Photo (missing a few participants), R - L: Chiamaka Mogo, Chervine Oftadeh, Sandra Ezekwesili, Tomisin Akinade, Ellen Edet
By: Chiamaka Mogo
On October 3, 2020, the Initiative for Inclusive Dialogue in Nigeria (IIDN) hosted a closed, Stakeholders Engagement Meeting with a few representatives from the humanitarian, media and development sectors. The theme of the meeting was — Harnessing inclusive partnerships for Nigeria’s socio-economic resilience. The Meeting was organised with the following objectives:
Participants will learn from one another on organizational strategies being adopted to build Nigeria’s socio-economic resilience, during this pandemic.
Participants will show interest in building long-lasting partnerships for the benefit of the grander society.
The Meeting attendees were: Tomisin Akinade (Program Officer, Centre for Advancement of Development Rights (CEADER)), Ellen Edet (Public Relations Officer, IIDN), Sandra Ezekwesili (Host, Hard Facts), Chiamaka Mogo (Founder, IIDN), Chervine Oftadeh (Associate Expert, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Nigeria) and Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi (Executive Director, Stand to End Rape (S.T.E.R) Initiative).
Chiamaka Mogo moderated the Meeting which lasted for about an hour and fifteen minutes.
Sustainable development, human rights and governance:
Tomisin Akinade shared that CEADER has continued to engage with beneficiaries (who are women) of their work through online sessions. The organization has distributed palliatives to some women experiencing hard times, amidst the pandemic. She also mentioned that the organization hosted an online meeting, specifically targeted at youths and the meeting was aimed at shaping future leaders who can take charge of promoting positive, social attitudes.
Sandra Ezekwesili stressed that talking is a key factor for facilitating societal change. As such, she uses her radio talk show, Hard Facts, as a platform for Nigerians to discuss pressing issues. She added that the show has over 630,000 listeners in Lagos state, Nigeria.
Chiamaka Mogo informed participants that within the past few months, IIDN published a solutions-focused briefing note on the trafficking of Nigerian women and girls. The briefing note also highlighted the compounded affects of the pandemic on victims of trafficking. She mentioned that IIDN interviewed the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria on the upholding of human rights during this pandemic. In addition, she discussed IIDN’s participation during a consultation session by an Office of the Presidency, ahead of its 2020 Voluntary National Review submission (on behalf of Nigeria) to the United Nations.
Chervine Oftadeh highlighted the value of data in creating policies aimed at tackling crime and meeting the sustainable development goals. As well, he highlighted that UNODC Nigeria is facilitating a network composed of Nigerian counsellors who are volunteering their time and skills. These counsellors are providing professional assistance to persons using drugs and their families. Also, it was shared that UNODC Nigeria has provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to people in prisons.
Osai Ojigho shared on Amnesty International Nigeria’s vigilance to ensure that human rights are not further sidelined in these times. She mentioned that palliative programs have not been fairly implemented, prisoners rights to protection against COVID-19 are not respected, health workers have not been well-compensated and that women and people with disabilities are absent from the leadership of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. It was stated that Amnesty International Nigeria has written to the Attorney General of the Federation to support gender-based violence responders who are actively on stand-by.
Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi stated that S.T.E.R Initiative has conducted community engagements against gender-based violence, in this period of the pandemic. She mentioned that the organization has been working hard to see more acceptance of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act. Also, she added that the lockdown somewhat affected the organization’s service delivery. However, in more recent times, activities have kicked off better. S.T.E.R Initiative is now following up on some court cases.
Future partnerships:
At the beginning of the Meeting, Chiamaka Mogo mentioned that an expected outcome of the meeting is that stakeholders will identify and discuss possible partnerships, across mutual interests. During the Question and Answer (Q & A) session, such conversations were ignited. (Osai Ojigho excused herself to head for another meeting and Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi was unable to stay further.)
Tomisin Akinade expressed interest in seeing a collaboration between CEADER and Hard Facts through the Host, Sandra Ezekwesili.
On behalf of IIDN, Chiamaka Mogo expressed interest in continuing the dialogue and also broadening the Meeting’s audience (eg. through a webinar event) in the future. She added that IIDN having funding will be a factor to making that a reality; the Board of IIDN will advise on this. She did voice to the Host of Hard Facts, a desire to have a partnership between IIDN and the former, in the near future.
Chervine Oftadeh shared, on behalf of UNODC Nigeria, a request for partnerships with the stakeholders present. Chiamaka Mogo stated that she accepts the request, on behalf of IIDN.
IIDN has connected all participants and will conduct some follow-ups on the partnership interests that were stated.