Activity Reports – Page 3

WACSOF MEETS THE POLITICAL AFFAIRS GROUP OF THE NIGERIAN PLATFORM

23 November 2022

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The Political Affairs, Elections, Democracy and Good Governance of the West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) Nigeria National Platform has sought the support and partnership of the West African Organization Regional Secretariat in order to improve on the processes and procedures of their activities.

The Team Lead of the Thematic Group Mr. Peter Eboatu made this known during a critical meeting with Staff of WACSOF Regional Secretariat. The meeting held on Tuesday 15th November, 2022 at Area 11, Abuja the headquarter of WACSOF focused primarily on how to enhance cooperation towards a strategic plan for the Nigeria General Election 2023 Observation Project. Mr. Eboatu said that, as Nigeria prepares to hold its general election next year, the Political Affairs Thematic Group is seeking WACSOF participation as one of the accredited observers of the election. WACSOF, being an umbrella covering the civil society organizations in West Africa should be on top of the trend on subjects regarding the civil society in the subregion, particularly the election in Nigeria. He disclosed that Thematic Group has drawn up a strategic work plan as operational guide as well as information document for partners and donors for the election. It is important that both parties joined hands together to strengthen the work plan.

Mr. Emmanuel Ekpo, The Secretary of the Thematic Group who was part of the delegation pointed out efforts made since the inauguration of the Political Affairs Thematic Group about four months ago. The group has held several meetings with some INEC officials and applied for WACSOF to be part of the accredited CSOs to observe the general election. He was hopeful that the application would be approved if the Regional Secretariat gave the needed support.

Responding on behalf of the Secretariat, Mimiwar Ahile, the Program Officer applauded the group for the efforts. She pledged that the Secretariat would communicate with the Executive Committee and the National Coordinator of the WACSOF Nigeria Platform for approval and best approach to support the Political Affairs Thematic Group.

WACSOF MEETS WITH THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP THEMATIC GROUP

21 November 2022

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A delegation of the thematic group on Youth Development and Entrepreneurship led by Chief Aare Segun Oyedijo was at the WACSOF secretariat to discuss about their activities, the role and the support the secretariat can bring to strengthen their program on the youth engagement towards violent free elections. Briefing the Secretariat on their achievements since their Inauguration, the team Lead, Chief Aare Segun Oyedijo noted that the Youth Development and Entrepreneurship Thematic Group has been able to engage the National Assembly on some necessary adjustments the Legislative House can make on the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) law. The Thematic Group also met with the Director General of the NYSC to review the SAED program framework in order to enhance its implementation and monitoring. They have reached an agreement with a consortium of some youth related CSOs in Nigeria in order to form a synergy and work together for the implementation and monitoring of programs in the Ministry of Sport and Youth Development and Ministry of Education.

Chief Oyedijo recalled that violence especially involving youth has become a trademark of most elections at all levels in Nigeria. As the use of the youths to unleash violence during the campaigns and elections proper stairs at the country’s face, it is now pertinent to sensitize and educate the youth at all levels of the community and through all available media to shun violence and avoid being negatively used as most politicians who might engage them have safely kept their children in foreign countries. Chief Oyedijo solicited the collaboration of the Secretariat to work out a strategic plan and proposal for a program on the education and sensitization of the Nigerian Youth towards against violence and thuggery.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Thematic Group, Barrister Michael Awo Ejeh stated that WACSOF being the umbrella covering all the civil society organizations in West Africa should have a say in the sensitization, education and engagement of the Nigerian Youth for a violence free 2023 election in Nigeria.

Responding on behalf of the Secretariat, Mimiwar Ahile, the Program Officer commended the Youth Development and Entrepreneurship Thematic Group for the work done so far. She promised that the regional Secretariat will give all the necessary and available support the Thematic Group may need in order to carry out successfully the program if approved by the WACSOF Executive Committee. She advised the group to send the concept note of the program in order to develop a viable proposal if given the mandate by the decision-making body of the West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF).

Chief Aare Segun Oyedijo of Better Days Global Foundation, the Team Lead of Youth Development Thematic Group was accompanied by Barrister Michael Awo Ejeh of Ogedege Community Development Foundation, Sade Abioye (Mrs.) of Genius Skills and Faith Ayegba (Mrs.) of Cal-Maj Foundation. Others at the meeting were Mimiwar Ahile and Saahadat Djody, WACSOF Program officer and Advocacy Officer respectively. Other staff of WACSOF at the meeting were Florence Olatunbosun and John Okoreni.

WACSOF marks 2022 WORLD ORPHANS DAY CELEBRATION organised by the COALITION OF ORPHANAGES AND CHILDREN HOMES IN NIGERIA (COCHIN)

14 November 2022

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The Coalition of Orphanages and Children Homes in Nigeria on this day celebrated the World Orphans Day where orphans and orphanage homes across the country attended to emphasize and deliberate the interest of orphans and the challenges in the operation of orphanage homes. The event which was anchored upon the theme: “A better world for orphans makes the stray safe” pointed the need for deliberate intervention of private and public stakeholders in the affairs of orphans and orphanage homes as it was only both civil and human.

The World Orphans Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on the 14th November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among this vulnerable children worldwide, and improving orphan’s welfare. It is a day the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

While addressing the participants, the President of COCHIN called for the inclusion of every orphaned children, noting that “Orphans have become Nigerian forgotten Children with Government and Stakeholders showing no interest either in their future, wellbeing or welfare. Orphans can be said to be forgotten Nigerians, who if not supported will stray away and become a burden to the society at large”.

President of COCHIN, Senator Dr. Eze Ajoku, OFR addressing participants at the World Orphans Day, 2022

Stressing the reason that informed the formation of COCHIN, he further stated that “We the Orphanage Owners recognise our roles as Nigerians who believe that we are partnering with Government to ensure the wellbeing and welfare of these children and to ensure that these children have a good future. Unfortunately, our Government does not care about these children or do they recognise that the orphanage owners are their partners in progress. In the words of a former director of welfare, who said “Government did not ask you owners to start orphanages you choosed to do so”, by implication this means Government is not concerned about these Children neither do they make provisions for them. For us, Running Orphanages is not a commercial and profit making business; its of no commercial value and economic content, but a huge sacrifice and calling. Our social response and charity enterprise designed to help empower the less privilege, stranded and neglected children who are seen as Articles of Mercy”.

In attendance also were NGOs, distinguished guests representing several government functionaries and private individuals who pledged their commitment to seeing the promotion of the welfare of orphans and according sufficient support to orphange homes.

The event was serenaded with beautiful performances from children of several orphanage homes in attendance, thrilling and educating the audience.

WACSOF carries out sensitization programmes in schools to celebrate ECOWAS at 47.

2 November 2022

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As ECOWAS marked its 47 year anniversary, WACSOF Nigeria celebrates with ECOWAS by visiting schools in the nations capital. While visiting schools, representatives from WACSOF emphasized to the students on the creation of ECOWAS, the role and functions of the ECOWAS in the West Africa sub-region.

The team also enlightened the students on the role and functions of WACSOF in West Africa and its place under ECOWAS.