Campaign - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Tue, 2025

Katsina: NGO begins campaign on climate resilience, disaster preparedness

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By Abbas Bamalli

A non-governmental organisation, the GoalPrime Organisation Nigeria (GPON), has begun a campaign to strengthen climate resilience and disaster preparedness in Katsina State.

The Advocacy Officer, Miss Maimunat Muhammad-Kabir, said at the opening of a three-day campaign in Katsina, that the North-West region was facing multiple natural and human-induced challenges.

Speaking at the campaign titled: “Climate Information, Disaster Risk Concepts, and Anticipatory Action Plan Development”, Muhammad-Kabir said that conflicts, displacement, insecurity, and climate change impact were plaguing the region.

The GPON official said that the challenges in the region had disrupted learning, increased vulnerability, and weakened the resilience of both host and displaced communities, especially in Katsina and Zamfara States.

“Children, girls, and those with disabilities are the worst hit, this campaign aims to strengthen community-led anticipatory actions to improve climate resilience.

“Our targets here are vulnerable schools and communities in Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina, and Anka in Zamfara.

“The participants are guided through hands-on sessions to help them to develop localised anticipatory action plans.

“These are plans designed to identify key hazards, triggers, and early actions tailored towards their specific local government areas,” she said.

Muhammad-Kabir further said that the goal of the campaign was to strengthen coordination among stakeholders to ensure disaster risk reduction and early warning response.

She said that GPON was a national NGO dedicated to improving the lives of children, young people and caregivers through partnerships and culturally sensitive approaches.

Also speaking at the event, Miss Beatrice Ama-Noah, the Climate Action Lead, said that the campaign would improve stakeholders’ understanding of climate risk, anticipatory action frameworks, and emergency preparedness.

Ama-Noah said that the plans developed during the campaign would enhance collaboration between stakeholders and trigger effective preparedness for climate-related emergencies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign is being organised in collaboration with Save the Children International under the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) First Emergency Response project.

It brought together government officials, technical agencies, and community leaders to improve knowledge and coordination around climate risk and early warning systems. (NAN)

Edited by Ehigimetor Igbaugba and Azubuike Okeh

Foundation’s ‘Read to Lead’ campaign to boosts child literacy

Philip Daniel Yatai
May, Fri, 2025

Education

Foundation’s ‘Read to Lead’ campaign to boosts child literacy

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By Angela Atabo/Aderogba George

The Gbemisola Yussuff Foundation (GYF), an NGO focused on empowering underserved children, has launched the ‘Read to Lead’ campaign to promote reading beyond the classroom.

At the Abuja inauguration, founder Aisha Yussuff said the campaign aims to make reading a lifelong habit, vital for personal, social, and academic growth.

Yussuff explained that her passion for children and desire to provide quality education inspired the launch of the ‘Read to Lead’ campaign.

“Many children in underserved communities lack basic education. This motivated me to give back and help bridge that gap.

“It’s time we acted. If you can’t read, you can’t lead. These children are our future, and we must care for them,” she said.

Key initiatives include enhancing school libraries, donating books, hosting storytelling sessions, and organising reading competitions to boost literacy among children.

She also revealed plans to establish ICT and AI learning hubs to teach coding and digital skills to young learners.

Yussuff noted that educational outreaches would support schools, train teachers, and mentor students in underserved areas.

“We want children to return to physical books, while also adapting to the digital age through ICT and AI education.

“With the ICT hub, children can learn coding, interact globally, and improve communication through English despite Nigeria’s diverse languages,” she said.

She stressed that reading basic English is essential for communication and national unity, reinforcing the campaign’s significance.

Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, praised the foundation for launching the initiative.

Represented by his Special Assistant on Intergovernmental Affairs, Dr Sherifat Adegbesan, he said the campaign would instil a strong reading culture from an early age.

“We want children not just to read, but to enjoy it. This will stimulate creativity and curiosity.

“Reading opens minds. A child in a village can explore the world through books, discovering cultures beyond their environment,”Adegbesan said.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Sonny Echono, noted that reading benefits everyone and gives students a competitive edge.

Represented by Mohammed Khalid, Assistant Director Education Support Services Director, TETFund, he said reading helps children understand diverse issues and their surroundings better.

“There’s a saying: catch a fish in the morning. Instill reading early, and children will grow up with that habit,” he said.

Mrs Rachel Nebo, Deputy Director,Public service department at the National Library of Nigeria, described ‘Read to Lead’ as more than a campaign — it’s a movement.

“It calls on Nigerians, especially in rural areas, to embrace reading,” she said, applauding the foundation’s initiative.

Nebo congratulated GYF and urged students to take full advantage of the campaign for a brighter future. (NAN)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah / Kamal Tayo Oropo

Archbishop pledges support for Clean Nigeria campaign

Tosin Kolade
Feb, Tue, 2025

Environment

Archbishop pledges support for Clean Nigeria campaign

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By Tosin Kolade

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has pledged the Church’s support for the Federal Government’s Clean Nigeria, ‘Use the Toilet’campaign to end open defecation.

He made the commitment when he received the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, and senior ministry officials in Abuja on Tuesday.

Kaigama commended the government’s engagement with religious leaders, stressing that governance should involve direct interaction with the people.

He noted the church’s role in raising awareness and educating communities, particularly in rural areas, about the dangers of open defecation and the need for improved sanitation.

He emphasised that open defecation contributes to waterborne diseases, environmental degradation, and public health risks.

Citing Pope Francis’ Laudato Si on environmental care, he noted that the church is committed to promoting hygiene and sanitation.

Kaigama assured that he would personally advocate for the campaign and encourage priests to incorporate sanitation messages in their teachings.

He recalled the church’s role in promoting health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed readiness to collaborate with the government in ensuring clean and safe environments.

Earlier, Utsev explained that the Clean Nigeria campaign, launched in 2019, aims to eliminate open defecation by 2030.

He noted progress, with 142 local governments now declared open defecation-free, up from 102 before the current administration.

He urged the church to reinforce the message in its teachings and provide sanitation facilities as models for communities.

According to him, the Federal Government is willing to provide technical assistance to support the initiative.

“Our appeal is that we cannot achieve this without the support and collaboration of the Church. That is why we are calling on the Church to support us in this effort, as it will benefit all Nigerians.

“We recognise the power of the Church’s message and its wide-reaching influence. This is why we have chosen the Church as a key partner in promoting Nigeria’s goal of becoming an open defecation-free nation.

“Through Church conferences, this message can be shared, and priests attending these gatherings can help spread awareness in both urban and rural communities.

“Additionally, we would appreciate the opportunity to participate in these conferences, where our personnel can address bishops, priests, and seminarians to further promote this campaign.

“We sincerely thank you and pray that, through this collaboration, our people will enjoy better living conditions. Improved sanitation will also boost our nation’s economy, as public health is closely linked to economic development.

“We, therefore, urge the church to assist and partner with us in driving this campaign forward”.

The minister joined Catholics in praying for Pope Francis’ recovery and expressed hope for stronger church-government collaboration on public health and development. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Dec, Thu, 2024

General News

Kano unveils anti-corruption strategy

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By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Kano state government has unveiled an Anti-Corruption Strategy (2024–2028), a comprehensive framework aimed at tackling corruption and promoting integrity.

The event was conducted with support of the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, being implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

The event coincided with the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD), whuch has as its theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.”

The theme of the event highlights the vital role young people play as catalysts for change in the fight against corruption.

Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf undetscored the importance of addressing corruption, describing it as a cancer that erodes trust, undermines institutions, and hampers progress.

“Protecting human rights is at the heart of our administration’s agenda. We are committed to blocking systemic linkages, investigating corruption, and ensuring value for public funds,” he said.

Ibrahim Bello, RoLAC Coordinator in the state, reaffirmed commitment of the EU to support anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria.

“The European Union and International IDEA remain steadfast in their partnership with Nigeria to promote good governance, transparency and accountability. This strategy demonstrates what can be achieved through collective efforts.

“The governor is a formidable partner in the fight against corruption in the state. He has shown unwavering commitment by working with development partners to ensure a corruption free state,” he said.

The event featured debates, sensitisation and discussion sessions, aimed at fostering strong collaboration among stakeholders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani