UNMGCY & UNICEF Field Consultation For Young People in Humanitarian settings Held @Abuja Nigeria

Global Community Peace Network initiative in partnership with The United Nation Major Group for Children and Youth, on the 26th of April, 2018, held a one day Adolescent and Youth Consultation on the theme-  “Development of the Guidelines for Working With and For Young People In Humanitarian Settings”. This consultation was attended by adolescents and youth representatives from different spheres and organizations across Nigeria. The consultation seeks to gather inputs from adolescents and youth from around the world, to form part of the guidelines as what and how young people think they should be meaningfully engaged in the humanitarian programming and responses.The consultation is in partnership with UNICEF and the Norwegian Refugee Council and its  aimed at ensuring young people have the opportunity to share their opinions on the draft guidelines currently under development.Aim The aim of the consultation was to    Meaningful  engage adolescents and youths in Nigeria and to seek their inputs via meaningful participation so as to  incorporate their views which will be feed into the guidelines to be developed for a meaningful engagement of youth in humanitarian action.  Objectives is to expose youths organizations, government and civil societies to UN MGCY processes to gather perspectives from adolescents and youths in Nigeria as a formal input into the guidelines.Methodology Opening Ceremony,the consultation started with registration of participants at the registration stand and then  introduction of participants and their representing organizations. Next was a Brief welcome note by Queen Ehirim, Regional Focal Point For West and Central Africa humanitarian affairs working group on what the UNMGCY is all about and a brief overview of the what the guidelines for development of guidelines for programming with, and for young people in humanitarian settings including some general principles in achieving this guidelines during the consultations.Mrs Zainab Yusu Director of Corporate Affairs and Programes spoke on the need to partner with with people in achieving any sets goals that will drive the development of the nation forward hence the need for the commission to release the auditorium hall for the consultation and encourage adolescents and youths to always be a voice in matters of both national and international policy decisions.Aboki Kanadi, a resident of Borno –Maiduguri, gave first hand witness of how humanitarian actions are needed in North East because of the current insurgency and emphasized the very critical role adolescents should play not just in formulating the guidelines but also in implementing them making mention that adolescent and youths bare the biggest humanitarian challenges.

Consultation proper, group works and plenaries The actual  consultation started by 10am and ended by 1;45pm with the presentation of the tool kits , and as well the distributionof the summary guidelines and participants were divided into 3 groups-  participants took a critical look into the draft. At the end of the each session, the groups were dissolved and they presented their opinions on issues highlighted in that section of the summary guidelines. The following recommendations were given by the participants: Session 1: Introduction section; after an interactive group session and plenary on section A-D, the participants came up with the following observations and recommendations:Session 2: Participatory Programming- section E; this section was marked as satisfactory by the participants with no comments. Session 3: Responsive Programming- F; this section was also marked as satisfactory by the participants with no comments. Outcomes Field consultation successfully implemented with a number of 15 participants from different organizations.Youth perspectives gathered from Nigeria will add valuable inputs to the guidelines.Challenges  30  youths and adolescents could not make it to the consultation because of lack of mobilization.  Partner organizations e.g NRC, UNICEF did not show up. Lack of finances to support the transportation of participants  Recommendations Availability of resources no matter how small Consultation should be carried out in humanitarian environments and conflict states to gather more and personal experiences from those in dare humanitarian situations which can also serve as needs assessments.Early planning is necessary for effective resource mobilization.

Free medical treatment program across the Ibeju Lekki

There is ongoing free medical treatment program across Ibeju Lekki,the program is well appreciated by the people of Ibeju Lekki as it gives them the opportunity to know their health status
and take the right medication to live a healthy life.

The program was very appreciated by the Elders in the Community and wish for more of such program.

The free medical treatment program across the Ibeju Lekki constituency II powered by ADELEKE OLABANJO for Lagos State House of Assembly lbeju Lekki constituency II 2019

African Clean Up Initiative Live at Ojo Waterside

*ACI Live At Ojo Waterside*

Away from the busy life of Badagry Express, Team ACI took a stroll to Ojo Waterside, a riverline area in Ojo Local Government area of Lagos.

Your community friendly NGO, African Clean Up Initiative (ACI) embarked on this courtesy visit in view of her Beyond Waste Project proposed to hold in one of the riverline villages soon. 

Team ACI learnt that between Badagry and CMS, there are over 1000 villages. These villages are located between the river and the sea. 

And some of the villagers come to Ojo Waterside through canoe or engine boat transportation for commercial purposes.  An appreciable level of commercial activity exist at this jetty. This is mostly because Ojo Waterside overlooks the Ojo Market. Hence, the villages courtesy of the jetty are able to interact with persons living on land, buy and sell their wares.

Team ACI gathered that life is calm in the villages. However that does down play the dire need for community development projects within any of the communities.

Team ACI is yet to decide the first community to benefit from the Beyond Waste Project. Beyond Waste is an ACI program targeted at the health and social issues of people living in low income communities.

As plans unfold, we will keep you posted. As you  certainly must have know, uplifting the living standard of people in low income community is our collective effort. 

We have done it before for some communities like Orisumibare in Apapa, Makoko, Marine Beach, Onne in River State and Mosquito village in Ajegunle. We still can do it again joining hands to put smiles in the lives of people in low income communities.

Ambode's wife distribute 50,000 shoes,sock to Lagos pupils

Wife of the Lagos State Governor and founder, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative, (HOFOWEM), Bolanle Ambode, on Tuesday flagged off the distribution of 50,000 shoes and branded socks to primary one pupils of public schools across the state.

Mrs Ambode flagged off the distribution at the Cherubim and Seraphim Primary School, Lagos Road, Majidun in Ikorodu.

The distribution is the 2018 edition of the Project Bright Steps, a pet project of HOFOWEM to boost the morale of the children and sensitise the society that the welfare of pupils is important in getting the best of them in their academic pursuits.

Health Budget Performance Campain#FundNaijaHealth

HEALTH BUDGET PERFORMANCE CAMPAIGN
#FundNaijaHealth
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT
WHY FUND NAIJA HEALTH
Background
Despite reductions in maternal and newborn mortality across the world, Nigeria still faces the worse form of healthcare challenges especially for mothers and their newborns. Nigeria is faced with multifaceted health challenges ranging from lapses in maternal and newborn healthcare, shortage of skilled health personnel, poorly equipped medical facilities, and unavailability of life-saving commodities needed to save mothers and newborns, inadequate health facilities, etc. These health challenges are particularly pronounced in rural areas and among the poorest and most marginalized. The rate of pregnancy-related injuries, infections, diseases, disabilities and preventable adverse newborn health outcomes are still very high. These challenges are preventable but requires government’s financial commitment in delivering quality healthcare services that work for all and especially for mothers and newborns.

One of the major healthcare delivery challenges we have in the country is that resources are not always made available for Key critical health interventions. Nigeria is yet to meet the Abuja target to allocate 15 per cent of the budget to health. It is also important to note that the little that is budgeted to health are often not released on time, thereby reducing the chances of women and children from, benefitting from what was allocated. This is because approved budget is not often released in record time, and when released it is misappropriated.
About MamaYe- Evidence for Action
MamaYe-Evidence for Action is about saving the lives of Africa’s mothers and babies. We empower local and global voices with the evidence to make pregnancy and childbirth safer. We believe that we can work together as ordinary people in advocating for issues that replaces assumptions with answers, turn apathy into action, and ensure maternal and newborn survival is made a constant political priority and at the forefront of political agenda.

Across Nigeria, health systems are making slow progress in improving maternal and newborn survival despite a strong evidence base that describes the interventions needed to save the lives of mothers and babies. MamaYe-E4A acts as a catalyst for action, using evidence strategically to generate political commitment, strengthen accountability and inform planning and budgeting for quality maternal and newborn health care delivery through advocacy.
 About The Campaign MamaYe- Evidence for Action launched the #FundNaijaHealth Campaign, A Health Budget Performance Campaign in an effort to draw attention of policy and decision makers and the relevant ministries responsible for the implementation of health policies and plans, on issues bothering around timely Release and utilization of appropriated funds for health and provision of oversight function in the monitoring and evaluation of impact of the funds released to improve accountability and transparency in health budgetary process.
The #FundNaijaHealth Campaign intends to create awareness around these issues aforementioned and work closely with stakeholders through collective participatory process to mitigate those bottlenecks. This is in recognition of constitutional responsibility of government to achieving quality healthcare to citizenry in line with the sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Health Coverage which are some of the international treaties Nigerian government has signed and pledged to uphold.
Campaign Message
Government should release all appropriated health allocations on time, as this will enhance access to the healthcare services for citizens, particularly mothers and newborns receive.
The States Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, and States Ministry of Health should regularly publish on-line the health budget process and other budgetary information, to facilitate increased citizen participation in the budgetary process, and in the implementation and impact tracking of released funds
The Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, and the Federal Ministry of Health should regularly publish on-line the health budget process and other budgetary information, to facilitate increased citizen participation in the budgetary process, and in the implementation and impact tracking of released funds
Government should work towards increasing annual budgetary allocation to health to meet the 15 per cent target agreed by the Heads of Governments of African nations.

Join the Campaign
Together with one voice we can achieve the desired change; the campaign is for all Nigerians to actively participate and amplify so that the targeted goal will be achieved. Here are couple of ways you can participate in driving the campaign:
Join health advocacy team in your state to carry stakeholders engagement activities that will amplify the campaign objectives towards finding sustainable solutions to the challenges identified
Use the #hashtag to engage and discuss with relevant stakeholders online on the importance of timely release of appropriated funds for health for the improvement of our healthcare system.
Partner with MamaYe and the States Led Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Newborn Health to achieve accountability and transparency in the health sector
Be the voice that helped in achieving this campaign goal in Nigeria

Essential health services should be available to everyone, regardless of their income. To do this, health needs to be a high political priority and receive timely Funding to make it happen. #FundNaijaHealth  Use graphics 2

Timely approval and release of funds budgeted for health will assist @NphcdaNG  provide effective and efficient #RMNCAH service delivery. @AsoRock, #FundNaijaHealth.
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Inadequate release of budgeted funds contributes to the problem of life-saving commodities being out of stock in HFs, and reduces the survival chances of mothers and children. #FundNaijaHealth.
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When skilled birth attendants, essential life-saving commodities, and timely care are available in functional health facilities, safe delivery is better assured. @AsoRock #FundNaijaHealth by releasing funds on time for the assurance of minimum service package in PHCs @Fmohnigeria @NphcdaNG
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To reduce complications at childbirth stemming from pregnant women patronizing unskilled birth attendant, @Fmohnigeria should improve access to basic/free healthcare services for pregnant women. #FundNaijaHealth.
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.@AsoRock should progressively work towards increasing the National health budget to meet the 15% agreed benchmark. #FundNaijaHealth.
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Unavailability of executive budget proposal for public access makes it difficult for citizens to make meaningful input into health budget defence at the National Assembly. #FundNaijaHealth through open access to budget information
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For accountability and transparency, @Fmohnigeria @NphcdaNG @NhisNg should periodically make available to the public the approved national health budget for easy tracking of programme implementation and impact evaluation. #FundNaijaHealth.
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Our ask is simple, @AsoRock and @NigGovForum  should #FundNaijaHealth and progressively increase the annual health budget until the recommended 15% target is achieved. @MamaYeNigeria
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The need for skilled birth attendants is huge, as the lives of pregnant women and newborns largely depend on the skilled service they require. @Fmohnigeria @NphcdaNG, recruit, train and place midwives and nurses in every PHC. #FundNaijaHealth.
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To reduce preventable causes of death during pregnancy and childbirth, access to life-saving commodities is key. #FundNaijaHealth through timely release of funds for adequate stocking of medical consumables in our PHCs.
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Primary healthcare centres can only function effectively when adequate funds are set aside and released timeously to provide good quality basic health services. #FundNaijaHealth. @NphcdaNG, @AsoRock @MamaYeNigeria

The 2016/17, the health budget performance was low due to late releases of capital expenditure. This 2018, @AsoRock @NigGovForum we want to see improved health budget performance through timely release of funds #FundNaijaHealth. @MamaYeNigeria
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.#SDGs emphasizes the importance of equipping, training & supporting health workers to deliver comprehensive health system solutions. @AsoRock We need to #FundNaijaHealth and INVEST in trained and skilled #midwives to achieve #SDG3
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#FundNaijaHealth: Efficient funding of the health sector is crucial to achieving better health and wellbeing for everyone – @MamaYeNigeria we want mothers to deliver healthy babies with the quality of care they deserve!


Make national health budget information available to the public for transparency, accountability, and participation.


1 out of every 29 Nigerian children die as newborns. These children could survive if adequate life-saving commodities are routinely available in health facilities. #FundNaijaHealth
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Nigeria’s maternal mortality ratio of 576 of every 100,000 livebirths is embarrassing.

Global Humanitarian Network Web TV official lunch its Online web television @the Nigerian Redcross Lagos state branch office

The Global Humanitarian Network Web TV was officially lunched at the Nigerian Redcross Lagos State Branch Office in  Makoko Yaba Lagos Nigeria to celebrate the world redcross week.

This is a great platform for humanitarian stake holders to stream live humanitarian news across the globe,the web TV will give more opportunity for humanitarian reporting and it will also be reporting Humanitarian Preparedness and Response.

It will also be reporting about regions that is facing Humanitarian Crisis.
Later in June there will be recruitment of staff and training and the application will be open.

UNMGCY & UNICEF Field Consultation For Young People in Humanitarian settings Held @The Nigeria Redcross Youth Camp in IKorodu

The United Nation MGCY & UNICEF field consultation for young people in Humanitarian settings on site consultation was held at the Nigerian Redcross Ikorodu Division youth Camp on the 6th of April 2018  at Copeland School Adamo.

The field consultation for young people is one program that is making the case for young people,looking at the challenges young people and adolescent  face in emerging economies and fragile states.

Challenges are not the same for young people as Adolescents and youths have particular needs.

The program was focused more on Adolescents and youth in conflicts affected and fragile environment.
The youth at the consultation were engaged on how not to ignore there potential and to be self-reliant.

The engagement session was divided into 2 groups were the youth engaged theirselfs on how they can be participating in humanitarian activities to be able to streghtened social solidarity,peer surport and reduced social isolation.

The youth at the program call for more of such consultation as it will give the young people the advantage to engage one another and get quick access to information.

The program was facilitated by Mr. Felix Uzor(United Nation MGCY)DRR Advocate and Mr. Sunny Nsiagwa (United Nation MGCY)Regional Focal Point on DRR for western and central Africa.

The program was Supported by the Nigerian Redcross Ikorodu Division.