In its bid to promote gender equality and end gender-based violence in Nigeria, the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development in partnership with the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) has launched a Male Feminist Network (MFN) that will act as partners in ending gender-based violence and other social vices.
The MFN, according to NISD, is poised to challenge harmful norms by training 1,000 males who will be leaders, professionals and grassroots influencers across all the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
The NSID said recognizing the role men can play in promoting gender equality and supporting feminist causes will make them allies in the movement for gender justice.
The NSID, which is a civil society organization, said the strategic awareness campaigns tend to fight for women and not to diminish masculinity or undermining men’s rights but rather to challenge patriarchal norms and work towards a more equitable world for all.
No fewer than 1000 leaders , professionals and influencers would be recruited by a non governmental organization for Male Feminist Campaign in the southwest.
The project is being spearheaded by the African Centre For Leadership, Strategy and Development in Nigeria, through the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD, and supported by the Ford Foundation.
The project is designed to amplify messages of positive masculinity, gender justice, and stronger community advocacy.
Addressing journalists at the launch of the project ,the NSID Programme officer, Mr ThankGod Ochai, said the project, sought to strengthen male allyship, in advancing gender equality and combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
He maintained that the overall goal of the project was to build a nationwide movement where men, across Nigeria, actively challenged gender-based violence, and support women’s rights.
He added that part of the goals, is also to contribute to a transformed gender norms, increased institutional accountability, and a more inclusive, equitable society, where women and girls can thrive.
Ondo State Christian Association of Nigeria under the Chairmanship of Rev. Fr. Anselm Olorunfemi Ologunwa has pledged to support the new Action known as ‘Act Naija!‘ Project being implemented by New Initiative For Social Development (NISD) alongside other partners like Bread for the World and The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) co-funded by the European Union in order to achieve goals of the Project.
This pledge came on the heels of the courtesy visit paid to the Religious body in the State by the team of New Initiative For Social Development with the aim of introducing the Act Naija! Project to the CAN leadership, seeking collaboration with CAN Wings for grassroots sensitization and strengthening partnerships to enhance awareness and access to social protection rights.
According to Fr. Ologunwa, the Act Naija! is a call to service to all and every Nigerian who understood the core value of humanity and dignity of human person regardless of race, colour, sex and background while assuring his and other members of wings’ unalloyed support to the success of the action through spirited effort of community mobilization and grassroots sensitization at its best.
“There is no better time than this, when all and every Nigerian must do the right thing and champion a laudable cause like this. Act Naija! is a clarion call and we must all participate in raising the bar of good standard of living for the poor through public awareness and grassroots sensitization at its best for the people of Ondo state and I can assure that you can count on our support”, he said.
In a similar development, the Osun CAN wings led by Rev. John Adeleke has also thrown its weight behind the Act Naija! Project, stressing that the well-being and good living of people Osun is non-negotiable and Christian Association of Nigeria, Osun Wings would do everything within her power to make sure that success would be recorded in the state on Act Naija! Project.
Dr Kayode Fayemi’s government in Ekiti State, with support of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), USA, has commenced implementation of a 14-year work-plan on sustainable management of forests in the State for commercial purpose.
The Chairman of the Ekiti State Forestry Commission, Mr. Kayode Olaosebikan who made this known in Ado Ekiti, said that the Commission was established in accordance to the State Forests Law of 2016 to develop a more stakeholder-involved and longer-term structure to enable better management of forest resources in the State.
According to him, the Fayemi-led administration considers the environment as central to enhancing livability and securing the economic future for Ekiti citizens.
He said that the forests can be used to combat climate change and biodiversity loss, prevent erosion, protect soil fertility as well as conserve ground water amongst others.
Olaosebikan said that it has become pertinent to regenerate and manage the sector to a sustainable level to safeguard livelihoods and foster related industries while generating new knowledge and investments in new sectors.
Highlighting the goals of the Commission towards achieving the desired results, Olaosebikan said that the first goal was to reclaim the loss of Forest Reserve Estates, Assess forest stock and reverse the loss of forest stocks to a level that restores ecosystem services for more than half of the deforested reserves by 2035.
He added that productive forest stock/cover would be increased by between about 4,000 and 5,000 hectares per year through a combination of afforestation, reforestation and natural regeneration processes.
The Commission Chairman also stated that the State Government is furthermore promoting sustainable forest governance and trade adding that government would significantly reduce pressure on the already degraded forests and allow for investment and restoration.
Elucidating on the issue of the Chimpanzee Conservation Landmark at Ise Ekiti, Olaosebikan recalled that at the beginning of 2021, Governor Fayemi signed a memorandum of collaboration with Southwest/Niger Delta Forest Project to establish a Conservation Area within Ise Forest Reserve, to protect the last remaining stronghold in Ekiti of the unique South-Western Nigerian sub-species of endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees.
He said that the project would also feature a strong livelihood component for communities adjoining the reserve and has already generated jobs for the 20 local people recruited and trained as project conservation rangers.
Olaosebikan also noted that Ekiti State has been a focal State for the World Bank-backed ‘WORLD BANK NEWMAP AFFORESTATION’ since 2020 with the reforestation of 250 hectares as part of a multi-pronged erosion control strategy out of which 160 hectares are mainly for indigenous species in the existing nine Forest Reserves and the rest is farmer-led plantings of fruit and timber species.
Reiterating the commitment of the Fayemi led administration to the rapid development of all sector in the State particularly as it relates to food security, Olaosebikan however solicited the continued cooperation of all stakeholders and the support of well to do individuals and corporate organizations for the task of improving the lot of the people in the State.
New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) have called on all stakeholders especially government on the need to address the economic situation of Ekiti people as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report of May 2020 reveals that Ekiti poverty head count ratio is the highest in south-west despite being the 12th lowest in Nigeria. This is clearly responsible for the massive vote trading recorded during the election. A copy of the press release can be downloaded here. Read the Statement below:
New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) participated in the electoral process of the Ekiti State governorship election which held on Saturday 18th June, 2022. In preparation for the election, NISD collaborated with other Civil Society Organizations and partners within and outside the state to provide voter education, mobilize community members and engage stakeholders to effectively participate in Ekiti State Governorship election towards a more credible electoral process.
NISD attended and participated in the following programs organized by CSO partners to prepare community members towards the election;
Ekiti Women Agenda Review meeting
Stop Violence Against Women in Politics mobilization campaign
Women Situation Room consultative meeting
Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room observers training
Research on Election Security management across all LGAs
Nigeria Women Trust Fund advocacy with female political party candidate etc.
Through these various platforms, NISD was able to train and sensitize community mobilizers to provide voter education to citizens in the various LGAs and Communities. This covered information on how to vote, when to vote, proper conduct during election activities, reasons why citizens should vote etc.
During the election activities, NISD, as a CSO, independently observed the conduct of Ekiti State Governorship Election.
Findings from the field during the election revealed the following;
Timeliness: INEC adhoc staffs were averagely timely and arrived their polling units with the election materials on the due time. This automatically led to an early commencement of the polls at 9:00am on the average.
Accreditation System: It is commonly believed that the process of accreditation in elections in Nigeria is often fraudulent, hence the increase in election malpractice. However, the initiation of the Bi-modal Verification Accreditation System (BIVAS) was able to debunk the high level of fraud in the accreditation of voters. We commend the INEC and its staff for the successful implementation of this new initiative. Although, the otherwise was the case in some locations of the state during the election. There was intense system malfunctioning and inadequacy in the number of BIVAS machine provided at some polling units. This brought about delay and led to voter apathy in some locations.
Inclusion (Gender/PWDs): According to reports findings, it was discovered that elderly persons, pregnant women and People Living with Disabilities were treated with priority while voting. However, PWDs in some locations were not provided with the necessary voting aides for them to cast their votes fairly. This led to manipulations by some party agent and their affiliates on their choice of candidate.
As a result of several advocacy and sensitization on women participation in politics, it was observed that more women came out to vote on Election Day than usual.
Security/Safety: We applaud the level of decorum observed during the just concluded election. It is a very good development, as in the past, election days have always been violent days. We commend the effort of the various security outfits; Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security & Civil Defense Corp for their activeness in ensuring peace and stability during the election process.
Vote Trading: General report from the field reflected massive vote buying by major political parties in the state. It was emphasized that voters flagged their thumb printed ballot papers for party agents to see as confirmation of their vote to validate them for payment. This again is a blow to the face of all, as political parties continue to use the poverty and hunger situation of citizens to their advantage during election activities. We condemn this act and strongly recommend below;
RECOMMENDATION
Government should address the economic situation of Ekiti people as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report of May 2020 reveals that Ekiti poverty head count ratio is the highest in south-west despite being the 12th lowest in Nigeria. This is clearly responsible for the massive vote trading recorded during the election.
We also recommend CSOs critical engagement with political parties across the state to address vote buying attitude and further translate to behavioral change in subsequent election activities.
INEC should be empowered by law to arrest, investigate and prosecute election offenders as well as vote buyers and sellers in subsequent elections.
Police and other security personnel should be up to their responsibilities of observing and arresting all involved in any form of violation of the electoral law especially vote trading.
Civil Society Organizations should serve as bridge between the government and the people to demand accountability and responsiveness to their manifestos and agendas during the course of governance. This will promote good governance and build the trust of the people in the system.
NISD will continue to engage government and the people to ensure a better society for all.
