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

Launch Of Peace Club Mentors’Guide and Inauguration of Peace Club in Pilot Schools in Kogi State.

PEACE CLUB is to bring about a change in awareness and patterns of thought which will lead to change in the behavior of young people. This will result in a way of living in which the values of mutual respect and tolerance for others and equal and just society will become a reality. It will be a society that regards peace as state of mind, a chosen value, a norm and a way of life.

The objectives of setting up Peace Clubs are not far fetch which are to improve young people’s leadership, cooperative problem solving and critical thinking skills that will aid their ability to become future leader and to improve young peoples understanding of cultural differences and similarities increase their respect and appreciation of diversity.

Mr. Oluwole Elegbede ably representing ActionAid Nigeria Country Director Mrs. Ene Obi giving a key note address at the program.

Participation Initiative For Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID and ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with Office of the Special Adviser to Kogi State Government on Education and Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and other stakeholders, put together a participatory toolkit that will contribute to peace building and the creation of more enabling environment where young people can actively channel their energies into positive endeavours towards national development and peaceful co-existence.

Pupils and Students of the schools present during their poem, Peace Club act and Drama presentation

500 Children from Igalamela/Odolu, Adavi and Lokoja Local Government Area were in attendance. The Program seeks to empower teachers and pupils with skills and knowledge of peace and conflict resolution.

500 Children present at the program

This will help them resolve their own conflict amicably at schools, homes and in the community and to carry out disputes and conflict prevention management in schools.

Goodwill Messages from Government Dignitaries, Non-governmental Organization, Association of Private Schools, Security Agencies and Religious Groups

This program has been designed to promote interaction between young people from a variety of backgrounds to build bridges for the future and to help strengthen a peaceful society in Kogi State. To help peace club members develop increased, leadership, cooperative problem solving and cross-cultural skills that they can use to promote friendship and improve understanding between their peers from diverse backgrounds

This project is self sustaining where we have the teachers of each schools as mentors and the project designed to spread across the State. – Mrs, Gift Omoniwa Executive Director PIBCID.

Mr. Anicetus Atakpu the program officer Human Security and Conflict Management in ActionAid Nigeria during a PowerPoint presentation at the program

The Main objective of the Club is to fight against Violence and adapt Peaceful methods to solve differences. It aims to prepare the pupils/students for building a peaceful world by empowering them with necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills. – Mr. Anicetus Atakpu Program Officer Human Security and Conflict Management ActionAid Nigeria

The Inauguration of the Peace Clubs in Pilot Schools in Kogi State by the representative of the State Governor Alhaja Yahaya Adoza Bello.

During the official launch of the Peace Club Mentors’Guide by the representative of the wife of the Executive Governor of Kogi State Mrs. Bolanle Ampitun the Commissioner of Women Affairs and social development.

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.

Your Vote Your Voice, Sell Not!!! – NGOs, CSO, Youth Groups and CBOs warns.

In a democracy, a government is chosen by voting in an election : a way for an electorate to elect, i.e. choose, among several candidates for rule.

Voting is a method for a group, such as, a meeting or an electorate to make a decision or express an opinion, usually following discussions, debates or election campaigns. Democracies elect holders of high office by voting. Residents of a place represented by an elected official are called “constituents”, and those constituents who cast a ballot for their chosen candidate are called “voters”.

Vote buying and selling been an issue in democracy, hereby obstructing democratic process, yet they remain pervasive in many developing democracies.

Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development PIBCID in collaboration with Hands Across Africa Development Initiative and Activista Kogi State with support from ActionAid Nigeria organized a day Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on Vote Buying/Selling and Election Violence in the upcoming 2018 Bye Election for the Lokoja/Koton-Karfi Federal Constituency and 2019 General Elections, in view of the recent 2018 Gubernatorial Election in Ekiti State Nigeria.

The Consultative Meeting aimed at stopping Vote Buying and Selling which is undermining the electorates in freely electing their representative and leaders which could lead to electoral violence in the state especially at the grassroot level.

Mr Idris Miliki Abdul Executive Director Centre For Human Rights and Conflict Resolution CHRCR during his presentation on Vote buying/selling and electoral violence: The implications for Lokoja/Koto August 11th 2018 Bye Election and 2019 General Election

INEC will ensure a level playing field for all participating political parties – Prof. James Iorham Apam Resident Electoral Commissioner Kogi State.

The media has promised to purge itself of fake news and unethical reportage that is capable of causing disaffection and electoral violence – Mr Ibrahim Adejoh – Radio Nigeria Prime FM 101.5 Lokoja.

Civil Society Organization, Youths, Women groups, Community Based Organization, Association of Persons with Disabilities and the Security agencies who Participated in at the Consultative meeting says No To Vote Buying and Selling in the State.

Participants holding Placards and pledging for a peaceful upcoming 2018 Bye Election and 2019 general Election

Group photo of the Organizers and the participants at the meeting.

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.