> By ‘SANMI FALOBI <

As part of efforts in creating sustainable livelihood, which is a key pillar of goals to be achieved under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically goal No.1 which aims to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere”, one of Nigeria’s foremost independent vocational, technical and entrepreneurship training institute, the Foundation for Skills Development (FSD) through its Field of Skills and Dreams vocational training centre has partnered with Nagode Industries Limited, to build the capacity of select Nigerians with skills to become self reliant and income generators.

Unveiling the partnership at an induction ceremony for twenty trainees sponsored by Nagode Group at the FSD training centre at Acme Crescent, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos, Executive Director/Founder of FSD, Mrs. Omowale Ogunrinde noted that the impact of the FSD/NAGODE partnership is not just the sponsorship of the trainees for a six-week entrepreneurial and skills empowerment programme but the fact that 20 unemployed citizens have been taken off the streets, which overtime translates to employment of at least 100 more Nigerians when the trainees establish their businesses after acquiring the requisite vocational skills capacity.

“Beyond the numbers, the impact of this partnership is that these trainees shall be getting exceptional training. This six weeks training, partnering with Nagode is to remove twenty people from the streets and train them in hair dressing, fashion designing, catering/cake baking and electrical installation for them to be able to get a job or set up businesses of their own”, she said.

The Nagode Group, whose mission is driven by ‘values that enables their customers to succeed and be a catalyst for empowerment and entrepreneurship’, was recently recognized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as one the 16 fastest global growth companies in Africa.  Founded in 1960 but incorporated as an organization in Nigeria in 1988, Nagode Group, as a leading B2B chemical and allied services organization involved in manufacturing, distribution and logistics services has over the years demonstrated commitment and contribution to the growth of the Nigerian Economy.

Giving a goodwill remark at the induction ceremony, Mr. Sandeep Kapoor, Nagode’s Group Chief Operating Officer (GCOO), charged the trainees to see the training as an opportunity to make a living and livelihood for themselves.

“The government and private sector employment have failed the country, so you have to take your lives in your own hands and do what you want to do. The small business industry is now the major employers and you now have an opportunity to learn and earn something for yourself, so don’t let it end here, but take it further”, he said.

Giving insight into why Nagode Industries is partnering FSD on the skills acquisition training, Kapoor said it was a core of the organization’s social obligation to impact society. According to him, the sponsorship of the trainees is the first step of the partnership arrangement with FSD as the organization hopes to have more trainees in batches.

“The contribution for this training is from Nagode Industries through a foundation that was set up with certain amount of profit from the group to do things like this, as well as through health care services. We see a great potential in terms of getting people self sustained and we hope to reach more people as we expand our work. The people being trained today also are able to expand their families’ well being”, he added.

Throwing more light on the guiding values of the Field of Skills and Dreams vocational training centre, Ogunrinde said FSD’s core mandate is to empower people with skills to be self reliant and self sustainable.

“What we have been doing since first of May 2003 when the idea of FSD was birthed is what we are still doing today – empowering people with skills to be able to set up their own business and get jobs in the industry. We are focused on professional skills acquisition. This is not a place you come just to get a rough idea, but a place you come to learn a vocational skill after which you are able to start a business of your own. Our success stories are verifiable, they are real and amazing and to God be the glory, we have been able to have partners that has sent us to take our vocational training to Calabar, Ibadan and Enugu to do the same thing we are doing here – ensuring that the skill is professional enough to bring a change in status and income for people that we have trained”, she explained.

“For this programme, Nagode is sponsoring twenty people and we have other partners sponsoring people like that for different vocational skills training. The most important thing is not about how many people are being sponsored but the fact that for each person that is trained, a soul is taken off the street and being equipped with skills to contribute to society”, she added.

With the sort of commitment to professional entrepreneurial and vocational skills training demonstrated by FSD over the years, it is not in doubt that within the framework of achieving the SDG key target to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere” and its associated targets aims, among which are to eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere and reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty; the kind of partnership initiated between Nagode industry and FSD, when replicated by other corporate organizations, institutions, government bureau, corporate businesses and individuals would certainly go a long way in the drive in meeting set targets of the SDGs, particularly SDG target goal no 1 which aims to, “end poverty in all its forms everywhere”.

By Funmi Falobi.  

In order to strengthen the fight against corruption in Nigeria, the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria in collaboration with BudgIT, a non-governmental organization has launched ‘Report Yourself’, a web-based platform that leverages citizen engagement to fight corruption in the country.

The project which is on http://www.reportyourself.org/ is the initiative of religious leaders in the nation as their own contribution towards curbing corruption among the citizens. The platform was developed with the support and guidance of the Religious Leaders Anti-Corruption Committee (RLAC), the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), The Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC), with the support of the U.S. Consulate in Lagos State through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. The web platform was developed by BudgIT.

During the official launch ceremony in Lagos, U.S. Chargé d’ Affaires, David Young explained that ‘Report Yourself’ puts the power to report corruption in the hands of the Nigerian people.

“I hope that Report Yourself starts a new movement in citizen engagement and I hope every Nigerian who is affected by corruption will feel empowered to share their experiences.  The tide will turn against the culture of corruption when Nigerians recognise that they must fight as one to stamp out this scourge that has hampered development and stifled prosperity,” he said.

David Young urged Nigerians to demonstrate their commitment to the fight against corruption by making use of the innovative online platform which seeks to address the daily instances of corruption faced by millions of Nigerians.

‘Report Yourself’ offers Nigerians the means to instantaneously report corruption, bribery, and graft with the option of filing an official complaint with the Nigerian Police Force Public Complaints Rapid Response Unit.

“Through the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, we are working to increase the capacity of Nigerian law enforcement agencies and the justice sector,” remarked Chargé Young.

Accordingly, Bishop Emmah Isong, National Publicity Secretary, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) said Nigerians who have encountered incidence of corruption should speak out and report it on the platform. “Corruption thrives in silence. The inclusion of religious leaders in the fight against corruption in Nigeria is important because we control the population. After citizens have finished work from Monday to Friday, 99 percent find themselves in churches, mosques. Adding to voice of corruption is very important. What the government fight on hours of the day, religious leaders fight on the pulpit. And the truth is that many respect their religious leaders,” he said.

Imam Shefiu, Chief Imam, the Islamic Platform and Director, Strength in Diversity and Development Center said there is need to fight Satan in Nigeria which is corruption. “Religious leaders are working with other NGOs to report corruption. We must come up and say it. If you can’t say it, report it, if you can’t report it, pray about it. We want to ensure everyone of us has the platform to report corruption. He explained that religious leaders would go round churches and mosques to enlighten people to use the platform. According to him, once a month, religious leaders would preach about corruption in churches and mosques.

Also, Felix Morka, Executive Director, Social and Economic Rights Action Centre, SERAC, said that our tolerance of everyday bribery encourages corruption. According to him, ” we, the people must enlist in the struggle against corruption. We must shun bribery and challenge these practices at churches, mosques, on the streets. People steal millions in the offices. We all must be bothered. This platform makes us massive soldiers to fight corruption”. He said.

Stanley Achonu, Manager, Operations, BudgIT, declared that there is grand corruption in Nigeria. “You heard about billions being looted, it started from petty corruption. If you have had experience in getting drivers license, international passport, marriage registry, or experience with police at checkpoint, you would have experienced corruption at low level and religious leaders can mount pressures on the authority. It is not about religious leaders but collectively we can join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption. Petty corruption kills, it deprives people access to amenities.”.

On his part, Head, Nigeria Police Force, Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (NPF PCRRU), Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Abayomi Shogunle, urged the media to help the public know that there is a complaint unit at the police force, PCRRU where they can complain and get justice. He added that the reports that concern the force on the ‘Report Yourself’ platform should be forwarded to the force.

“The fight against corruption is what everybody should key in. One controversial issue is bail and it’s free. PCRRU is for ordinary Nigerians not people that can engage the services of lawyers”, he noted.

During the event, participants received a guided demonstration of the ‘Report Yourself’ platform. In addition, religious leaders, members of law enforcement, and civil society representatives renewed their commitment to fight against corruption.

David Young said, “the cost of corruption comes down on people, it should not be measured in money but on people. Corruption harms millions of Nigerians. It is not measured in money but daily pains it cause the citizens. In Nigeria and the world, corruption is not only about the millions stolen, but impact it has on the millions of people.”

The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria is to support the economic well being of 50 women caregivers, particularly the vulnerable children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in five local communities in Apapa local government area of Lagos with a N2.9 million micro-grant. The support is under the U.S. Ambassador’s PEPFAR Small Grants Program.

According to a statement from the Public Affairs Section (PAS). U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, 27 local organizations have received funding under the U.S. Ambassador’s PEPFAR Small Grants Program in fiscal year 2017, one of which is Blissful Life for Women and Children.

“Under the U.S. Ambassador’s PEPFAR Small Grants Program, a local non-governmental organization, Blissful Life for Women and Children, will provide training to the beneficiaries of the micro-grants in the areas of business and vocational skills and trade mentorship, and will receive trade articles and supplies. Ten older orphans and vulnerable children whose parents are living with HIV will also benefit from the training”, the statement stated.

At an event held in Lagos and attended by senior local government officials, health, and community leaders, Acting U.S. Consul General Will Steuer said, “The people and government of the United States continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Nigeria and Nigerian families in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.”

“Today’s event highlights the importance of supporting families, especially children who are affected by HIV/AIDS through programs that not only support treatment for the infected, but also to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of families affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as the PEPFAR Small Grants Program seeks to do.”

Beneficiaries of the various training programs are expected to empower themselves and their families by building small businesses that will create more reliable income flows and improve their standard of living.

The U.S.-Nigeria partnership on HIV/AIDS began in 2004 through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). From 2004 to 2016, United States support for HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support programs in Nigeria has totaled more than 4.3 billion U.S. dollars in support of the Nigeria HIV/AIDS response.

> By Funmi Falobi <

History was made as the Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), recently confirmed Mrs. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika as the first female professor, Mass Communication department.

Ogwezzy-Ndisika whose specialization straddles Communication for Development, Public Relations and Advertising was confirmed on Monday, June 5, 2017 making her the first female professor of the department in a record time spanning a 16-year stint as a lecturer in the Mass Communication department of UNILAG.

According to her, “It’s like a dream, I am still in disbelief, but it’s a reality now to be at the peak of one’s profession”. While admitting that it has not been easy, she said, “lots of hard work passed through the grill. At every stage in the university, you must meet a panel of experts. It’s a big relief I won’t meet it again. It’s a big relief and above all, it is the Lord’s doing.”

Commending the people who have been part of her feat, she said, “The university management should be commended. If you do your work, and meet the criteria for promotion, you will be promoted. I appreciate all my teachers. It has been through the grace of God, hardwork and the good people around me”, she said.

Recalling her journey through the years as a lecturer in the Mass Communication department, Ogwezzy-Ndisika who had previously served as Head of Department, alluded her feat to God.   “I was not born when the department was established but now, I’ve made history in the department. You will know that it’s the finger of God”, she said.

Commenting on her feat, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Director, International Press Centre (IPC) noted that her confirmation into the professorial status was ‘very welcome’, describing her as a ‘thorough bred academic and professional’. “She has made enormous intellectual contributions to media professionalism and development,” Arogundade said.

Comments from former students were in unison that she is hardworking, diligent, persistent and intelligent and so “she deserves it”.

Mr.Biodun Elugbaju, a graduate from the department and a journalist with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), said, “She has all it takes, she has the charisma and that’s the basic background for anyone in academia. She’s brilliant.”

“I am happy for her. She has worked to deserve such a position. I am not surprised at all.   I respect Prof. Ogwezzy,” said Dr. Kehinde Oyesomi, a graduate of the department and lecturer at the Covenant University.

On next step now that she is at the peak of her career, she told sdnonline: “my task now is to push other people under me up!”.

Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika holds a B.A. in Linguistics and Communication, University of Port-Harcourt; PGD, M.Sc. in Mass Communication, University of Lagos, M.A. in Gender and Development, University of Sussex, England; and PhD, in Communication Arts, University of Ibadan.

Furthermore, she is a recipient of ELF Petroleum Coy Ltd and British Chevening scholarships; laureate of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA); laureate of the African Association of Political Science, (AAPS)/Harry Frank Guggenheim (HFG); and 1991 best graduating student in Department of Linguistics and Communication, University of Port Harcourt.

In addition, she is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (MNIPR); Associate Registered Practitioner of Advertising (arpa); member, Association of Communication Scholars &Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN); African Council for Communication Education (ACCE); Association of Women in Development (AWID); Association for Promoting Nigerian Languages and Culture (APNILAC); and International Association for Mass Communication Research (IAMCR).

She is also a member of the editorial board of a leading national newspaper; has attended various local and international conferences; and published articles and books locally and internationally. She joined the services of the University of Lagos as Lecturer II in 2001.

>By Funmi Falobi<

It is a fact that Africa is endowed with huge mineral resources and human capacity. However, in the midst of plenty, a great number of the people of the continent wallow in abject poverty, lacking basic amenities and infrastructures to make life comfortable. One of the reasons for this state is due to the fact that most political leaders in the continent are not doing enough in the development and provision of basic infrastructure to ensure that the citizens have quality standard of living.

Nigeria, the acclaimed giant of Africa is also affected by this as poverty rate is on the increase and citizens live below one dollar ($1) a day.  Citizens, especially those in the grass root communities do not have access to basic infrastructural development and social amenities that will make life comfortable for them.

Though there are a number of policies by the political leadership and government agencies to address the poverty conditions of the citizens, implementation of such policies are often not citizens-driven, reaching the very poor, but focused on the urban areas, which invariably is for the benefit of the elite.

While government alone cannot provide all the basic needs, it is expected of those in power to provide basic amenities for the mass of the people, majority of who are in the grassroots communities, facing a number of poverty conditions due to the lack of basic social amenities such as portable water, roads, conducive schools for children, etc, as is befitting to give them a sense of belonging as citizens in their own country.

It was as part of bridging the poverty conditions faced by rural/ grassroot communities and to ensure that grass root communities in Lagos State, the commercial nerve centre and most populous city in Nigeria are given a facelift and benefit from government’s social provisioning, that the International Press Centre (IPC) through a project with support of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) worked with some journalists to interact with local community stakeholder groups in eight communities in the State on how to get government attention to provide basic amenities.

The eight communities, which served as a pilot for the project include: Erejuwa- Makoko and Isale Iwaya in Yaba Local Council Development Area, Otumara in Lagos Mainland Local Government  Area, Obele Oniwala in Surulere Local Government Area, Offin/Lajo/Oreta in Ikorodu Local Government  Area, Boshoa Community Development Association in Shomolu Local Government Area, Itu-Agan Waterside in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area and Iyagbe in Oriade Local Council Development Area.

Outcomes from the project, which involved a number of activities including capacity building for journalists and parley with community members working together to demand provision of social amenities from government agencies, saw the government attending to some poverty conditions in the communities by providing basic amenities like clearing of blocked drainages and road construction, rehabilitation of schools, provision of street lights, etc.

Speaking at the public presentation of Summary of Highlights and Outcomes of the IPC/WACC Solution-driven/Poverty reporting project, Nigeria, the Secretary General, WACC Africa Region, Lekan Otufodunrin commended the efforts of IPC and urged journalists to embark on more community reporting that will impact the lives of the grassroots.

“It’s one thing for grants to be given and it’s another thing for the project to be done or carried out. WACC sees Human Right as everybody’s rights that should be guaranteed and so it supports organizations to carry out various projects across the world”, Otufodunrin said.

Commending the outcomes achieved, he added: “This project is a welcome one. Poverty is real in Africa, in Nigeria, people live under one dollar a day. Beyond this, people should get back to the community and ask questions and hold the government accountable on their development needs”.

Similarly, Francis Abayomi, Executive Director, Peace and Development Project, enjoined journalists to be more community driven in their reports and play desired role to bring it to the fore burner. “When you engage the grassroots, you give them a voice. We can have more of these programmes in order to leverage on this in the country. Other stakeholders can also take it further.”

On his part, Executive Director, Journalists for Democratic Rights, Adewale Adeoye, said one major problem of the media is that most the times, “we report about the elites and the rich in the society, but this publication reflects the echoes from the valleys.”

Adeoye, who reviewed the publication on the summary of outcome of the project noted: “Over the years, the Nigerian media has witnessed its worst decline. … The travails, pains and pangs of the poor, the downtrodden, the marginalized majority are left unattended to. Even when stories of poverty are reported, the media only scratch the surface. Pictures about poverty follow the trend of opportunism instead of raising critical issues of underdevelopment”.

He added that the outcomes of the project as captured in the publication, “redefines the current role of the Nigerian media by making a conscious attempt to draw back the missing sheep. The publication captures the strategic role that the media can play in advancing the cause of   the people at the lowest layer of the ladder.”

Speaking on behalf of the communities, a representative of Boshua community in Shomolu LGA, Adewunmi Moses while commending the initiative said two roads – Apata and Bolaji Omupo in the area  had received government attention. “Apata is being graded while Bolaji Omupo is at the level of completion”, he said.

Tajudeen Bello, representing Obele Oniwala, in Surulere LGA said the over 40 years old Municipal School in Obele Odan which was in a dilapidated condition is now refurbished and fitted with modern fixtures for learning. Adding, “solar street lights have been provided by the Lagos state government to the area. Michael Ogun and Durjaiye roads have also been done. We urge journalists to be visiting communities, which speeds up development”, he noted.

By Funmi Falobi & Tobi Oyetunde<

Nigerian journalists have been commended for roles played in the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria even as the media is urged to do more in the area of enlightening the people.

Speaking at a recent roundtable of the Nigerian Journalists’ Safety Initiative on the theme, “Safeguarding Press Freedom and Safety of Journalists among Rising Conflict”, former Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Monday Ubani said journalists have done so much but they still need to do more to educate the society.

In safeguarding press freedom and safety of journalists in the country, Ubani called on the Federal Government to enact modern and robust laws that will help safeguard journalists. He also urged the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to ensure that there is adequate and strict compliance to journalism ethics by professionals in discharging their duties.

Ubani, who was represented by Barrister Evans Ufeli  at the event, organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos, with the support of Open Society Foundations (OSF), pointed out that the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria does not sufficiently give room for press freedom. He noted that a strong freedom of the press,  ensures informed, active and engaged citizenry, and therefore called on journalists and media groups to work for the enforcement of Chapter 2 of the Constitution for them to be able to perform their function as the fourth realm of the estate.

“Strong freedom of press is essential to ensure the safety of journalist and eradicate impunity. Section 22 and 39 of the 1999 constitutions (as amended) guarantees freedom of expression but in spite of all these constitutional provisions, there is no clear indication of strong and special forms of protection for the press to carry out its constitutional obligations without interference, threat to life or extra-judicial repercussion”, he said.

“Section 45 of the same Nigeria constitution curbs the freedom given by Section 22 and 39. This kind of curtailment is abundantly manifested in Nigeria media environment with draconian legislations and decrees like the Sedition act.” He added.

Lamenting the various attacks on journalists where some have been killed, he reiterated the importance of maintaining true press freedom in the country. “The special protection that strong freedom of the press should provide journalists and media workers should be holistic to include preventive, protective and pre-emptive measures.”

He therefore urged government to make the environment conducive and safe for journalists to discharge their duties of holding the government accountable to the people.

Mr. Tive Denedo, former Campaign Director of Media Rights Agenda and CEO of Sunfair Communications also decried continuous assaults of journalists and beckoned the pen pushers to position themselves to ensure Nigeria attain the state where there will be true press freedom in the country.

“No government official will offer you freedom, you must fight and take it forcefully. Journalists should not keep quite when under threat but must always open up on any threat they face from anybody as they go about discharging their duties”, he said.