mandela their mentor.

Mr. Arome Ibrahim Chairman JONAPWD Kogi State

The Chairman Joint National Association for People With Disabilities JONAPWD appreciated the group for this great opportunity, saying for we are glad to know the youths care about us. The Mandela Day celebration opened their eyes to the fact that I am physically challenged doesn’t mean I can’t impact positively on lives, especially Helen Keller who is the first deaf-blind person to earn a bachelor of arts, and lived her as a servant being an activist.

Miss Sefiyah State Coordinator WIP

Miss Sefiyah State Coordinator World Institute for Peace WIP stressed that the day remembers Mandela’s achievements in working towards conflict resolution, democracy, human rights and peace.

Mrs Halima Oiza Sadiq Program Officer Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID

Mrs Halima Oiza Sadiq Program Officer Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID said to the students; Mandela Day is not just about the icon but an everyday man who made the choice to lead by serving. So make him you mentor and let him influence you positively.

Jonathan ActionAid Nigeria Activista

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (July 18, 1918 to December 5, 2013) was a nonviolence anti-apartheid activist, politician and philanthropist who became South Africa’s first black president from 1994 to 1999. You all have to live your lives as if all the challenges you face are what you expect in the journey of life. For generations to come, Nelson Mandela will continue to be a source of inspiration for civil rights activists worldwide. – Jonathan ActionAid Nigeria Activista

Elder Anifowoshe (Deaf) the Proprietor of Lokoja School of Deaf Zango Daji Kogi

Elder Anifowoshe (Deaf) the Proprietor of Lokoja School of Deaf Zango Daji Kogi appreciated the team for coming and shared his story on how he came about establishing a school for the physically challenged like himself was not an easy journey but his chose that road to give to the community what he has received and also to save others like him from discrimination. He also viewed Nelson Mandela as an icon.

Bridget Ezeh a writer and member of YALI Network Kogi

Nelson Mandela Day celebrates his life and achievements, but looking at Helen Keller who is deaf-blind activist who campaigned for women’s suffrage , labor rights , socialism ,
antimilitarism , and other similar causes. This particular icon should inspire us that being physically challenged is never to be seen as a set back in achieving your desired goal in life. – Bridget Ezeh a writer and member of YALI Network Kogi

I appreciate this group who took out their time to visit us and we will continue to take care of ourselves- SSA to the Governor 0f Kogi State on People With Disabilities PWD Hon. Hassan Ahmed

Cross section Students of Lokoja School of Deaf Zango daji recieving gifts for active Participation

Cross Section of the Team and the Children

Group photos of YALI Network Kogi team and the school managements