Monday 18 July 2022

CORRUPTION ANONYMOUS (CORA) WHISTLE-BLOWING PLATFORM

The Corruption Anonymous (CORA) Whistle-blowing Platform a.k.a. 'Blow The Whistle!' was launched at Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja on the 14th of July, 2022. I was a stakeholder at the event. The platform enables citizens report cases of corruption anonymously. The initiative is the brain child of the African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (ACMIL) and Partners United, supported by MacArthur Foundation.

                                                  Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the event

Some of the participants are:

*Representative of the Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning - Dr. Zainab Ahmed

*Representative of the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) - Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye

*Senior Programme Officer, MacArthur Foundation - Dr. Amina Salihu

*Coordinator, African Centre for Media & Information Literacy - Dr. Chido Onumah

*Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist - Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

*Director, Public Policy Initiative, Yar'Adua Foundation - Amara Nwakpa

*Representative of the EFCC

*Representative of the Nigeria Police

*Representative of National Orientation Agency (NOA)

*Representative Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB)

*Representative Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)

Photo L-R: Dr. Amina Salihu (Snr. Programme Officer, MacArthur Foundation) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

After the formal launch of the CORA Tool on Partners United, there was a panel discussion on 'Practical Approaches & Best Practices for Incentivising Whistle-blowing in Nigeria'. The panel was chaired by Dr. Inya Ode (Lux Terra Foundation). The discussants were Oke Epia (OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative), Johnson Oluwadare (Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit), Azuka Ogugua (ICPC), Ayo Olowonihi (EFCC Academy).

CORA is indeed a valuable addition to the already existing platforms for reporting cases of corruption...



  

Wednesday 6 July 2022

TRANSFORMING THE FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT IN NIGERIA VIA TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

On the 29th of June 2022, the Close of Project Workshop for 'Transforming farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria through technological innovation and outreach' was held online via Zoom. Prof. Matthew Turner, Prof. Leif Brottem (Project Coordinator), Allisa Stark and others joined the meeting from the USA. Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa and invitees joined from Abuja. Prof. Azeez Olaniyan came through from Oye-Ekiti, while Dr. Saeed Owonikoko and his team of herders who had tested the Mapeo Mobile App shared their experiences from Yola! It was indeed a robust exchange across the ocean. I was and still is the Civil Society Lead for the project in Abuja. The project was funded by the American Embassy, Abuja. The  twelve-month project began in August 2021 and the cycle closes August 2022. Some of the key personnel in the project are:

*Prof. Matthew Turner - Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Geography, University of Wisonsin-Madison, USA

*Prof. Leif Brottem - Associate Professor of Global Development Studies, Grimnell College, Iowa/University of Wisconsin-Madison: Oct. 2021-Present/Project Coordinator

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Gender Specialist & Former Director, Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja/Civil Society Lead for Nigeria-based activities

*Prof. Azees Olaniyan - Professor of  Political Science, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria/Nigeria-based academic team leader

*Dr. Saeed Owonikoko - Lecturer, Modibbo Adamawa University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria/Lead, Toolkit pilot testing in Adamawa state, Nigeria

*Alissa Stark - Web Cartographer, University of Wisconson-Madison Cartography Lab (https://geography.wisc.edu/cartography)/Customised a version of the Mapeo App for the use of pastoralists in Nigeria)

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa presenting her paper titled: 'Remarks on the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria' @ the Close of Project Workshop held @ the American Corner, Abuja

The papers presented at the Online Workshop are:

*Project background and overview of pastoral mobility vis-a-vis conflict - Prof. Leif Brottem

*Remarks on the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria - Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

*Presentation of Toolkit - Alissa Stark

*Toolkit experiences from Song & Gombi LGAs of Adamawa state, Nigeria - Dr. Saheed Owonikoko/Danjuma Musa/Manu Jibo

*The Mapeo App: Legal & policy considerations - Prof. Azeez Olaniyan

*Future direction/collaboration - Prof. Leif Brottem/Dr. Dayo Kusa/Dr. Saheed Owonikoko 

The first poster designed by Dr. Dayo Kusa when the Close of project workshop was to be held face-to-face @ IPCR, Abuja. The paucity of funds and logistic considerations changed plans to holding the workshop online, with Abuja invitees @ the American Corner...

About the project & the Mapeo Mobile App

The project addresses land access as a root cause of farmer-herder violence in Nigeria via strengthening conflict transformation mechanisms through US-Nigeria collaborative development of a Mobile Geo-spatial Toolkit. The kit would make adequate info on land resources more accessible/available to all stakeholders. The App would also be 'scalable' across Nigeria's farmer-herder conflict hot-spots. The project is in partnership with the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti & Modibbo Adamawa University of Technology, Yola. (Source: linkedin.com/in/leif-brottem-957a4250)

The Mobile App is a customised version of the offline - first Mapeo Mobile Application (Digital Democray) for pastoralists in Adamwa state, Nigeria. The App would give the pastoralists control over the spatial data that they feel  would assist them in the mitigation of conflict over land use and  resources. The toolkit for the Nigerian team includes custom observations and options which the observations as well as icons and map tiles. (Source: linkedin.com/in/alissa-v-stark-5b106b16)

Photo L-R: Chrisantus Lapang (EWER Manager, Mercy Corps), Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Bryan Weiner (Search for Common Ground - SFCG)

The beauty of the Mapeo Mobile App is that it's an 'Open Source Platform', locally driven and team-oriented. It's adaptable to low band width environments. The data structure facilitates flexible information management for communities. The Google earth engine sets global standards for remote sensing analysis of land cover and other environmental data. Mapeo designed an Application Protocol Interface (API) to interact with real-time  Earth Engine data over email or website. (Source: Project Proposal to the American Embassy). 

The process for the selection of the toolkit pilot testing sites was systematic and inclusive in consonance with the standards of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of the testing of the toolkit is based on current UNDP guidelines for measuring projects' inclusivity, efficiency and efficacy towards achieving the following three goals:

1) Pace the Mobile Toolkit development.
2) Monitor the phases of production of the resource governance principles.
3) Organise the workshop according to pre-established criteria.
4) Execution of the media and outreach campaign

The goals are:

1) Develop a Mobile Geo-spatial Toolkit to strengthen conflict transformation mechanisms through US-Nigeria technology cooperation. This would improve access to land info.
2) Deploy the toolkit and conduct outreach ti increase its impact. Initiate national outreach and influence the debate on land governance and the farmer-herder crisis.

Some of the participants @ the Abuja end of the 'Close of Project Workshop': 2nd left front row: Chrisantus Lapang - EWER Manager, Mercy Corps, Abuja. 3rd left front row: Engr. Adams Otakwu - Concener of the 'Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria with representatives in the 774 LGAs in the country.

There was robust online discussion where Prof. Matthew Turner said that the use of polygons rather than simple points could be more helpful while deploying the Mobile App. Some commentators wondered if every pastoralist must own a mobile phone. The unanimous response was that it may not be necessary for every herder to possess a mobile phone. Traditional rulers, community leaders, district heads and other respected and trusted members of the community could hold at least one mobile phone with the Mapeo Mobile App installed on it in trust for the pastoralists in the area. A particular well known individual within the community could be saddled with the responsibility of disseminating the required information that would identify potential grazing spots while avoiding destruction of farmland...

Oscar Ekponimo, award winning AI/Robotics Expert/CEO of Gallery of Code, Abuja/Inventor of the Chowberry App was worried about the licensing structure for the App, etc. I guess the discussion between Oscar and Alissa should continue in order to further fine tune the App.

Next Steps:

1) It is obvious from the foregoing that the customised Mapeo Mobile App intended for the use of pastoralists in Nigeria, beyond Adamawa state where it's been tested, is work in progress, which needs to be constantly fine-tuned.

2) Further discussion is necessary between Oscar Ekponimo, Alissa Stark and other stakeholders for the evolution of the App into what is considered germane for the mitigation and indeed transformation of the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria.

3) The ultimate aim should be the ownership of the Mapeo Mobile App by those for whom it's meant, the pastoralists in Nigeria. The farmers should not be left out of the discourse if we indeed wish to elicit harmony in that sector.

4) Because the Close of Project Workshop was held online, we missed out on critical outreach in Abuja to government agencies and other vital stakeholders. If and when there's more funding for the project, we should note that the outreach is still necessary.

5) The Press, the fourth estate of the realm, of which I'm a valued stakeholder (I was the first National Assembly Correspondent of the Guardian Newspaper at inception in 1983) is germane for the successful dissemination of the 'nitty gritty' as regards the Mobile App. Subsequent funding could make provision for training in Specialised Conflict Reporting - Reportage of Farmer-Herder Conflict in Nigeria. Many of the reporters have no clue as to the techniques of professional reportage of the conflict. Some of the current reports either in the 'traditional' or 'new' media actually contribute to the escalation of the conflict!

6) This project has definitely contributed to the strengthening of cordial relations between Nigeria and the USA. Such conviviality needs to continue.

7) Conflict Impact Assessment (CIA) of the App is necessary.While using the Customised Mapeo Mobile App, conflict could arise between and among pastoralists. Besides, even more complex conflicts could arise between pastoralists and farmers. What is to be done? I am a Chartered Mediator/Conciliator (Certified over two decades ago). In consultation with our formidable team, a robust conflict transformation mechanism specifically tailored towards relieving tension that occurs on account of the App could be developed. 

8) The gender dimension: We should note that not all pastoralists are male. Some women and girls are also pastoralists. They have special needs, separate from the men and boys. Could their needs be taken into account in the deployment of the Customised Mapeo App? For example, could there be designated polygons rather than specific points where female pastoralists could access water?   

9) The poor internet connection via Zoom/Google Meet, etc. frustrated me many times. We should continue to think of creative ways of making communication across the ocean relatively seamless...

10) The current language of the App is English, which most of the pastoralists and indeed farmers do not speak. In order to 'democratise' the App, there should be inclusivity as regards the use of language, starting with the Hausa language which most pastoralists and some farmers speak. Subsequently, other major Nigerian languages could be incorporated into the App.

The issues raised under 'next steps' are not exhaustive. The conversation continues off-line. Before I sign off, however, I must commend the leadership qualities of Prof. Leif Brottem (Coordinator of the project), who was under pressure throughout the project, working with a new set of 'colleagues' from Nigeria he hardly knew. He managed the cultural differences with dexterity, maturity and tact, while ensuring that the project continued against all odds. Bravo to every member of the team and our esteemed invitees. I appreciate you all...

                                           Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa facilitating @ the Workshop

     Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa outside the venue of the Workshop @ the American Corner, Abuja


Related Links

*Promoting peace & managing farmer-herder conflict: The role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Agogo, Ghana    https://www.cambridge.org/.../592467348FA...

*What Nigeria must do to stop farmer-herder clashes    https://www.premiumtimesng.com

*Herders against farmers: Nigeria's deadly conflict    https://www.crisisgroup.org/.../nigeria/252-herders-against-farmers-nigerias-expanding,,,

*9 facts you did not know about farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria    https://www.naija.ng

*ASUU seeks solution to farmer-herder clashes    thenationonlineng.net/unijos-asuu-seeks-solution-farmer-herder-clashes/

*FFARN Policy Brief: The implications of the 'Open-grazing prohibition & ranches establishment law' for farmer-herder relations in the Middle-Belt of Nigeria    https://www.sfcg.org/policy-brief-legislation-farmer-herder-nigeria/

*Herders-farmers clashes today: Ecology, class & categorical politics in contemporary Nigeria    https://www.quicknews-africa.net/herdsmen-farmers-clashes-today-ecology-class-and.../

*The drought-migration nexus: Implications for socio-ecological conflicts in Nigeria    https://www.researchgate.net/publications/273909802

*Land, conflict, climate change & violence in Nigeria: Patterns, mapping & evaluation    nsrp-nigeria.org

*Pastoralism in Nigeria's Middle-Belt region: A resource or a curse?    eajournals.org

*FFARN Policy Brief: Responses to conflicts between farmers & herders in he Middle-Belt of Nigeria: Mapping past efforts & opportunities for violence prevention   https://sfcg.org/policy-brief-responses-conflicts-farmer-herder-middle-belt-nigeria/

*FFARN Policy Brief: Seeking security & stability: An analysis of security responses to farmer-herder conflicts in the Middle-Belt region of Nigeria    https://sfcg.org/policy-brief-seeking-security-stability-analysis-security-responses-farmer-herder-conflict-middle-belt-nigeria/

*FFARN Policy Brief: Transnational dimensions of conflict between farmers & herders in Western Sahel & Lake Chad Basin    https://sfcg.org/policy-brief-transnational-dimensions-conflict-farmers-herders-western-sahel-lake-chad-basin/

*The impact of the farmer-herder conflict on women in Adamawa, Gombe & Plateau states of Nigeria    sfcg.org

*Prepared for peace: A cross-cutting conflict transformation toolkit for conflict & violent extremism in Northern Nigeria    sfcg.org

*Report on the future of the Forum on Farmer-Herder Relations in Nigeria (FFARN): 2021 and byond    sfcg.org

*Pastoralists vs arable farmers    dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/dlc/bitstream/handle/10535/1034/gefuj080502.pdf

*Resource use conflict between farmers and herders    https://www.researchgate.net/.../272510966_resource_use_conflict_between.../

*Pastoralist-farmers conflicts & the search for a durable resolution     https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pastoralist-farmers-conflicts-and-search-peaceful.../

*Socio-economic effects of farmer-pastoralist conflict    https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jae/article/download/126590/116117

*Newspaper coverage of herdsmen-farmers conflict in central Tiv-land, Benue state, Nigeria    journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1750635217741912

*Farmer-herder relations & conflict management     https://cgspace.cigar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/.../TranshumancePastoralism.pdf

*Livelihood issues in farmer-herder conflicts     www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJAR/article-full-text-pdf/OC8AB8864785

*Herder-farmer conflict in Nigeria: A threat to peace-building    https://africaupclose.wilsoncentre.org/herdsmen-and-farmers-conflict-in-nigeria.../

*The political ecology of farmer-herder conflicts in Nasarawa state, Nigeria    www.aijcrnet.com/journals/vol_4_no_2_february_2014/11.pdf

*Herders vs farmers: Nigeria's other security crisis     https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/.../herders-vs-farmers-nigeria-s-other-security-crisis/

*Only integrated livestock settlement can end farmer-herder conflicts    thenationonlineng.net/integrated-livestock-settlement-can-end-farmer-herder-conflicts/

*The transformation of conflict between pastoralists & cultivators in Nigeria    rogerblanch.info/conflict/herder-farmer.../

*Jihadists, drought threaten pastoral life in Sahel region    https://t.co/4891FOL2SI

*Device that pulls water from the air    wef.ch/2IcXfpC

*The application of Geo-spatial Analytical Technique in the...   https:digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi...

*Nigeria: farmers & herders clash over land    https://iwpr.net/global-voices/nigeria-herders-farmers-clash-over-land/

*2016 Strategic Conflict Assessment of Nigeria    www.ng.undp.org/.../nigeria/.../strategic-conflict-assessment-nigeria/

*Conflicts between transhumant pastoralists & farmers in Nigeria    https://pastoralist2.wordpress.com/...conflicts-between-transhumant-pastoralist

*Nigeria's 'cattle colony' problem     https;//www.aljazeera.com/.../nigeria-cattle-colony-problem-180128104645...html

*Land use conflict between farmers & herders    cdn.intechopen.com/.../In-Tech-Land_use_conflict_between_farmers_and_herdsmen/

*An assessment of farmer-pastoralist conflict in Nigeria using GIS    www.ijesi.org/papers/Vol(4)7/E047023033.pdf

*Arable land    jasdevr.org/ej/index.php/jasd/article/download/32/3

*Agricultural investments & pastoralists    www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/11/2063/pdf

*From complementarity to conflict    www.accord.org.za/ajcr-issues/from-complementarity-conflict/

*Transhumance # Pastoralism: Long-running Reindeer Movement in search of # Pasture Stoking Up Tension between Sweden & Norway    https://t.co/kwvUgNbj69

*How fake news fuels Nigeria's farmer-herder crisis    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-44655148/

*Plateau: Farmer-herder forum suggests solutions to clashes    htps://www.dailytrust.com.ngplateau-farmer-herder-forum-suggests-solutions-to-clashes/

 

  












Tuesday 5 July 2022

AMAC-FCT COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACCESS & CLIMATE ACTION

 On the 5th of July 2022, I was a valued participant at the official launch of Abuja Municipal Area Council's (AMAC) Sustainable Energy Access & Climate Change Action Plan (SEACAP). The welcome address was delivered by Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, Executive Chairman, AMAC. Dr. Azizat 'Sola Gbadegesin guided us through 'AMAC's SECAP journey & the SECAP key findings, targets and action'.

                    Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa outside Johnwood Hotel, Abuja, venue of the event

AMAC became a signatory to the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoMSSA) after signing the political commitment document (PCD) in January 2021. In order to translate their political commitment into practical measures, CoMSSA signatories commit to developing and implementing a strategic and operational document called the Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP). The SEACAP is a key document that sets strategies, plans, targets, and actions for a sustainable and low greenhouse (GHG) emission development pathway...(Source: CoMSSA - SEACAP Executive Summary, AMAC-FCT June 2022...) See also CoMSSA wbsite - www.comssa.org

L-R: Dr. Azizat 'Sola Gbadegesin (Climate Change, Energy & Resilience Officer, Local Government for Sustainability Africa - ICLEI Africa) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

The major SEACAP pilllars are: Mitigation, Adaptation & Energy. Under the Mitigation pillar, 'By 2030. AMAC will reduce GHG emissions by 25% compared to business as usual and have a clean environment, sustainable clean energy supply, efficient transport system and integrated waste management system, in line with global best practice' (Source: CoMSSA-SEACAP Executive Summary)

Under the Adaptation pillar AMAC is committed to 'A resilient and sustainable AMAC that promotes the socio-economic well-being of vulnerable groups, and enhances the adaptive capacity of its economic sectors in a gender-responsive manner by 2030' (Source: CoMSSA-SEACAP Executive Summary). The gender aspect of this commitment is very important. Both sexes, especially women, need to be carried along since the environmental degradation affects men and women differently...  

Similarly, for the Energy pillar, 'By 2030, AMAC would have access to clean, reliable, efficient and affordable energy for all its populace for sustainable development' (Source: CoMSSA-SEACAP Executive Summary)

The foregoing commitments constituted harmonious music in my ears as a resident of AMAC-FCT from 2022 to date! I believe the promises would be fulfilled if all hands remain on deck and the level of political commitment is sustained...Bravo, AMAC-FCT...

                             Gbagyi Dance Troupe dancer entertaining guests @ the event

Gbagyi Dance Troupe still entertaining by pounding dry corn with pestle and mortar on the belly of one of them. What a feat!