By SDNonline

In commemorating 2021 International Girl Child Day, CEE-HOPE has launched its female football club called Carol Queens.

The first set of the team was drawn from communities across Lagos State with age range from 13-18years.
The organisation also launched its docu-drama entitled “Rape of Justice.”

According to the Executive Director, Betty Abah, the initiative is a way of inspiring the girls to believe in themselves.

“I believe there will be very big international stars from the team. I enjoin other girls who are strong and have stamina to join us instead of using their energy to beat their younger ones or fight in the neighborhood,” she said.

The team coach, Kudirat Kilani also encouraged the girls not to allow failure to hinder them but see it as a stepping stone in achieving their objective in life.

At the event which had in attendance girls from various schools, different speakers addressed the girls on the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Digital Generation. Our Generation.”

Telling the story of his daughter, who despite not making university entry examinations twice but with determination succeeded and now work in a reputable organisation, Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director, Media Career Development Network urged the girls to be determined and not allow anything to limit them.

He said, “gender is not a barrier. Be determined to achieve your goals. Read the people you want to be like. Be digital savvy and apply caution where necessary. Gender is not a limitation.”

On her part, Mrs. Mbanisi Sophy charged the girls to have role model and the fear of God which will make them to go places.

Abah explained that girls anywhere in the world matter and that they are the most endangered species. Adding, girls deserve care and their needs are not like others.

“Girls are like eggs they can be easily damaged. We work with children in marginalized communities.

No child deserves to be left behind. Everyone should see themselves as stakeholders when it comes to the girl child,” she said.

In bridging the gap for girls in the area of science and technology, she stated that though the stereotype is still there but the perception is changing in career gradually.

Other speakers include Anike-Ade Funke Treasure, Yinka Kenny, Rhoda Olorunfemi, Oluebube James and Amaka Nneji.

By SDNonline

A faith-based media NGO, Journalists For Christ (JFC) International Outreach, in partnership with World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) and the Bread for the World (German Protestant Agency for Diaconia Development), have launched a project aimed at bringing to the limelight for institutional attention, the rights and welfare issues faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.

According to the President of JFC, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, “The project entitled, ‘Advancing the Rights and Welfare of IDPs Through the Media’, will help to consolidate our work in alleviating the pitiable living conditions of IDPs.”

Otufodunrin, former Online Editor and Director, Special Publications at The Nation Newspaper stated further that “The project will run from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022.”

Otufodunrin, in a statement, also said the project would provide information on the trend in reportage of IDPs and training for journalists and writers on enhanced reporting of IDP issues.

“A small team of journalists across the country will be commissioned to write special investigative reports on IDPs issues and engender stakeholders’ engagement; and conduct series of media-driven advocacy to advance the welfare of IDPs.

“Overall, the one-year project is expected to drive positive reportage of IDPs in the media and attract policy change to improve the welfare and rights of IDPs.

“The new project will build up on two earlier projects; Monitoring Media Reportage and Portrayal of IDPs in Africa and Managing Internal Displacements in Nigeria supported by WACC and Otto Per Mille( Weldesian Church), Italy,” he added.

He further stated that, “As a media based organisation, we are among others, committed to advocating for the communication rights of all citizens, including many who are voiceless.

“Across the country, the population of IDPs is growing and there is need for more media focus on their plight.”

“Overall, the one-year project is expected to drive positive reportage of IDPs in the media and attract policy change to improve the welfare and rights of IDPs.

“The new project will build up two earlier projects; Monitoring Media Reportage and Portrayal of IDPs in Africa and Managing Internal Displacements in Nigeria supported by WACC and Otto Per Mille (Weldesian Church), Italy,” he stated.

He also said, “As a media based organisation, we are among others, committed to advocating for the communication rights of all citizens, including many who are voiceless.

“Across the country, the population of IDPs is growing and there is need for more media focus on their plight.”

By Funmi Falobi

Oloruntola Sunday, Professor of Mass Communication, University of Lagos has attributed his achievements in life to hardwork, focus and divine Providence.

Speaking at a forum organised by the Journalists for Christ (JFC) International Outreach, a faith-based organisation for journalists and allied professionals to celebrate his recent Professorial promotion, Sunday said there are always challenges in life but with focus and determination, one will overcome.

Speaking on the topic, “My Newsroom to Classroom Story: Lessons and Opportunities” the University don stressed that challenges will come but with determination, victory is sure.

Recounting how he moved from the newsroom to the classroom, Sunday said he spent 12 years as a reporter and it took him 10 years before his appointment was confirmed at UNILAG.
“God has really been merciful to me”, he declared.

Giving insights on the route in the path to being a professor, he disclosed that it took his determination and doggedness to attain his desired academic height despite many limiting conditions. According to him, he could not do his doctoral degree programme in Unilag because he did not have the required grade. So he went to the University of Agriculture Abeokuta, UNAAB, for his PhD in the field of Agric Communications.
“At every point in life challenges will come but don’t let what you pass through affect you.

“I always tell my students that you can become whatever you want. Don’t let anything bring you down,” he maintained.

While explaining that the association one keeps and one’s vision for life goes a long way in achieving one’s goal, he added that “if you’re in a place and your vision tallies with someone, don’t leave that person.”

“My path has crossed with some people who have been instrumental to my growth. I always pray that my promotion will not be delayed and God bless the work of my hands.

“Be focused, don’t be lazy. Do your little efforts but don’t forget God’s factor,” he said.
He said it took a lot of effort transversing Abeokuta, where he was a doctoral student to Unilag, where he was a lecturer, sometimes, attending lectures in the morning as a doctorate student in Abeokuta, teaching his class as a lecture in Unilag in the afternoon and going back to Abeokuta for a late afternoon lecture.

While advising students to be diligent in their studies, he said “you are lucky, mass communication has been unbundled. It depends on which aspect you want to focus on. If you’re going into academics, be focused. There are lots of potential for you if you know what you’re doing. There are lots of opportunities, there are scholarships if you are focused.”

To practising journalists he said, “do your job. Have a vision and don’t let the immediate needs take you away from the future. Do whatever you’re doing very well for somebody is watching and at appropriate time there will be reward.”

The fellowship members commended the University don for his contribution to the advancement of communication in Nigeria and at the global scene.

While recounting how they started together as colleagues in the newspaper industry, JFC President, Lekan Otufodunrin averred that his doggedness and determination has brought him the feat.

By Funmi Falobi

In order to reduce the rate of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Lagos state, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Humanity Family Foundation on Peace and Development (HUFFPED) has carried out a sensitisation programme for residents and uniform service men in Ikorodu Local Government Area of the state.

The programme organised by HUFFPED in collaboration with Women’s Rights and Health Project (WHRAP) was supported by ActionAid Nigeria and funded by Global Affairs Canada through the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project.

According to the Executive Director, HUFFPED, Kemi Adeyeye , the programme becomes imperative with the increase in report of gender based violence in the society. She noted that there was no intervention looking at Gender Based Violence which affects both male and female but only violence against women.

“In Nigeria, the most common is male against female. Our culture does not allow women to voice out when they face violence,” she said

While declaring that there is need to look at GBV holistically, she stated that beyond the perpetrators, there is also the issue of the drivers of GBV which include social, cultural, physical and psychosocial issues

She said, “In marriage, people use religion, not thinking of emotional impact on women. In the case of inheritance, the male take possession while the woman can’t own a land. We have a lot of unwritten laws which people use to perpetrate gender based violence.”

Similarly, Adenigba Henry, Team Lead, Surveillance Group, Spotlight Initiative, United Nations International Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Ikorodu, affirmed that elimination of violence against women and girl child is a thematic area in United Nations, UN, intervention.

According to him, people are coming out to report cases of GBV and so, the rate is reducing because they know there will be penalty and sanction.

“Before, we expose the survivors and issues of discrimination and stigma became rampant but now, we are exposing the perpetrators and give adequate punishment.

“We want people to know that when they see something, they should say something and do something. They should speak up when they know the perpetrator. People can speak under the condition of anonymity. You can report to the surveillance group, Child Rights Law Implementation Committee, gender desk at police stations. Even within the community, there is a surveillance group,” he said .

The programme was an enlightening one for the participants and they agreed to work together towards fighting the scourge of GBV in the society.

A participant, Mrs. Saka Rashidat, Treasurer, Community Development Council, CDC, Ikorodu Local Government Area explained that though there was no much report on GBV in the area but there have been cases of elderly person’s defiling young girls.

“GBV has never happened in my community. NGOs should do seminars to orientate people especially men that it is not good. Parents should also be orientated on how to take care of their children especially the girl child,” she said.

Another participant, Mr. Abayomi Bamidele, First Chairman, CDC, Ikorodu Central stated that GBV is becoming alarming and that advocacy and general awareness will make a lot of impact in stemming down the trend.

“The government also has role to play. Policing should get closer to the people. We need to have a database of people in the country which will be easier for security personnel to track perpetrators. Our teeming youths should be gainfully employed to reduce GBV. As a community leader, we meet regularly with the exco which include the youth leader. We will discuss this at the meeting and encourage people to do away with crime, especially GBV,” he said.

By SDNonline

Though this year’s World Environment Day, 5 June 2021, is gone and past, some of its importance would remain visible in the ecosystem, especially in relation to preventing, halting, and reversing environmental damages to our ecosystems.  In Lagos, as in other major cities of the world, the Day was commemorated with landmark activities. In commemoration of World Environment Day, Acting U.S. Consul General Brandon Hudspeth on Saturday participated in a tree planting event with students of St. Savior’s School, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

The event was organized by members of the Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI) under the auspices of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association, with the support of a public diplomacy grant of the U.S. Consulate General. As part of the activities to commemorated the Day, Hudspeth, alongside General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) Dr. Dolapo Fasawe and Assistant Director at the Lagos State Ministry of Environment Folasade Adeyoju, joined the students to plant a tree on the grounds of the school.

Hudspeth noted that the tree planting activity underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment.

“We are thrilled that our YALI alumni are partnering with St. Savior’s School for today’s tree planting activity. Children have the potential to be powerful agents of change. By focusing on school-aged children, giving them tools and knowledge to change behaviors, future generations will be better prepared to care for the environment,” Acting Consul General Hudspeth said.

He expressed optimism that the involvement of the students in the tree planting activity will shape their perspective about environmental conservation and restoration of our ecosystem. He also acknowledged the positive impact of work performed by the YALI alumni to build linkages between different communities and government institutions in Nigeria to promote environmental conservation efforts.

“Our main goal is to implement a campaign that will involve community members, local organizations, and government institutions to inspire and educate Nigerians on the importance of a clean environment for human health and a strong economy,” Hudspeth added.

In her remarks, LASEPA General Manager Dr. Dolapo Fasawe lauded the schoolkids and their teachers for their commitment toward protecting the environment. According to her, tree planting plays an essential role in mitigating the impact of climate change. “Planting trees is one of the most important things we can do to contribute to the health of the planet,” Dr. Fasawe noted.

Responding, Head Teacher, St. Savior’s School, Ebute Metta, Mrs. Lawrencia Izedonmwen, expressed the commitment of the school to promote environmental education and responsibility by creating awareness and empowering schoolchildren in its host community.

Following the tree planting activity, YALI alumni members moved to the Sabo-Yaba community of Lagos for a clean-up exercise as part of activities marking World Environment Day.