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

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.

PEACE CONCERT 2018: Visual art simulates Youths more – World Institute For Peace Kogi Branch.

The increasing participation of youths in violent activities in Nigeria in recent times is a source of worry to both policy-makers and researchers alike. Most violent activities, ranging from armed robbery, cultism, rape, street fighting, electoral violence, to violence during crises moments in Nigeria are being perpetrated by youths. Yet, the very future of this country depends on the kind of youths the present generation is able to nurture. Youths have a number of characteristics, which include physical stamina, exuberance, intelligence, and perseverance, among others. All these potentials, if properly harnessed, constitute an invaluable asset to any nation. Failure to fully harness these potentials in youths only spells disaster for the future of any nation.

World Institute for Peace Kogi State Branch an organization that is out to curbing menace in the society with the aim of promoting peace, Enhancing humanitarian services and persevering human rights held a Peace concert on the 4th of August 2018. The Organization used visual simulation which is a global art that could queue a range of positive emotion, communication, exploring the past, the present and the future.

The Movie HOTEL RWANDA of 2004 shows tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi peoples lead to a war in Rwanda, where corruption and bribes between politicians are routine. World Institute for Peace Kogi State Branch used the movie as medium to pass the message of peace to the citizens in Kogi state and across the country.

Photos of World Institute for Peace Kogi Team and the youths of Kogi State stands for Peace.

Peacebuilding on the other hand refers to the steps taken by multiple stakeholders towards establishing positive peace in the society. World Institute for Peace Kogi Branch as a Peace seeking organization launches the State Square as a “Peace Circle” for youths in the State to refer to the circle as point that will spark up the ideology of peaceful coexistence setting aside every differences (racism, Religious, Ethnicity). – Administrator World Institute For Peace Kogi State Branch.

Patient’s Bill of Rights

*What is The Patient’s Bill of Rights?*

If you’re reading this, I’m very sure you’re curious to know what The Patient’s Bill of Rights is all about…

Nigerian’s are familiar with the poor services and facilities of the Health Sector in the Country, especially the “ordinary Nigerians”, and for the “few” they have the resources to travel to Countries of their choice to get Medical treatment…

Doctors and Nurses of Government/Private Health facilities are noted for poor relations with patients, Doctor/Nurses-Patients relationship is very poor, so many lives have been lost due to Doctors negligence and nurses harsh reaction to patients…

Not to talk of so many lives that should be cared for but died due to Doctors and Nurses refusal to care because of money and so many times a dying man or lady is asked to provide Police Report…

So many times I ask myself, do these people have a lil bit of conscience, children that should be standing tall to fight for Nigeria are lying in graveyard because a Doctor refuse to treat that malaria because of money etc

Launch of the Patient’s Bill of Rights *(PBoR)* is a timely program, which is aimed at protecting lives, Consumer Protection Council partnering with Ministry of Health to fight the above and so much more will go a long way in saving the life of Nigerians which is Nigeria’s biggest asset..

It is a timely one and Nigerians especially those in the grassroots will benefit greatly

Kudos to *Barr Babatunde Irukera* for this brilliant initiative, Nigerians are proud of this achievement

*The Patient’s Bill of Rights* are:
*Patient’s Bill of Rights(PBoR)*
1. Right to Relevant information in a language and manner the patient understands, including diagnosis, treatment, other procedures and possible outcomes.
2. Right of timely access to detailed and accurate medical records and available services.
3. Right to transparent bilingual and full disclosure of any cost including recommended treatment plans.
4. Right to Privacy and confidentiality of medical records.
5. Right to clean, safe and secure healthcare environment.
6. Right to be treated with respect, regardless of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, allegations of crime, disability or economic circumstances.
7. Right to receive urgent, immediate and sufficient intervention and care, in the event of an emergency.
8. Right to reasonable visitation in accordance with prevailing rules and regulations.
9. Right to decline care, subject to prevailing laws and upon full disclosure of the consequences of such a decision.
10. Right to decline or consent to participation in medical research, experimental procedures or clinical trials.
11. Right to quality care in accordance to prevailing standards.
12. Right to complain and express dissatisfaction regarding services received.

*Always remember to #DemandandInsist*
Contact CPC @www.cpc.gov.ng

*Mercy Aiyenigba*
*Ordinary Nigerian*

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.