Students are strategic to SDGs implementation.... Prof. Shehu - VC, KUST.

By Seyifunmi Adebote and Umar Farouk Ahmad, Kano State.


The Vice-Chancellor, Kano State University of Science and Technology, Professor Shehu Musa has underscored the importance of having young people as the drivers of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Addressing not less than 65 students during the SDGs4Universities Workshop hosted by the Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil on Thursday, August 22nd, 2019, Professor Shehu said, “You (students) have the strategic position to make a contribution.

You don’t need to have a million naira or be a politician before you start making a difference.

In one way or the other, you all are connected to at least one of these 17 goals and you must know that the realization of this is largely dependent on you.

Reiterating the University’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Professor Shehu expressed his delight to the facilitating organization, International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI) for considering Kano State University of Science and Technology and for training the students of the institution on how they can begin to practically take actions towards driving the SDGs in their local communities.

“We are fully receptive to collaborate with stakeholders to see the realization of the SDGs. I hope that students of this institution will put to practice the lessons from this SDGs4Universities workshop,” Shehu said.

The SDGs4Universities workshop is a project by the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI).

ICCDI has been taking the knowledge of the SDGs to various tertiary institutions across the country.

According to the Project Coordinator, Seyifunmi Adebote, “this workshop is part of our continued efforts to localize the knowledge and application of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals among university students, as well as, to position them to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.”

The workshop came to an end with the establishment of the KUST SDGs club in the university.

Though the 6th SDGs4Universities workshop, the Kano State University of Science and Technology is the first in the North-West region of Nigeria.

The facilitators included Umar Farouk and Mufid Muhammad from Green Again Initiative, and Salihu Hamisu and Juwairiyya El-Yakub, alumni of the University.

The workshop was attended by not less than 65 students from different faculties, along with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shehu Musa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic, Professor Aminu Umar Fagge; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Administration, Professor Tijjani Saleh Bichi; the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor A. S. Ma’aji and the Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Daraja among others.

udents are strategic to SDGs implementation.... Prof. Shehu - VC, KUST.

By Seyifunmi Adebote and Umar Farouk Ahmad, Kano State.


The Vice-Chancellor, Kano State University of Science and Technology, Professor Shehu Musa has underscored the importance of having young people as the drivers of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Addressing not less than 65 students during the SDGs4Universities Workshop hosted by the Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil on Thursday, August 22nd, 2019, Professor Shehu said, “You (students) have the strategic position to make a contribution.

You don’t need to have a million naira or be a politician before you start making a difference.

In one way or the other, you all are connected to at least one of these 17 goals and you must know that the realization of this is largely dependent on you.

Reiterating the University’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Professor Shehu expressed his delight to the facilitating organization, International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI) for considering Kano State University of Science and Technology and for training the students of the institution on how they can begin to practically take actions towards driving the SDGs in their local communities.

“We are fully receptive to collaborate with stakeholders to see the realization of the SDGs. I hope that students of this institution will put to practice the lessons from this SDGs4Universities workshop,” Shehu said.

The SDGs4Universities workshop is a project by the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI).

ICCDI has been taking the knowledge of the SDGs to various tertiary institutions across the country.

According to the Project Coordinator, Seyifunmi Adebote, “this workshop is part of our continued efforts to localize the knowledge and application of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals among university students, as well as, to position them to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.”

The workshop came to an end with the establishment of the KUST SDGs club in the university.

Though the 6th SDGs4Universities workshop, the Kano State University of Science and Technology is the first in the North-West region of Nigeria.

The facilitators included Umar Farouk and Mufid Muhammad from Green Again Initiative, and Salihu Hamisu and Juwairiyya El-Yakub, alumni of the University.

The workshop was attended by not less than 65 students from different faculties, along with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shehu Musa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic, Professor Aminu Umar Fagge; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Administration, Professor Tijjani Saleh Bichi; the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor A. S. Ma’aji and the Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Daraja among others.

Communiqué at the End of Two Days Zonal Youth Climate Incubation Hub

Communiqué at the End of Two Days Zonal Youth Climate Incubation Hub held at Port Harcourt, Rivers State

* Preamble

The Federal Ministry of Environment in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on August 15th -16th hosted a regional Youth Climate Incubation Hub for South-South zone, the first of six zones at the Visa Karina Hotel in Port Harcourt, this is to further strengthen Nigeria’s position as a member country of the United Nations’ Youth Engagement and Public Mobilization track at the Climate Action Summit in September 2019.

The event was facilitated by Health of the Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an environmental think-tank organization and had a total number of 70 participants draw from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers State.

In his remark, Nnimmo Bassey, an Environmental Justice Advocate and Director of HOMEF underscored the importance of the Youth Roundtable on Climate Action, which is to unlock youth innovativeness in Nigeria’s climate action. He further emphasized that young people have the brightest ideas for solving problems of climate change in Nigeria.

While welcoming the participants to the event, the Federal Ministry of Environment through its Department of Climate Change charged the participants on the imperativeness of this event, as climate and climate change have become an issue of global concern particularly in Third World countries like Nigeria.

Sa’adatu Gambo, a Senior Scientific Officer at the Department of Climate Change, who represented the Federal Ministry of Environment also mentioned that the Department of Climate Change is the country’s focal point for the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and are always eager and ready to welcome creative ideas from young people on how to solve problems of climate change which has become a serious global threat to humanity.

* Expectations

It is expected that at the end of the two days event, there will be an acceleration of key improvement on climate change.

Creative ideas that are specific, measurable, achievable, bankable, realistic and time bound which will be harnessed and built from concept stage to actual implementation.

* Observation

Following the foregoing expectations, it was observed that:
 - Issues of  climate change calls for emergency in Nigeria therefore proactive measures must be put in place by the Nigerian government to tackle it;

-The non-implementation of extant environmental laws and policies continue to serve as a major setback in the fight for a safe climate in Nigeria;

-The need to create more awareness among the Nigeria citizenry;

-Financial investment and transfer of technology to build human capacity and groom basic ideas that will mitigate climate crises in Nigeria.

* Recommendations

After series of brain storming and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) among all participants, the following innovative ideas were strongly recommended by the various South-South States that attended the Regional Youth Climate Incubation Hub in Port Harcourt.

- Climate Change Desk Officers at both Federal and State ministries in Nigeria should ensure that participants of this Youth Climate Hub are  further engaged on climate change issues;

- Biogas: generating biogas from household biodegradable waste and biodigester

- Recycling: Effort should be made on recycling as regards plastic bottle collection and reuse and also waste segregation and separation

- Education and Environmental Literacy: Establish environmental clubs and advocacy for target groups and also creating certain social documentaries in local dialects
on climate change;

-Technology: Apps should be available to map vulnerable and non-vulnerable areas to climate change  impact and solar panels should be more affordable for the people;

-Mangrove reclamation and tree planting especially indigenous and economic crops;

-There is need for government at all levels to stop paying lip service and amplify action on climate change policy  implementations;

- There should be a massive advocacy campaigns on the impact of climate change;

- The inclusion of climate change education in our curriculum at the various levels of learning in Nigeria;

- Youths voices should be further amplified and their creative ideas on climate change harnessed.

- The need to strengthen existing structure to integrate women and marginalized groups participation in all levels in climate action in Nigeria.

Skill Acquisition: NGO Kick Off With Orientation Exercise For Participants

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

A Non Government Organisation, has kicked off her youth focused skill acquisition training program with an orientation exercise for participants.

Asaba Home Diaspora Development Initiative (AHDDI) today, Saturday, commenced her six months skill acquisition training program for proactive youths resident within the state capital territory.

Ms Daphne Arafiena, AHDDI's President, while addressing participants stated the training program will last for three to four months for some skills sets.

She said the training program's lifespan will last between 20th July through 20th December, 2019.

The first week is dedicated to paint production, sales and marketing technique, while two weeks later is reserved for classroom training on introduction to concepts, materials and tools around participants core areas of training, she explained.

AHDDI's president informed participants that their apprentiship work would start after the first three weeks at their trainer's workshop, together with field works.

She also urge them to be mindful of weather warnings to minimize field accidents, wear appropriate protective and safety clothings provided for them by AHDDI.

AHDDI expects trainees to put in between 5-8 hours daily during their training period.

Ms Arafiena reminded participants about the importance of discipline, punctuality, cleanliness and respect throughout period of the training.

She challenged the participants to see themselves as AHDDI's Ambassadors and urged them to eschew fighting in public, avoid the temptations of drunkenness, chewing of gum during training sessions and loitering during training hours.

AHDDI has zero tolerance policy for rudeness towards her trainers and AHDDI's team, Ms Arafiena warned.

One of the high point of the six months long training program will be a new concept AHDDI's president unveiled as "AHDDI Give Back To Community Days"

Ms Arafiena noted that while participants are learning new skill sets and are being prepared to become independent entreprenuers, AHDDI wants them to develop a heart and spirit of remebering the less priviledge ones in the society.

AHDDI has set aside Saturday 27th July, Friday 6th September and Friday 11th October, 2019 as      "AHDDI Give Back To Community Days"

AHDDI has also made provisions for participants to enjoy free transportation services to and fro training centers, fix a team rep as well as health and safety reps who will liase skill set trainers and AHDDI team leads.

The NGO had procured basic and essential work tools for training, but trainees will have to sign for tools collected.

Arafiena pointed out that AHDDI does not provide any settlement empowerment scheme, but at its discretion and with the recommendation of the trainers will select some best behaved trainees who will receive gifts to enable them start off on their own.

Finally, Arafiena reminded participants that AHDDI's skills training is an opportunity and not a right, she urged them to take the opportunity seriously.

AHDDI has designed a 4 months training for participants in acting/screenplay writing; cane furniture making; solar PV installation; computer and phone repairs.

Some participants will gain three months trainings in computer graphic designs; baking/decoration and online journalism courses.

Participants will take part in a one week paint production course as well as participate in a two weeks entreprenurual skills on communication/inter-personal skills; financial management; sales and marketing.

NGO Set To Roll Out Skills Acquisition Program

Okonta Emeka Okonta, Asaba

Committed towards bridging the skills acquisition gap in Delta State, has rolled out plans to commence a training program for Deltans.

Asaba Home Diaspora Development Initiative (AHDDI) recently unveiled plans to implement a skills acquisition training in Asaba.

Rev Dr Nwanze Osita, AHDDI's  director, pointed out that this year's training session will commence by 20th July.

We are going to train our participants in different skill sets and the training will last for four months.

Participants will be trained in Acting/Script writing, cane furniture, graphic designs, Solar PV Installation, paint manufacturing, electric generator and plant repairs, computer and phone repairs as well as photography and videography.

There are other extra entrepreneural skills trainings our participants will be exposed to, which, include: communication and interpersonal skills; sales and marketing; basic booking; financial management; customer service and telephoning services, Rev Dr Nwanze told our reporter.

Over the recently past weekend, AHDDI, organized an interview, assessment and registration exercise for the prospective trainees.

During the exercise, the participants had opportunities to engage with some AHDDI's facilitators, skills acquisition  resource persons and past training graduants, now AHDDI's Ambassadors.

One of the resource persons, Mrs Uche Florence Okpara, encouraged the participant to get ready to take quality advantage of AHDDI's empowerment scheme.

She urged and charged them on the need to carve out wholesome entreprenurial career out of the training opportunity before them.

On his own part, John Chuka of the Asaba Film Academy, appreciated AHDDI over the opportunity his academy has to train and mentor participants in Film making, acting and script writing.

He also pointed out that there are  lots of opportunities for in the movie industry and advised them to be ready to cease those opportunities.

Mrs Anthonia Isioma Damasus, earlier in her remarks, shared that AHDDI is ready to do more for committed and willing youths in Delta State, who are ready to acquire skills.

With our skill acquisition training programs, we want them to become self reliant, become useful to themselves, support their family members and contribute meaningfully to the society.

One of the highlights of the one day assessment and registration exercise, was the break away sessions the participants had with their different skills acquisition facilitators and rounds of testimony sharing sessions from past training graduants.

Konwea Charles and Sandra Dupe Konwea, couple, who jointly were trained last year as Solar PV Installers, shared their experiences, challenges and gains during their last year's training sessions.

The couple, now managers of Sancha Energy Solutions, encouraged the new participants to put in all their best, assuring them that they will be happy that they participated in the training program.

We appreciate AHDDI for their investment in us, today, we are living more happier lives as Solar PV installers, our business is equally doing well, the couple said.

Agbo Chukwuma, a laptop and phone repairs graduant of AHDDI's empowerment program, shared how better fullfilled as a young entreprenuer his career is now.

He also challenged the new participants to get ready to walk through the programs tough training program but assured them that at the end of the training, they will be very happy to had participated in the exercise.

For Uche Osaji Esther, a trained female photography and videography skills set, thanks and gratitude to AHDDI was her major response to the organizers of the empowerment program.

She also thanked AHDDI for all the transportation, feeding and other welfare assistance all the participants received during their training program.

Her charge to the new participants was that of committment, dedication, readiness to learn, ask questions, limit distracting friends and do all withing their powers at mastering the skills they came to learn.

REPLICATING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) OBODO UGWA OGUMW, EMU-EBENDO & OTHER COMMUNITIES SIGNED WITH ENERGIA IN ALL OIL AND GAS PRODUCING COMMUNITIES IN NDOKWA LAND.

REPLICATING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) OBODO UGWA OGUMW, EMU-EBENDO & OTHER COMMUNITIES SIGNED WITH ENERGIA IN ALL OIL AND GAS PRODUCING COMMUNITIES IN NDOKWA LAND.

It is a well known fact that these above named communities have become a reference point among all the oil and gas producing communities in Ndokwa nation.

The question is: How did they get it right? Many people point to the MOU signed  with Energia as the distinguishing factor between these communities and other oil and gas producing communities in Ndokwa land.

This leads to the question of the type of MOU these communities signed with Energia. I will not go into much details about the MOU but I have chosen just one critical part of the MOU to share with our people with the hope of replicating this type of MOU in other oil and gas producing communities in Ndokwa land.

The only aspect of the MOU I want to share is the "FINANCIAL."

Before I go into that, it should be noted that this particular MOU have a duration of four years and was signed on the 3rd of April 2009.

This invariably means that the MOU have expired, but it is still a reference point due to the fact that it was the first MOU that these communities signed with Energia. Been the first MOU signed with Energia it means that subsequent MOU's were built on this first MOU. These communities are still one of the most peaceful oil and gas producing community in the whole of Niger-delta, despite some internal crisis and challenges.

6.0 FINANCIAL

6.1 Energia shall set aside a fixed portion of the revenue accruing from the sales of its oil and gas produced and sold from Obodugwa Ogume-Obodeti marginal field for the purpose of creating and funding of a Trust fund for the sole purpose of implementing Sustainable Development projects for the direct benefit of the Host community and impacted communities within the area(s) of operations of Energia, subject only to the provision of any enabling law.

6.2 This fund shall be administered by a Board of Trustees comprising of reputable members of the society from Energia, other stakeholders and the Delta state Government. This fund shall be called "Energia Communities Development Trust Fund (TRUST FUND).

6.3. EBENDO, one of the host communities, shall be entitled to a sum equal to 1.25% of the revenue accruing to the Energia Community Development Trust Fund.

6.4. 0.5% of this 1.25% due to EBENDO from the TRUST FUND shall be paid quarterly into an Ebendo/Energia operations account to be opened in a reputable bank by Energia, for the activities of the Ebendo Community Development Association (ECDA), within 60 days following the commencement of oil and gas production operations and sales and upon the signing of this MOU.

6.5. All production from testing to daily production of oil and gas activities shall be subject to the financial commitment to the Trust Fund.

6.6. Energia shall through the trust fund, fund duly approved Sustainable Community Development (SCD) projects and programmes contained in this MOU.

6.7. ECDA shall utilize these funds solely for identified and approved projects and activities designed to improve the quality of life and provide sustainable development of Ebendo and shall be accountable to Energia and TRUST FUND.

I hope other oil and gas producing communities in Ndokwa nation will borrow a leaf from the MOU these communities signed with Energia which have seen these communities transformed greatly in terms of infrastructure, despite the fact that there are still more rooms for improvement in these communities.

Compiled By
Ifeanyichukwu Daniel Ogiriki.

Why An NGO Is Concerned About Balancing Human Rights & Business

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

With growing concerns about human rights abuses carried out within confine walls of many business entreprises and reported daily in Nigeria, a Non Government Organization (NGO) is worried and committed at doing something to change the situation.

Recently, the N.G.O, Global Rights, organized a two day intensive training workshop for Nigeria Journalists at Abuja and Lagos, with a view at addressing the gap and challenges citizen & business entities face at balancing human rights and running business entities in Nigeria.

Jummai Pam, Global Rights's Program Officer, unveiled how the gaps and challenges are being addressed globally.

According to her, the United Nations in 2011 endorsed some set of guidelines, called 'united nations guiding principles on business and human rights'.

This United Nations Guiding Principles has 31 principles enacted under three pillars.

Sharing insights into the features of the guiding principles, Pam, pointed out that the guiding principles is a non binding legal instrument.

The implementation of this guiding principles is non-discriminatory operationally speaking.

The guiding principles applies to all states and businesses, regardless of location, sizes, ownership, structure or sector, Jummai Pam noted.

It is the States obligation to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and fundamental freedom, the guiding principles advocates.

In the same vein, business enterprises are required to comply with all applicable laws and to respect human rights.

There is as well need for rights and obligations to be matched to  appropriate and effective remedies when human rights are breached, Pam told journalists.

The N.G.O believed that a sound understanding of the three pillars of the United Nations Guiding Principles On Business & Human Rights, makes a huge difference in balancing running proactive businesses and respecting human rights.

Jummia Pam, noted that the first pillar is couached around the idea that it is the state's duty to protect citizens against rights abuses.

Here, she pointed out, states must protect against cititzens against human rights abuses within their territories by third parties.

This requires taking appropriate steps to prevent, investigate, punish and redress abuses through effective policies, legislation, regulations and adjudication, Pam explained.

Journalists were informed about the second pillar as corporate responsibility to respect human rights, which means businesses should avoid infringing on human rights of others and seek proactive means to address adverse human rights impacts with which they are involved with.

Of the third pillar, Global Rights believes that as part of their duty to protect against business related human rights abuses, states must ensure through judicial, administrative, legislative or other appropriate means that those affected by rights violations have unhindered access to effective remedy.

SOURCE: ASABA POST NEWS WIRE (ONLINE)

The Civil War: How The Catholic Missionaries Stuck With Biafra Even When They Were Advised To Return To Europe

 
This is the second and the most important reason. This is the reason that sealed the love and relationship of the igbos and the catholic church.

When the Civil war broke out More than half of all the catholic missions in Nigeria were situated in Igboland.

They received letters from their European countries asking them to leave the war zone but they refused.

They remained with the igbos and followed them deep into Igboland when the federal forces encircled igbo land.
 

They provided news of the immense suffering wrought by the civil war to outside media, and helped garner support for the Biafrans from the international Christian community.
 

They were hated by Nigerian forces and started coming under attack. Many of them lost their lives in the war.

They treated the sick, provided aid from the international community .

All those photos of starving children you see were taken by most of them which they sneaked outside the world so the world can know what is happening.
 
 In 1968 a Vatican mission visited Biafra, and Pope Paul VI (who had been the first European cardinal to visit Nigeria in 1962) personally spoke out on behalf of the Biafran Igbo.

Missionaries who supported the Biafran Igbo were expelled following the war—roughly 500 total—and no foreign priests were permitted to work in Nigeria until the mid-1970s.
 

The names of the catholic missions that stood with the igbos till death were the Irish Holy Ghost Fathers , Holy Rosary Sisters. Caritas and a host of all others.

The catholic church saved millions of lives during the war. Its vast global reach helped provide aid to the famished igbos during the war.

After the war the Catholic church also helped in rebuilding and shaping our schools and hospitals.
 
  The Nigerian forces were annoyed with the role the catholic church played during the war. They took over all the mission schools in a bid to weaken the catholic influence in Igboland.

Our schools suffered decay and neglect under Nigerian help. Thank God they have been returned to the Church.

The catholic church will forever reign in Igboland because of this two reasons. The catholic church shaped our socio cultural society and civilized us , then they fought and died with us during the horrible days of the war.

We igbos will forever be grateful to the mother church.   (Merit Intel)