Two Wins for Africa

Meet Emeka: Competition Winner, Changing Agriculture in Nigeria

Nwachinemere Emeka Obewe (left) and Andrew Mukose (right)

By Erick Rabemananoro  co-authors: Dasan Bobo

14/11/2017

Ideas for Action (I4A) is an annual competition centered around financing sustainable development. It was launched in 2015 by the World Bank and the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Students and young professionals from around the world enter their ideas and designs for implementing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which include targets like health and wellbeing, affordable clean energy, and good quality education.

African teams have always performed well at the I4A initiative. In 2015 and 2016, Nigerian proposals won second and first place respectively. But this year was exceptional: from among the 740 proposals from 118 countries, the two top winners were from Africa.

• Team Kitovu (Nigeria) emerged at the top with a proposal for a web or cellphone based, decentralized fertilizer and seedling warehousing system that increases the yields of crops.
• Team Gifted Hands (Uganda) came second with a proposal to reduce breast cancer death rates among women and, at the same time, increase the employability of visually impaired women.

Nwachinemere Emeka Obewe (Team Kitovu) and Andrew Mukose (Team Gifted Hands) represented their teams at the October 2017 Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C. They both had a personal story that inspired them to turn a problem into an opportunity.

Obewe’s idea was born of his own experience in Nigeria’s mandatory National Youth Service, which can involve farming. The amount of a crop lost after a harvest in Nigeria ranges from 40 to 60 percent.

Obewe believes that improving the use of inputs could lift millions of smallholder farmers in Nigeria out of poverty. But, for that to happen, a system needs to be in place that matches the right composition and quantity of fertilizer, seeds, and other inputs to the soil the farmer has on his farm. “It is these problems that inspired me to start Kitovu Technology Company,” Obewe said.

Mukose’s drive and passion came from his mother’s experience. A university lecturer and single mother, she lost her job after being blinded in an accident. The consequences for her family were dire. “99.5%” of disabled Ugandans,” said Mukose, “are unemployed. They are stigmatized, marginalized, and looked at as not productive.”

“It’s not only my mother, but over 1.6 million blind people in Uganda [who] go through the same challenges.” Mukose’s health program involves training blinded women to help screen Ugandan women for signs of breast cancer.

The I4A program is a great opportunity for young Africans to contribute to the debate on international development. Winners are given a major role in the Youth Transforming Africa program as role-models within the #AfricaCan framework.

Stabilizing Vulnerable Communities in Nigeria Is Key for Easing Dependency On Humanitarian Aid

Edward Kallon, resident representative for the United Nations Development Program in Nigeria. (United Nations Development Program)

The Lake Chad basin in Nigeria is on the brink of famine. For seven years, Boko Haram insurgents have descended on communities, driving people from their homes and killing thousands. The level of destruction is breathtaking. But more shocking is the vulnerable position survivors are in now. There are 5.7 million people in northeast Nigeria in urgent need of food, most of them children. This number will continue to rise unless we act.

Gender Interventions in Nigeria Empower Vulnerable Children and Female Caregivers through Education, Economic Strengthening, and Advocacy

By Sarah Mkeryi Amahson

MSH Report

The Head of the Community Development Department led a group of participants during the International Women’s Day rally in Delta State. {Photo credit: Gilbert Ojiakor/MSH.}

In Nigeria, women and girls carry the bulk of the caregiving burden for those infected with HIV and children left vulnerable or orphaned by AIDS. These responsibilities often prevent girls and women from obtaining an education and developing income-generating skills. Compounding these problems are social norms that inhibit girls and women from accessing HIV & AIDS information and services and severely limit their control over their sexuality, thereby leaving them vulnerable to violence and abuse. Other harmful Nigerian customs include depriving girls and women of economic resources and legal rights needed to protect themselves.

UNICEF certifies 825 Nigerian communities free of open defecation

June 27, 2017Agency Report

Open Defecation [Photo Credit: allAfrica]

No fewer than 825 communities in Katsina State have so far been certified as Open Defecation Free (ODF) under the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria II (SHAWN). Aminu Dayyabu, the Executive Director, Katsina State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Katsina. The project was supported by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

BATNF Spends N1bn On Community Development

Magnus Eze, Abuja

— 21st November 2017

 The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) said it has spent N1billion in community development in the last 15 years.

Executive Director, BATNF, Abimbola Okoya, in her opening remarks at the 2017 Dialogue session on smallholder farmers and sustainable agriculture in Nigeria, held in Abuja, on Tuesday, disclosed that the Foundation had, since the maiden dialogue in 2015,  increased support to smallholder farmers by 200 per cent; improving their agricultural practices through capacity building, giving them access to finance through input contribution and linkage to markets.

…Harps On Community Development

Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, an affiliate of TOTAL S.A, says it is committed expressed to work with host communities in Nigeria.

Community empowerment promotes economic growth

Community empowerment promotes economic growth

— Rotarian Sanjeev Tandon

It has been proven that community and regional developments are the easiest way of developing economy of any country. Therefore, public, private sectors, NGO are advised to pull resources together to encourage community empowerment in Nigeria to aid its economic growth.

Ugwuanyi Releases N5m Community Development Fund

Gov Ifeanyi-Ugwuanyi-of-Enugu

Enugu State Government has released the first tranche of N5 million for development projects in each community in the state, the Chairman of the state Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzo, has said. Agubuzo made this known while briefing newsmen at the end of a joint meeting of royal fathers, town union presidents and the State Executive Council in Enugu on Wednesday.

World Bank Satisfied with Nigeria’s Implementation of $215m Community Development Projects

By Adedayo  Akinwale in Abuja

The World Bank has expressed satisfaction over the implementation of $215 million Additional Financing (AF) of the Community and Social Development Projects (CSDP) in Nigeria.

World Bank Lead Specialist, Social Protection and Labour, Abuja, Mr. Foluso Okunmadewa made this known in Abuja at a two-day retreat organised for supervisory ministries and Board of Directors of the Community and Social Development Agencies.

Emir Tasks Volunteer Group On Community Development

Emir Tasks Volunteer Group On Community Development

NAN

September 28, 20171:37

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, on Thursday urged members of the Volunteers of Ilorin Community and Environs (VOICE) to remain in the vanguard of the movement for community development. Sulu-Gambari made the plea when members of the group paid him a courtesy call .

IFAD, FG to Support Community Development Associations in 17 LGs in Sokoto

IFAD, FG to Support Community Development Associations in 17 LGs in Sokoto

By Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto

November 15, 2017

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in collaboration with the federal government has concluded arrangements to support community development associations to boost agricultural businesses in 17 local government areas of Sokoto State.

Swiss Firm Partners Environfocus to Tackle Water- Borne Diseases

By Bertram Nwannekanma

20 November 2017   |   4:14 am

Some school children being taught how to access safe water from LifeStraw community

Despite making substantial progress in developing policies for water supply and sanitation service delivery, Nigeria has faced major challenges in translating these into action.

Ashakacem Signs Community Development Agreement with Communities

Ashakacem Signs Community Development Agreement with Communities

By Gbenga Akinfenwa

18 December 2016   |   2:29 am

Ashakacem

In its bid to develop positive relationship, for the benefit of all stakeholders the management of Ashakacem has signed a community development agreement with its host communities around Maiganga Coal Mine in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

FMBN to Aid Re-Construction of Insurgency-Ravaged Houses

FMBN to Aid Re-Construction of Insurgency-Ravaged Houses

By Clement Nwoji, Abuja

20 November 2017   |   4:25 am

PHOTO: AFP / STRINGER

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has pledged support to the Borno State government in reconstructing and rehabilitating houses ravaged by the Boko Haram attacks.This is even as the State government has expressed its commitment to return to the National Housing Fund Scheme as part of its efforts towards solving the state’s housing problems.

Cross River State Communities Demand Compensation Over Superhighway Project

Cross River State Communities Demand Compensation Over Superhighway Project

Urban Development

By Anietie Akpan, Calabar

20 November 2017   |   4:25 am

Ongoing clearing of the project site for the super highway. PHOTO: Heinrich Böll Stiftung Nigeria

Some communities in Cross River have decried the commencement of work by the state government on the 275 km superhighway project without meeting the 23 stipulated conditions prescribed by the Federal Government.

Frontline Workers Push Guinea Worm Disease to The Brink Of Eradication

Frontline Workers Push Guinea Worm Disease to The Brink Of Eradication

By Elizabeth Dickinson

23 November 2017

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter tries to comfort 6-year-old Ruhama Issah at Savelugu Hospital as a Carter Center technical assistant dresses Issah's extremely painful Guinea worm wound. Photo by: The Carter Center

ABU DHABI — When Northern Nigeria was down to its last remaining cases of Guinea worm disease, Dr. Adamu Keana Sallau and his team had to get creative. As the Carter Center director for integrated health programs in the country’s Imo and Abia States in Nigeria, Sallau knew that stigma and far flung geography would made it difficult to spot infections — and every case had to be found to end the disease.

PART 3 - Dispelling Media and Public Misconceptions about Community Development as a Discipline and Profession.

PART 3 - Dispelling Media and Public Misconceptions about Community Development as a Discipline and Profession.

Examining the Concept of Community Service and The Practice of Community Development.

As part of our effort at dispelling public misconceptions about community development as a discipline and profession, we will be looking at the concept of community service and community development practice. Community service and community development are two concepts that have been incorrectly and interchangeably used by many. Community development has been confused with the term community service and I suggest that this conceptual confusion must not be under-estimated because of its impact on people who may want to pursue a career/ job in the development field.

The Giant of Africa takes bold strides to invest in early years

The Giant of Africa takes bold strides to invest in early years

                                                    By Amaka Momah-Haruna

                                                          Thu, 11/02/2017

A year ago, if you had asked me how best a child could reach its potential, I would have looked through my myopic, public health, physician’s lens, and responded that making sure children (0-5years) are healthy and well-nourished is all it takes.
However, six months into the World Bank’s “Africa Early Years” fellowship and I realize I would have been abysmally wrong.

The World Needs You. Students for Community and International Development (SCID)

                 The World Needs You.

Students for Community and International Development (SCID)

                                                     

The quest to find solutions to the widespread and increasing levels of poverty and the accompanying human suffering and misery in the developing countries and many parts of the world has propelled and elevated the practice of community and international development as a very viable and growing sector.

Dispelling Public Misconceptions about Community Development as a Discipline and Profession. (Part 2)

Community Development and Philanthropy

Public misconceptions and distortions about the profession of community development are indeed prevalent and widespread. These misperceptions tend to dissuade individuals, especially the youths who desire to take up career in the field. Practitioners sometimes encounter misguided or misleading comments about community development from individuals who don’t actually understand what the profession is all about.

The media has not been helpful either. The relevance and role of the media and its impact in community building and development is an important one. The media has the capacity to promote awareness of the activities of practitioners in communities across the nation. But the reverse has been the case. The media have had a more limited role in promoting community development activities, especially in generating awareness and promoting community participation. What you find is that the media frequently report negative happenings in communities without recognizing what is being done by practitioners and the communities themselves to address such challenges.

Focussing on the problems and challenges alone by the media tend to cause greater fear of the issues than the actual reality of the reported problems and this also tend to enhance stereotyping in those communities.

Community development practitioners have traditionally dedicated themselves to work towards a better society and to fill gaps left by government and business sectors by directly or indirectly working with communities. They tirelessly work with local communities to design, plan and execute community projects that improve quality of life, yet these activities most times go unreported by the media.

On their part, the public tend to mix up community development and other disciplines like social work and many people out there think that they are the same thing. Some people are quick to tell you that community development is about taking care of the poor, the aged and vulnerable people in the society while others think it is all about physical development and that community development mostly concern itself with local people coming together to clear bush paths, keep market square clean, sink bore holes, repair dilapidated school buildings or build town halls.

The general opinion in the urban centres is that community development is all about improving the urban sanitation, keeping streets clean, engaging in refuse disposal and forming local vigilante groups to provide night time security among neighbourhoods. Others assume that community development has to do with rehabilitating drug addicts and taking care of juveniles. Some even think that community development has so much to do with the establishment and running of co-operatives societies. Yes, these varying ideas, thoughts and opinions are not entirely wrong as they reflect the vast and diverse domain of community development.

A former school mate of mine who is in the insurance industry was surprized when I informed him that I am a community development practitioner. He was obviously surprised and wondered how I came about the financial resources to be involved in community development. He reminded me of a particular Nigerian businessman and a philanthropist who used his stupendous wealth to assist many ordinary Nigerians. He told me that this man built and donated many health facilities and religious worship centres to many communities around the country, and even offered scholarships to countless indigent children and youths. My friend concluded by saying that the philanthropic gesture by this businessman encapsulates community development in totality. With a tone of finality, he explained that it is only very wealthy individuals who desire to assist poor people or communities especially those who may not be in position to repay such goodwill that can practice community development.

From the perspective of my friend, there is a mix up in his understanding of community development and philanthropy. However, it is important to note that like community development, philanthropy is driven by the quest to meet human needs, alleviate human suffering, and solve the problems that prevent human development and progress, so there could be a recognized degree of overlap in their practices, but they are not the same thing.

Philanthropy enhances community development through the process of giving. It is a substantial and growing source of funds and finance for community development programmes and activities. Philanthropy contributes to community development and capitalizes community development effort. Philanthropy gives to society in several ways but recently, it is mostly directed to supporting individual ingenuity and community/human development initiatives.

These are some of the myths and misconceptions about the profession of community development and the concluding part will be coming up in our next blog.

Dispelling Public Misconceptions about Community Development as a Discipline and Profession.

Dispelling Public Misconceptions about Community Development as a Discipline and Profession.

Community development means different things to different people. There are people out there who see themselves as being in the business of community development but have little knowledge about the discipline or profession.  Over the past decades, the field of community development has evolved and grown substantially as a profession and as a discipline with many degree and certificate programmes offered by many institutions locally and internationally. Many organizations also provide continuous professional training and education to strengthen the skills and technical competences of practitioners.

In the next couple of months, this blog will focus on providing relevant information that will clearly educate individuals and the general public about the field of community development in particular and the field of development in general while exploring the linkages between local and international development. Doing this will not only help to chart a road map for individuals with interest in community development, but will benefit and guide recent graduates, members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), students, and other interested individuals who desire to take up career in community and international development.

We will equally be exploring the boundless career/occupation/ job opportunities available in the field that has largely remained untapped by youths. While you are still reading this material, new programmes/projects are constantly being established to address both the existing and fresh challenges facing many communities locally and globally, and with such rapid expansion, there is always a corresponding increase in the demand for professionals in the field. The world is actually looking up to development specialists for solutions to various complex problems and challenges facing communities around the world. Currently, global development finance and philanthropic resources are being channeled to development organizations to support young men and women with innovative ideas and insights on how to address numerous social and environmental problems. The demand for community development practitioners are therefore steadily increasing even as recognition of social issues affecting global communities grows.

Through this blog, we also hope to bridge the workforce knowledge gap for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the development field by empowering them with the technical knowledge and valuable career skills. This platform will serve that purpose by preparing and providing practitioners and other stakeholders with the knowledge to conceptualise and manage sound programmes and the skills to effectively build and run successful development organizations.

Emerging development leaders and volunteers will gain the knowledge they need to be successful in the field, while experienced practitioners will get fresh perspectives that will enable them to perform better on their jobs.

Community Capacity - Building and Participation: A Pre – requisite for Sustaining Governments’ Development Assistance at the Grass Roots.

Community Capacity -  Building and Participation: A Pre – requisite for Sustaining Governments’ Development Assistance at the Grass Roots.

Government implement policies and provide public services such as health, education, transport, water, sanitation, law and order, welfare and social support, and invest in physical infrastructure and maintenance through the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

These programmes/projects and services are ‘delivered’ to communities as passive recipients and beneficiaries of government development assistance. The non-inclusion and non-participation of the local people in the decision – making process and the government failure to enhance the capacity of the local people to participate in such project implementation takes the control outside the communities. Government experts remain in charge of the entire project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes. The inability of the government to consult the local people through community forum/platform means that community people are not given the opportunity to participate in making decision with regard to the government’s development assistance. This also means that community capacity building plan may not be part of the project.  Ultimately, communities may be unable to maintain or sustain such facilities and services when they are delivered to them.

 In their effort to implement various public interest programmes/projects and services, governments over the years have failed to consider how to address the capacity of communities to manage or co-manage their development assistance. To ensure the sustainability of its development projects, government should begin to adopt a strategy that support and encourage community management and maintenance of such facilities by empowering the people and building the capacity of the local communities. It is through such capacity building effort that local people can gain valuable skills to promote self-help and self-reliance and ensure community ownership, maintenance and sustainability of government programmes/projects and facilities at the community level.

 The ‘Top Down’ approach adopted by government over the years has only solved short term problems as majority of government services and facilities built in many communities are not adequately maintained. The “Top Down” approach restricts community capacity and initiative, disempowers local people, creates the mentality of dependence on the government, and stifles local leadership and local organizing. In fact, the outcome of this approach can best be described as enslavement camouflaged as public service. It is not just unsustainable; it provides temporary relief in terms of service delivery to the people.

 However, the ‘bottom – up’ approach adopted by social enterprises recognize that communities are diverse, consisting of a wide range of sectors, institutions, groups, associations and individuals with differing perceptions and interests, whose potentials must be harnessed to ensure their full participation in development. A key strategy is to ensure capacity building and empowerment of the local community people. It is often said that there is no development without participation and any approach that will be successful, should recognize the critical role of the local people themselves in determining their own development.

 While the ‘top down’ approach limits the participation of community networks, the ‘bottom – up’ strategy supports the building of social and human capacity, encourages community participation, and the inclusion of diverse range of people including those who have traditionally been marginalized by the mainstream society in development effort. Involving the local people in every development process, as well as improving the capacity of the local people can foster a sense of communal ownership and sustainability of governments development programmes/projects and services.

Community Capacity - Building and Participation: A Pre – requisite for Sustaining Governments’ Development Assistance at the Grass Roots.

Community Capacity -  Building and Participation: A Pre – requisite for Sustaining Governments’ Development Assistance at the Grass Roots.

Government implement policies and provide public services such as health, education, transport, water, sanitation, law and order, welfare and social support, and invest in physical infrastructure and maintenance through the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

These programmes/projects and services are ‘delivered’ to communities as passive recipients and beneficiaries of government development assistance. The non-inclusion and non-participation of the local people in the decision – making process and the government failure to enhance the capacity of the local people to participate in such project implementation takes the control outside the communities. Government experts remain in charge of the entire project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes. The inability of the government to consult the local people through community forum/platform means that community people are not given the opportunity to participate in making decision with regard to the government’s development assistance. This also means that community capacity building plan may not be part of the project.  Ultimately, communities may be unable to maintain or sustain such facilities and services when they are delivered to them.

 In their effort to implement various public interest programmes/projects and services, governments over the years have failed to consider how to address the capacity of communities to manage or co-manage their development assistance. To ensure the sustainability of its development projects, government should begin to adopt a strategy that support and encourage community management and maintenance of such facilities by empowering the people and building the capacity of the local communities. It is through such capacity building effort that local people can gain valuable skills to promote self-help and self-reliance and ensure community ownership, maintenance and sustainability of government programmes/projects and facilities at the community level.

 The ‘Top Down’ approach adopted by government over the years has only solved short term problems as majority of government services and facilities built in many communities are not adequately maintained. The “Top Down” approach restricts community capacity and initiative, disempowers local people, creates the mentality of dependence on the government, and stifles local leadership and local organizing. In fact, the outcome of this approach can best be described as enslavement camouflaged as public service. It is not just unsustainable; it provides temporary relief in terms of service delivery to the people.

 However, the ‘bottom – up’ approach adopted by social enterprises recognize that communities are diverse, consisting of a wide range of sectors, institutions, groups, associations and individuals with differing perceptions and interests, whose potentials must be harnessed to ensure their full participation in development. A key strategy is to ensure capacity building and empowerment of the local community people. It is often said that there is no development without participation and any approach that will be successful, should recognize the critical role of the local people themselves in determining their own development.

 While the ‘top down’ approach limits the participation of community networks, the ‘bottom – up’ strategy supports the building of social and human capacity, encourages community participation, and the inclusion of diverse range of people including those who have traditionally been marginalized by the mainstream society in development effort. Involving the local people in every development process, as well as improving the capacity of the local people can foster a sense of communal ownership and sustainability of governments development programmes/projects and services.

Improving Urban Basic Services in Nigeria

    Improving Urban Basic Services in Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the fastest growing and the most rapidly urbanizing countries in the Sub – Saharan Africa. However, living in the nation’s urban centres is posing a great challenge to people’s lives. Nigeria is already grappling with the plight of the urban poor. Basic services such as housing, water and sanitation, health infrastructure etc. are far from accessible to a large proportion of urban families and dwellers.

While the nation’s policy makers and planners are battling to come to terms with the complex task of urban development, there are fears of the adverse effects of population pressures. Experts are of the view that population needs may in near future outstrip the nation’s ability to adequately provide the basic human services.

Today, urban development issues have taken the front burners in any serious development discourse even as they have become increasingly important in determining the living conditions of many families, especially as they affect the poor. In Nigeria, the number of the urban poor and the number of extreme poor has been on the rise in recent times. The current economic recession, caused by low economic growth and rising youth unemployment has undoubtedly increased the number of the urban poor.

While many poor urban families are struggling to survive, the social safety nets have been weakening, further worsening their plight. With the limited number of citizens who can be reached with government’s social security programmes, religious organizations, informal micro – credit groups, and mutual assistance systems are being established as alternative coping mechanisms to support individuals in need.

To address this matter, efforts should be made to properly implement national urban policy that support urban poverty alleviation and improve urban development through the provision of basic services.

NGOs should continue to promote access to micro – credits, skills and training aimed at enhancing micro – businesses which will enhance the livelihoods and the earning capacities of poor families, women and youths.

NGOs and Community – Based Organizations (CBOs) should continue to implement local programmes of action that target low – income areas such as slums and squatter settlements in major cities in the country.

Unleashing The Power of Social Enterprise (1)

Unleashing The Power of Social Enterprise (1)

The NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, non – profits, charities, voluntary and civil society organizations represent the social conscience of our nation. In an era of increased uncertainty about public funding, these organizations are depending on outside capital to finance various programmes in the country that improve quality of life.

Without their work, the nation would be a much poorer society morally and economically. As the gap they fill continue to grow so must our support for them.

The Power of Social Enterprise (11)

The Power of Social Enterprise (11)

With over 120 million Nigerians living below the poverty line, and the latest ranking of Nigeria as 152 out of 188 countries of the world, Nigeria has thus become one of the poorest countries, despite her rich human and natural resources.