The New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), in partnership with the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), has launched a fresh advocacy movement aimed at mobilising men and boys to champion women’s rights and eliminate gender-based violence (GBV) in Ekiti State.

The project, themed Male Feminists Network, seeks to build at least 1,000 male allies across Ekiti and other Southwest states as part of a growing regional initiative.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop for young men and influencers on gender advocacy, feminist principles and GBV prevention, frontline civil society advocate, Professor Christopher Oluwadare, said the programme was part of a wider regional intervention engaging artisan leaders, religious figures and community influencers.

He explained that the goal is to develop a network of male feminists equipped and empowered to promote the rights and well-being of women, while actively working to curb violence in their communities.

Oluwadare challenged cultural beliefs used to deny women leadership roles, noting historical instances in Ile-Ife, Oyo and Ado-Ekiti where women served as traditional rulers. He also stressed that both the Bible and Quran affirm the equality of men and women, adding that many discriminatory practices are cultural inventions rather than divine instructions.

According to him, more than 25 participants, including pastors, imams, welders, electricians, mechanics, barbers and other artisan leaders, were engaged at the Ekiti session. He described the feedback as overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing strong commitment to becoming advocates for women’s rights.

He commended the Ekiti State Government for leading efforts against GBV, describing the state as number one in Nigeria in policy and legislative support for gender equality.

“Although men created patriarchy, women sometimes sustain it unknowingly. Through sensitization, mobilization and continuous social education, we aim to reorient both men and women. Women need men in this fight, and men must speak up. Activism has long been led by women, but without men’s full involvement, the impact is limited,” he said.

Oluwadare added that involving men amplifies results, noting that the male feminist movement is currently running across the 36 states and the FCT. He expressed optimism that many cultural and gender-based barriers will begin to disappear over the next two years.

Religious leaders such as Alhaji Abdulrasaq Alli and Primate Olorunleke Abe commended NISD for the initiative, pledging to take the message to their congregations in the fight against GBV.

Also speaking, a representative of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Muyiwa Falaye, said the Assembly is fully aware of the existing gender-based laws in the state and reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to supporting the programme.

A two-day capacity–building programme designed to strengthen the involvement of men and community influencers in gender advocacy and the prevention of gender-based violence has commenced in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The initiative, tagged Male Feminists Network (MFN), is organised by the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) in collaboration with the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development. Participants were drawn from artisan unions—such as barbers, mechanics and electrical technicians—alongside traditional rulers, civil society organisations, religious institutions and the media.

Speaking at the opening session, the State Project Coordinator of MFN, Mr. Olusegun Ojo, said the programme aims to build a generation of men who understand feminism as a commitment to fairness, dignity and shared humanity.

He added that MFN is intentionally nurturing young male advocates capable of amplifying feminist ideals and supporting interventions that safeguard women and girls.

https://www.veracity.com.ng/2025/12/nisd-african-centre-train-ondo-men.html?m

Stakeholders in Osun State have called for the strengthening of social protection systems to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and sustainability of intervention programmes targeted at the vulnerable.

This was the major thrust of discussion at the Osun State Dialogue on Social Protection held on Thursday in Osogbo, organised by the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) under the ACT Naija Project, co-funded by the European Union and Brot für die Welt, in partnership with the Osun State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.

While speaking, Dauda Gbadebo Iyanda, Director of Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, said social protection must be governed by a holistic and inclusive policy framework that caters to all age groups, from childhood to old age.

“Social protection interventions should be guided by a comprehensive policy and backed by law,” he said.

“All Ministries, Departments, and Agencies involved in social protection must work in synergy to achieve the desired results. If properly implemented, these interventions will reduce youth-related crises, empower women, and improve the state’s socio-economic wellbeing.”

Read the details… https://citymirrornews.com/news/2025/15/experts-task-osun-govt-on-transparent-inclusive-social-protection-framework/

Stakeholders in Osun State have resolved to come together, synergize and work towards the actualisation of a strengthened, inclusive and transparent social protection system in the state.

To achieve their renewed aim, they called on the Osun State Government to expand and fortify its social protection programmes to reduce poverty in the state and transform lives.

They made the resolution and call on Tuesday during a one-day Osun State Dialogue on Social Protection organised through the Act Naija Project in Partnership with the Osun State Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development.

The event was themed “Strengthening Collaborative Action for Inclusive, Transparent and Accountable Social Protection In Osun State” was held in Osogbo with relevant stakeholders including civil society organisations, officials of the Ministries of Economy, Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Bureau of Statistics, NGOs, Persons With Disabilities, Nigeria Union of Journalists, National Orientation Agency, National Youth Council of Nigeria, traditional and religious leaders among others.

The three-year Act Naija Project, which is co-funded by the European Union, is being implemented by three organisations, namely Bread for the World, Germany, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD).

Speaking at the event, Olaniyan Boluwatife, the State Programme Officer for Act Naija Project in Osun State, emphasized the need for inclusivity and coordinated framework for the state’s social protection policy to bridge the gap.

Read the details… https://www.thepointng.com/stakeholders-vow-to-collaborate-to-achieve-life-transforming-social-protection-policies-in-osun/

Stakeholders advocating for improved social protection in Nigeria have called on the Osun State Government to expand and strengthen its social protection policy as a key step toward reducing poverty and improving livelihoods in the state.

The call was made on Tuesday during the Osun State Dialogue on Social Protection, organised under the Act Naija Project in partnership with the Osun State Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development.

The dialogue, themed “Strengthening Collaborative Action for Inclusive, Transparent and Accountable Social Protection in Osun State,” brought together representatives of civil society organisations, government ministries, non-governmental organisations, persons with disabilities, the National Orientation Agency, traditional and religious leaders, and the media.

The three-year Act Naija Project, co-funded by the European Union, is being implemented by Bread for the World (Germany), Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD).

Speaking at the event, the Osun State Programme Officer of the Act Naija Project, Olaniyan Boluwatife, stressed the need for a more inclusive and coordinated framework to guide the state’s social protection policy.

https://guardian.ng/news/stakeholders-urge-osun-govt-to-tackle-poverty-with-improved-social-protection-policy

Stakeholders have expressed concern over Ondo State’s social protection policy, following the revelation that 64 per cent of persons with disabilities were unaware of any social protection programme in the state.

However, with a new report indicating that only nine per cent of households benefited from social welfare programmes in the past year, the stakeholders emphasised that 75 per cent had never benefited from one, despite the existence of a Social Protection Law enacted in 2016.

The stakeholders, while calling for a comprehensive review of the state’s social protection policy to ensure transparency, inclusion, and sustainable funding, stated that weak coordination, poor monitoring, and irregular disbursements limit the impact of key programmes.

They spoke during the Ondo State dialogue on social protection, held in Akure under the Act Naija Project, implemented by the New Initiatives for Social Development (NISD), in partnership with the state’s Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.

read the details… https://guardian.ng/news/stakeholders-seek-review-of-ondos-social-protection-policy/