ActionAid Nigeria AAN seeks to build bridges; creating alternative against Violence Extremism; SARVE II Project Launch.

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) work on Poverty Eradication and Violence Extremism in the last decade has shown us the political marginalization and socioeconomic exclusion of Young persons in Nigeria has made them vulnerable to radicalization and ready tools for violence extremism

Violence Extremism “emerged out of a complex environment of vulnerable individuals, community grievances, national ideological campaigns and global factors” (Lisa, Schirch 2018).

ActionAid Nigeria(AAN) with support of Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and collaboration with Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID) launches the Phase II of System and Structure Strengthening Approach Against Radicalisation to Violence Extremisim (SARVE) in Kogi State;

The Phase I of the project was carried out in Four pilot communities in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kogi State among youths and women aiming at preventing Violence Extremism of which 12,985 youths,4,230 women and 8,705 men were reached directly. It is in this same vein AAN is extending the intervention further to 12 communities in Four LGAs in Kogi State and 12 communities in Six LGAs in Nasarawa State.

Mr Anicetus Atakpu Project Coordinator AAN and Miss Lola Communications Coordinator AAN as Anchor and Co-Anchor at SARVE II Launch in Kogi State

SARVE II project aims to see community resilience against violence extremism strengthened in Kogi and Nasarawa State.

Mrs. Tasallah Chibok Director Director Programme, AAN representing the Country Director AAN Mrs Enr Obi giving the overview of ActionAid and SARVE II Project

The project intends to reach 36,000 direct beneficiaries including 18,200 youths (12,600 male and 5,600 female) , 4,160 women, 7,320 men,6,320 in school children (3,160 male and 3,160 female) and 129,360 indirect beneficiaries including 69,600 youths, 11,500 women, 29,280 men, 18,980 in-school children in Kogi and Nasarawa States across 12 LGAs and 24 Communities.

Community stakeholders at the launch

The action will be implemented over the maximum frame of 33 months (April 2019 – December 2021)

The project officially launch by the State Secretary General to the Governor of Kogi State Mrs Folashade Arike representing the State Governor

#NaijaVotes2019 implemented in the various senatorial District of Kogi State by Passionate and Patriotic Youths.

The quality of Nigeria’s 2019 elections will have repercussions on the future of democracy across the continent. This depends on citizens! Participating in elections is the foundation of the broader role citizens must play to keep a democracy strong and healthy. Youth are stepping up to play their part to ensure Nigeria continues to be a democratic country.

Young African Leaders Initiative YALI Network Kogi with partnership support of United state Embassy in Nigeria and working in collaboration with the CSOs in the State implemented NaijaVotes campaign which encourages Nigerian youth to: boost voter participation, promote voting with integrity, encourage truth and accuracy in information-sharing, and inspire communities to reject violence in west, central and east senatorial district of Kogi state.

Miss Bilikisi State Chairperson Advocacy for Women With Disability initiative AWWDI sensitiazing the citizen of Osaragada, Kogi Central on the roles women and special women have to play during the upcoming election

Mr. Mayaiki Program manager YALI Network Kogi with the people of Ejule, Kogi East

Vox Populi (Voice of the people) #Naijavotes at Lokoja Kogi West

Short video on #Naijavotes Community Dialogue in the various Senatorial District of Kogi.

Over 3000 persons reached directly across all three senatorial districts. From feedback received in the course of engagement. Vote Buying, Voter Apathy and Electoral Violence were the most pressing issues on the mind of the electorates. Responders also called for a more transparent and credible election process from the Independent and National Electoral Commission.

Personal Insights/Quotes

Before this Community Dialogue with YALI Network Kogi, I believe my vote doesn’t count, but now it does.- Mr. Idowu Musa Osaragada community Youth leader Kogi Central.

I can not risk my life to because I want to vote oo.. But i think i can even make the election safer for myself and my community – Mrs. Aisha Gatekeeper Osaragada community

Ejule, Lokoja and Osaragada Community at the East, West and Central Senatorial District respectively in Kogi State recieved our message with so much gladness , the negative narrative of electioneering process was changed and citizens in these communities were transformed greatly – Miss Eunice Emmanuel Bagi State coordinator YALI Network Kogi

YALI Network Kogi Sets to Flag off Naija Votes 2019 #9javotes Campaign in the State.

Naija votes Campaign encourages free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections in Nigeria in 2019 upcoming election.

One factor that will after election legitimacy if FAKE NEWS. #9javotes campaign is set to educate citizenry on their rights and responsibilities including the responsibility to be well informed. Voting wisely requires knowing about the candidate and issues during the electioneering period. But Fake News makes this hard by clouding the truth which can equally lead to violence hereby undermining the legitimacy of the election outcome.

To stop Fake News from tearing our society apart; STOP. REFLECT. VERIFY.

The Naija Votes Campaign is Championed by Yali Network Kogi supported by US Embassy Abuja in collaboration with Participation Initiative For Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID/ActionAid Nigeria, Hands Across Africa Development Initiative HAADI and Joint Association Of People With Disability JONAPWD seek to flag off the campaign in Kogi via community sensitization and State level awareness creation, ensuring citizens do their parts to avoid false reports, rumors and knowing their roles, rights and responsibility in in ensuring a free, fair and credible election.

The Campaign encompasses around Pre-Election, Election and Post-Election Day;

1. MY VOTE IS NOT FOR SALE! Ending Vote buying and selling in the state.
2. GOOD GOVERNANCE; The price of my vote, Your vote is the key to good governance.
3. Free and Fair Election; Knowing your Role, Rights and Responsibility as a citizen and as an electorate.
4. Violence During Election; Reject violence, choose peace and shape the future
5. MY VOTE; My vote. My Voice. My Future.

Your Potential for impact on the upcoming 2019 elections will grow with your understanding of the role of citizens, both during elections and in holding elected officials accountable.

For more information on Naija Votes Campaign please visit https://yali.state.gov/naijavotes/

And also Take Courses on our platform to broaden your knowledge on Understanding Elections and Civic Responsibility. https://yali.state.gov/course-714/#/

Igalamela/Odolu and Adavi LGA, Kogi State Voter/Civic Education Training on Election Process.

Two day training on voter/civic education in electoral process was held on the 14TH -15TH & 16TH -17TH AUGUST 2018 in Adavi and Igalamela /Odolu LGA. In attendance were 60 participants that involve Youth leaders/representatives from 5 communities in Adavi LGA (osara, Osaragada, Aku, Atami, Osisi) and 5 communities in Igalamela/Odolu LGA (Ofuloko, Ayah, Ujagba, Okpapata, Ogbogba).

In the course of the training, the participants’ knowledge were improved and broaden more on the interrelationship or linkages in democracy on free and fair elections and good governance. Participants were enlightened and understood more of their roles and responsibilities as citizens in attaining reliable electoral process.
The participants from the two Local Government Areas now know more of what democractic government owns them, as well as its benefits or dividends as a citizenry of Nigeria.

Participants from the two LGAs expresses their views

Their knowledge has also been improved on the type of elections conducted in the country and how a winner emerges in every election.
The training has also made the participants know what and who must be fair in an election before it could be seen as a free and fair elections.
It has as well made the participants aware of the differences among Civic Education, Voter Education and Voter Information through their dynamic Concept, Focus, Time (period), Responsible Bodies, Medium and Target.

Mr. Umar Danasebe Mohammed Executive Director Hands Across Africa development Initiative during the program.

They were as well skilled in Civic Education, Voter Education and Voter Information advantages and their target groups like the electorates, including women, youth and vulnerable, first time voters (those reaching voting age).
The trainees also acknowledged that the Voter Education would a long way increase the level of participations in electoral process, mostly in queuing into continuous voters’ registration and increase in voter turnouts, limited rejected ballots (invalid), reduction in election-related acts of intimidation and violence.
The trainees were also trained on who are the election stakeholders and their duties. They were aware of the responsibilities of INEC (Independent Electoral Commission), SIEC (State Independent Electoral Commission), political parties and electorates as well as electoral rights and the need for inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the equity they deserved.
The participants were also equipped with the roles of Security Agents, Media, Election Observers and Judiciary in an electoral process. They were also trained on the roles of Election day personnel and who they are.

Before, during and after Election is relevant and should be free and fair – Jonathan Activista Kogi

The phases involve in the electoral cycle as well as electoral cycle’s periods were also impacted into the skills of the trainees. Finally, the participants were made to realize what electoral offences are, and what citizenry could do to fall victim of electoral offences and the penalties he or she is to be charge on.

YALI NETWORK KOGI FACE TO FACE MEET UP Featuring ELECTION/INAUGURATION OF NEW EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network Kogi was on a new bridge, after a successful completion of office for the first, previous executives and an inauguration of new executive members who will champion the leadership activities of the group in the state for another one year as prescribed.

The session which was held during the August Face to Face meeting, at federal university Lokoja involves a mentorship session, deliberations, goodwill messages from Regional Leadership Center Alumni, Nomination, Presentation of candidates and their Manifestoes from candidates as provided within YALI rights, voting and inauguration of new Executive members.

During the auspicious moment, the Mentor for the month, Ovo Otarigho, Executive Director, Impact Driven Young Initiatives and Coordinator YALI Network Abuja while taking the mentoring process and thereafter coordinates the process involved in electing the new executive members, ensure strict YALI rights as provided, providing advice’s and suggestion, speaks on the needs to sincerely involves in impact driven acts of volunteering within the groups, its activities, spur growth, prosperity, good governance and the likes in our community.

Ovo Otarigho, Executive Director, Impact Driven Young Initiatives and Coordinator YALI Network Abuja during the Face to Face Meeting.

YALI he said is all about capacity building through academic coursework, leadership training, professional development and networking; relevance in our current sociopolitical climate, all paramount to shaping our societies because as an act of patriotism respiring volunteering, we disapproves any form of injustices. He encouraged the new YALI Kogi executive and other members to work as a team irrespective of their position or incentives from any where.

The mentorship session was a hone to arise in youth the courage and practice of entrepreneurship, civic leadership responsibility, community development, promoting innovation and positive impact, prepare them to lead their societies, organization, institution, community and the country as a whole with integrity.

Mr. Umar Danasebe Mohammed the Election Umpire during the Electoral Process at the Face to Face meeting

After a thorough mentorship session, there was a free, fair nominations, consultation and election. Afterwards there was casting, sorting and counting of votes for the two candidates contesting for the post of deputy state coordinator, an unanimous capacity based nomination, recommendation conclusion for the previous state coordinator to continue as it is for another durations and for the other newly nominated/elected executive members (Public Relation Officer, General Secretary, Program Manager and Social Media Manager).

During the Inauguration of the Newly Elected YALI Network Kogi Executives

The auspicious ceremony which comes to an end with networking among members, invited guest, merriments and with a group photographs.

Group photo of the Abuja Coordinator YALI Network, Newly elected Executives of YALI Network Kogi and the members

The newly Elected and Inaugurated Executive Members for YALI Network Kogi are:

*Eunice Emmanuel-Bagi* STATE COORDINATOR

*Victor Akabueze* DEPUTY STATE COORDINATOR

*Kareem Abdulraheem Onivehu* GENERAL SECRETARY

*Fatima Aminu* FINANCIAL SECRETARY

*Husseini Kabiru Omale* PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER

*Abdulslimzy Maiyaki* PROGRAMS MANAGER

*Jimoh Godwin* SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER.

Kogi Youth Advocacy Cluster sets up a press conference on Kogi Youth Development Commission Bill commemorating International Youth day 2018 celebration themed “Safe Spaces For Youths”.

International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth . The first IYD was observed on 12 August , 2000. It’s pertinent to note that this year international youth day, with the theme: “Safe Spaces for Youth” is very important for Sustainable youth development in Kogi state. This is because the youth need safe space where they can come together, engage in activities related to our diverse needs and interest, and participate in decision-making process to freely express themselves.

Kogi Youth Advocacy Cluster which is a coalition of Non-governmental Organization NGOs, Civil Society Organization CSOs, Youth focused group and Community Based Organization CBOs held a press conference on Kogi Youth Development Commission Bill to commemorate the International Youth Day 2018 on the 13th of August 2018 at the National Union of Journalist NUJ Press Centre Lokoja Kogi State. Kogi Youth Development Commission Bill is a necessary tool for youth empowerment and development. This bill would not have come at a better time than now that the world is turning attention to youth development. In line with the United Nations 2018, International Youth Day theme, this bill also seeks to advocate for “Safe Spaces For Youths”.

The bill shall help to create jobs & economic development opportunities through a legally established independent and recognized institution. Saddled solely with this important responsibility. It will attract counterpart funding from federal government and International donor agencies to fund youth development programs and activities in the state.

Okwutepa Aminu Oseni Cordinator Kogi Youth development Commission Bill #KYDC Bill giving a press briefing during the press conference at National Union of Journalist NUJ Press Centre Lokoja.

ActionAid Nigeria and Participation Initiative For Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID a Non – Governmental Organization in Kogi State whose core objective is “modifying behavior for positive change” and also an advocate for“Social Justice” offered technical support to the group by setting up an advocacy roundtable discussion on the bill which was held in Abuja on the 23rd of June 2018 and also supported the group with Information, Education and Communication IEC materials to help drive the campaign.

We are Solidly behind the great youths of Kogi State, for this bill will bring about sustainable development and will also reduce youth restiveness in the State. – Mrs Gift Omoniwa Executive Director Participation Initiative For Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID, also representing ActionAid Nigeria.

It is my earnest desire that we call for public hearing on this bill as soon as possible and expedite further action towards having a robust law for the development of youth in the State. – Hon. Ahmed Mohammed, representating Ankpa 1 Constituency at the Kogi State House of Assembly, the lead sponsor of the KYDCBILL.

Press men at the conference asking questions and commending youths for this great step taken.

The advocacy for the establishment of the bill was conducted against the background of poor funding, lack of collaboration and synergy between government agencies responsible for employment generation and implementation, lack of policy for sustainable youth programs which has emancipated poor youth orientation and mindset skill gap, high unemployment rate, under employment, youth restiveness and other social vices in the State.

This bill shall help to create jobs and economic development opportunities through a legally established independent and recognized institution. Therefore the Sustainability of this bill is paramount- Mr. Umar Danasebe Mohammed Executive Director Hands Across Africa Development Initiative

Group Photo at the press conference