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 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

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.