HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNDER THE KALEIDOSCOPE

On the 28th of April 2022 in Abuja, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), held its 25th National Stakeholders' Consultative Forum (NSCF) on Human Trafficking & Presentation of three National Policy Documents. The documents launched are:

*The National Policy on Protection & Assistance to Trafficked Persons in Nigeria

*The National Action Plan on Human Trafficking in Nigeria

*Protocol for Identification, Safe Return & Rehabilitation of Trafficked Persons

                L-R: Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi (DG NAPTIP) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

The minutes of the last NSCF held on the 21st of November 2019 (pre-Covid19), were presented. Dame (Barr.) Julie Okah-Donli was DG NAPTIP then.

*Mrs. Sadiya Umar Farouk - Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development, Represented     

*Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi - DG NAPTIP

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strtegist/Gender Expert

*Olubiyi Olusayo - Director, Research & Programmes Dept., NAPTIP

*STF Chairman/HSAGs or Co-Chair/NAPTIP Zonal Directors

*Olatunji Rasheed - Asst. Director, Research & Programmes Dept.

*Arize Orakwe - Director, Training & Manpower Development Dept., NAPTIP

Stakeholders were very frank in their discussion. A communique was then issued. It is indeed noteworthy that the NAPTIP 25th Stakeholders' Meeting was successfully held. I look forward to the 26th edition, which I'm sure would build on the gains so far.

     

GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN THE SECURITY SECTOR

Between the 11th and 13th of April 2022, I was a valued member of Faculty for the Customised Training of Officers (women and men) of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) in Abuja, towards the development of their Gender Policy. The training was organised by the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) in collaboration with Country Associates Network (CANET).

                      Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the Conference Hall of the DSS in Abuja

The Modules I taught are:

*Understanding Gender Mainstreaming

*UNSCR 1325 in the Context of Gender Mainstreaming, Mediation & The Security Architecture

*Development of Gender Sensitive Action Plans

Other Modules are:

*CEDAW, CRC, Child Rights Act (2003), Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act - VAPP (2015), National Gender Policy, etc by Barr. Rhoda Tyoden (Former National President, International Federation of Women Lawyers - FIDA)

*Understanding Gender as a Social Construct by Mrs. Ebi Emuzie (Ag. Director, Training & Development)

*Achieving Gender Equality through Multi-Sectoral Approaches in the Security Sector/Gender & Human Security/ by Princess Jumai Idonije (SA Technical to the Minister of Women Affairs)

*The Role of the Criminal Justice System in the Implementation of the VAPP Act by Ms Ene Ede (1st FCT VAPP Coordinator)

*The Importance of Gender in Policy Formulation/Gender & Performance Management by Dr. Jumai Ahmadu (Director, Reform & Coordination, FCTA)

*Gaps in Women's Participation & Representation in the Small Arms & Light Weapons Process by Mimidoo Achakpa (IANSA Women Network, Nigeria)

*Listening & Communication Skills by Mrs. Okiemute Olori (John Maxwell Licensed Speaker & Trainer/Youth Mentor/Bradcaster/Gender Advocate

*Experience Sharing in Designing a Gender Policy in the Security Sector by Brigadier-General Thomas (Rtd) - Former Gender Advisor to the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS)

*Gender-Based Violence & Cyber Security by Morrison Udobong (Head, ICT NCWD) 

                   Photo L-R: Brigadier-General Thomas (Rtd) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

On the whole, it was three days of intensive coaching for the officers of the DSS from the various Commands, who converged in Abuja to understand how gender can be mainstreamed into their proposed  'Gender Policy'. I look forward to reviewing the Policy when it's ready eventually

Photo L-R: Two DSS Officers, Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Ms. Ene Ede (Ist VAPP Coordinator, FCT)

                                                      Cross Section of Course Participants

28th March 2023. Dr. Dayo facilitating @ the DSS HQ, Abuja during the 'External' validation meeting for the Draft Gender Policy of the DSS

28th March 2023: Dr. Dayo Kusa (3rd right) @ the validation meeting for the Draft Gender Policy of the DSS 

Related Links

*Gender inequality and internal conflict    oxfordre.com

*Reasons people remain in abusive relationships    https://lnkd.in/eSfGcXgB

*Gender/Race mainstreaming & the US Supreme Court: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed as first black female Judge in the Supreme Court in 232 years!    whitehouse.gov

*Tracking Affirmative Action in Ogun State    guardian.ng

*Affirmative Action: Court orders Nigerian government to reserve 35% of public offices for women    premiumtimesng.com

*Buhari will implement judgement on 35% Affirmative Action - Dame Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs    premiumtimesng.com

*Gender Equality and the empowerment of women by UN Women    https://pos.li/2l0qjj

*We must raise girls to be brave, not perfect    http://t.ted.com/u4Kibak

*Why 50+ is the prime of every woman's life    dailymail.co.uk

*From torment to triumph through mindfulness: How abused women (men) can heal themselves  and their families    amazon.com

*Breaking the silence on Domestic Violence (DV) in Nigeria: We must all be advocates    allafrica.com

*Domestic Violence: Minister advocates compulsory psychiatric evaluation for couples before marriage    thenationonlineng.com

*Breaking the silence on GBV in Nigeria: We must all be advocates    allafrica.com 

 

 

 

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN POLICY & DEVELOPMENT

On the 1st of April 2022, the Young Professionals in Policy & Development (YouPaD) and Freidrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) , in continuation of the Agora by YouPaD Policy Discussion series, held an interactive session on the theme: 'The gendered climate crisis - Examining inter-linkages with girls' & women's rights/security'. Some of the participants are:

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

*Ms. Zainab Yunusa - Feminist Climate Justice Advocate/Moderator

*Mrs. Hauwa Mustapha - Director, Tubali Development Initiative

*Baliqees Salaudeen - Co-Founder/Head of HR & CSR, Green Republic Farms

After animated discussion, the following were the salient issues:

*Climate change affects men and women differently.

*The fact that one is a woman does not automatically qualify one to speak on behalf of women in the rural areas. An elite woman in the city may not really understand what the lower and under class women go through.

*Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are highly politicised by government officials to the extent that they may not be fit for purpose as regards the target audience.

*Elite portfolio-carrying NGOs 'key into' the distorted NDCs in order to have a taste/slash of the 'action' (pecuniary gains) for their fake outfits which claim to be working for women and girls. There is a difference between the theory and practice of gender activism. 'Gender careerists' are not helpful to the cause of disadvantaged women, vis-a-vis the climate crisis. 

*Climate-smart farming is the way to go.

*Remember that climate action is SDG 13.

*Do whatever you can in your little corner to assuage the burden of climate change.

*The inter-generational gap between and among women could be breached via 'cross mentoring' - young women teaching older women what they know and vice versa.

*Gender sensitivity is key for effective and efficient climate action.

                                                  Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the discourse

There was a film at the start of the discourse titled: 'Climate 101', where the nitty gritty of what constitutes the greenhouse effect was explained. Besides, the disproportionate burden of climate change for women and girls was highlighted. At the end of the interaction, another film, 'Nowhere to hide', which depicts different perspectives of the farmer-herder crisis, a natural resource based conflict was viewed. It was indeed a Friday afternoon/evening well spent for me...   

 

CIVIL-MILITARY COOPERATION FOR SUSTAINABLE SECURITY IN NIGERIA

 Between the 28th and 30th of March 2022, I was the anchor at the three-day parley in Abuja by the Conference of Civil Society in Nigeria. The convener was Comrade Adams Otakwu. The theme of the conference was: 'Civil-military cooperation (CIMICO) for maximum security in Nigeria'. Some of the participants are:

*Dame Paulin Tallen - Minister of Women Affairs

*Boss Mustapha (Rep. by Mrs. Fowowe Ogunboye, Special Services Office) - Secretary to the Govt. of the Federation (SGF)

*Gen. Lucky Irabor (Represented by Rear Admiral A.O. Ayobanjo) - Chief of Defense Staff

*Maj. Gen. Parker Undiandeye - Director, Psychological Warfare, Dept. of Civil-Military Cooperation, Defense Headquarters

*Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya (Rep. by Brig. Gen. o. Adegbe) - Chief of Army Staff

*Vice Admiral Awa Gambo  - Chief of Naval Staff

*Air Marshall Isiaka Amao (Rep. by Air Commodore A.E. Nweke, Director, Civil-Military Relations, NAF) - Chief of Air Staff

*DCP Oyeniyi Yemi John - Rep. IG of Police

*ACP Marcus Ishaku 

*Osaigbovo Ehis (Press Secretary to Minister of Police Affairs) - Rep. Minister of Police Affairs

*Amb. Nuhu Mohammed - Nigeria's Permanent Representative to ECOWAS

*Ms. Ene Ede - ED, Equity Advocates

*Barr. Mohammed Abubakar - Fmr. Governor of Bauchi state/Conference Chairman

*Comrade Adams Otakwu - Convener, Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Event Anchor

*Ms. Solene Dujo - Representative of the French Embassy

*Col Shakes Mashalaba - Defense Adviser, South Africa High Commission

*Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi (mni) (Represented by AACG David Abi (fsi) - Commandant, NSCDC

*Kenneth Iheasirim (mni) - Rep. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

*Dr. Mohammed Auwal - Moderator

*Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa Rtd. (Rep. by Chigbu Chilee,  Deputy Commander, Narcotics) - Chairman, NDLEA

*Tony Njoku Esq. (Rep. by Benedict Agu, SA to ES & Head of Monitoring Dept, NHRC) - ES, NHRC

*Hajia Hadiza Abubakar, ED Broad Sustainable Women Empowerment Programme (BISWIP) - Special guest 

The conference sub-themes are:

*Contours of Civil-Military Cooperation & Collaboration in Nigeria: Identifying gaps & re-calibrating strategies for maximum security.

*Identifying & Curbing Foreign Threats To Internal Security Through Civil-Military Cooperation & Collaboration: Lessons From The International Community.

*Addressing Issues of Human Rights, Media Reportage& Non-Adversarial Resolutions Through Civil-Military Cooperation In The Fight Against Insecurity.

*Civil-Military Cooperation, Effective Legislative & Judicial Processes In The War Against Insecurity.

             Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the premises of the conference, Merit House, Abuja

The following were the resolutions at the end of the three-day conference:

*The Conference of Civil society of Nigeria, with support from the 36 states and 774 local government areas of Nigeria, shall co-opt more CSOs  and individualsinto the CIMICO network. The strategy is for all Nigerians to own the fight against insecurity.

*Going forward, there shall be annual Civil-Military Conferences to consolidate the gains of CIMICO in Nigeria. There shall also be Civil-Military Week, Sports competition between civilians and the Military, visit to IDP camps, etc

*The overall aim of CIMICO is to boost the morale of both the troops and the public.

*The success of CIMICO shall send signals to the international community as regards the improved human rights record of Nigeria.

*The faithful implementation of CIMICO shall underscore the expression of interest of citizens and security operatives alike in sustaining the partnership for enhanced security.

*Coferees condemn the recent attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train and condole with the families of the victims. Conferees condole with the families of fallen heroes, military and civilian alike in the course of insecurity in Nigeria...

I look forward to the second edition of the conference next year... 

Photo L-R: Representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Barr. Mohammed Abubakar (Fmr. Governor of Bauchi state & conference chair), Dame Paulen Tallen (Minister of Women Affairs) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa (event anchor)

                                     Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa (middle) with Service Chiefs

 

                       L-R: Comrade Adams Otakwu (Conference Convener & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

 

 

 

BETTER EDUCATION SERVICE DELIVERY (BESDA)

On the 24th of March 2022, I was in Port Harcourt under the auspices of Roost Foundation & BESDA (Better Education Service Delivery) as a facilitator for the training of NGOs on the following:

*Synopsis of Gender Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation Abuse (SEA) & Sexual Harassment (SH)

*Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), Discipline & Reporting Channels for SGBV, SEA & SH in schools

*Risk Assessment Management & Mitigation: Goals, Timeline & Cost

*Principles of Stakeholder Mapping

*Code of Conduct for teachers

The trainees were from Oyo, Rivers and Eboyin states

                                Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ Abazillon Hotel, Port Harcourt

BESDA is a World Bank assisted project, while RF is a front-line NGO dedicated to stemming the tide of SGBV, irregular migration, etc. It was a training of trainers session. The trainees were then expected to step down the knowledge they had acquired in their respective locales. Eight states: Kaduna, Ebonyin, Niger, Kebbi, Katsina, Oyo, Rivers & Zamfara states have been chosen as the pilot sates. More training sessions follow shortly in other states...

 

CAREER DIPLOMATS: SERVING 'WITH HEART & MIGHT'

Saturday, 19th March 2022 was indeed a good day for Mohammed Kawu Ibrahim, popularly known as M.K. Ibrahim, or simply 'MK'. It was the day he formally launched his 460 page book with 18 chapters, titled 'With Heart & Might'. The book is a lucid chronicle of MK's exploits for 33 years in Nigeria's foreign service. Eminent citizens, including myself were there to support him. Some of the eminent persons present are:

*HRH Aminu Ado Bayero - Emir of Kano

*Prof. Ibrahim Gambari - Chief of Staff to the President

*Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa - Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs

*Amb. Sani Bala - ED Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy & Development (SCDDD)

L-R: Prof. Babagana Zulum (Governor of Borno state), HRH Aminu Ado Bayero (Emir of Kano) & Prof. Ibrahim Gambari (Chief of Staff to the President). Inset: M.K. Ibrahim on the cover of his book

*Amb. Brownson Dede - Book reviewer

*Ahmed Rufai Abubakar - DG National Intelligence Agency (NIA)

*Amb. Shinkaiye - President, Association of Retired Ambassadors in Nigeria (ARCAN)

*Gabriel Aduda - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

*Amb. Jibrin Chinade, MFR (Represented by daughter, Barr. Chinade)

*Amb. Ayewo  

Chapter 1 discusses his brief sojourn as an 'accidental banker' before he found his calling in the foreign service. Chapter 2 is about the beginning of his career, when he encountered teething problems of eating 'geisha' with bread for dinner often and living virtually in his car in Lagos because of accommodation problems! He describes the 'new dawn' in chapter 3 (1999 to date), with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs adjusting to the Presidential system of government. The Ministry trying to balance the needs of Legislators with what the Executive wants: The era of 'legislative diplomacy'.

Another area of concern is the high percentage of non-career diplomats deployed to foreign Missions - sometime they constitute over 60% of heads of Missions. This dampens the enthusiasm of career diplomats who might have been waiting for decades to become Ambassadors and get posted to foreign Missions...MK writes bluntly and frankly on every issue without being offensive.

MK also addresses the challenge of illegal immigrants in the diaspora. While in Gabon, he encountered many Nigerian illegal immigrants who were 'products' of the Nigerian civil war. He laments the fact that no Nigerian Mission can repatriate even five Nigerians. Poor funding makes this impossible. However, in Libya the government had to hurriedly repatriate at least 24,000 Nigerians!

MK also recorded humorous and painfully tragic events. Adiza, his daughter, died while MK was serving in Brussels. The more tragic detail is that the death was caused by a leaking gas pipe in his abode! This was definitely a fall-out of the inability to maintain government property at home and even abroad. These details are in pages 201-206 of the book.

About MK's sojourn in Libya. He believes that in-spite of all his faults, Mu'ammar Gaddafi was a hero. His disappointment towards the end of his life was how he was betrayed by African countries. On the whole, MK's frank memoir expounds the dream of a competent and professional foreign service officer/diplomat. So far ten such books have been written by retired diplomats. Many times during the event, those who had not written theirs were encouraged to do so. Congrats once more, MK...

                                              Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the event
  

MAKING GENDER A LIVING REALITY

 The title of this Blog post was the theme of the three-day training programme between the 1st and 3rd of March 2022. I was a valued member of faculty for this compact method of imparting knowledge to Security Officers in diverse Federal Government Agencies. The sessions were hosted by the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) in collaboration with Country Associates Network (CANET).

                            Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa: Facilitator @ the training/workshop

Some of the facilitators are:

*Hon. (Dr.) Asabe Vilita Bashir - DG NCWD

*Princess Jumai Idonije - SA Technical to Minister of Women Affairs/Former Director of Training, NCWD

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Conflict Transformation Strategist/Gender Specialist

*Mrs. Ebiyere Emezue - Director, Training & Development, NCWD

*Ms. Mimidoo Achakpa - Development Worker/IANSA Women's Network Nigeria

*Mrs. Mute Olori - Certified John Maxwell Coach

L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Princess Jumai Idonije (SA Technical to Minister of Women Affairs)

An array of topics was covered within three days:

*Mediation techniques for Security Officers

*Gaps in women's participation in the security sector

*Gender equality, Covid-19 & national development

*Is equal participation of the sexes in unpaid work an impossible dream?

*Active listening for effective communication

*Gaps in women's participation & representation in Small Arms & Light Weapons (SALWs)

*Elements of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act

*Result-based management

*Proposal writing

*Introduction to gender studies

*Flight of geese: Lessons for inclusive leadership

The high point of the training/workshop was the visit of the trainees to the Women's Hall of Fame within the premises of NCWD. There, some of them saw on display, probably for the very first time, the photographs of icons like Dr. (Mrs.) Maryam Babangida (Fmr. First Lady/Initiator of the 'Better Life for Rural Women Programme' -  BLFRW; Dr. (Mrs.) Dora Akinyili (Fmr. DG National Agency for Food & Drug Administration & Control - NAFDAC; Dame Virginia Etiaba (Fmr. Governor of Anambra State/First female Governor in Nigeria); etc. 

Event Banner showing DG NCWD, Hon (Dr) Asabe Vilita Bashir

Wow! The above was quite a lot to cover in three days! But we did it and the trainees were the better for it. The Security Officers now have certificates to show for their effort.

Congrats to NCWD and CANET...  

Related Links

*The hidden epidemic of brain injuries from domestic violence (DV)    nytimes.com

*The re-definition of masculinity is playing out in the fight between Zelensky (Ukraine) and Putin (Russia)    qz.com

*Women building a sustainable future: Fighting back the desert amid Niger's refugee & climate crisis    news.un.org

*Mentoring & teaching women with disabilities in Universities    timeshighereducaton.com

*Contextual learning: Linking learning to the real world    timeshighereducation.com

*Gender and peaceful masculinities: Religion & psycho-social support amid forced displacement    usip.org

*Google offers free tools that enable businesswomen to be seen online    grow.google

*Rebels, victims, peace-builders: Women in Cameroon's Anglophone conflict      crisisgroup.org

*Why women seem to have better Covid-19 outcomes than men: The answer is oestrogen    time.com

*Men twice as likely to be highly paid than women, new gender equality score card shows     womensagenda.com.au

*Gender-sensitive pedagogy for early childhood education (GRP4ECE)   https://lnkd.in/g9tvHzFt

*Betty White: Imagine living 99 years and an entire country collectively agreeing it wasn't long enough    https://lnkd.in/eqGyVJB3

*Maya Angelou becomes first black woman on a quarter (coin)    nytimes.com

*What dolphins reveal about the evolution of the clitoris    newscientist.com

*The state of burnout for women in the workplace    mckinsey.com

*Promoting women's political participation from quotas to parity    africa.unwomen.org

*Study says motherhood is equivalent to working 2.5 full-time jobs    https://lnkd.in/ghXnF8XR

*India's Cabinet approves raising minimum age of marriage of women from 18 to 21 years    independent.co.uk

*Gender equality is central to technology and democracy    foreignpolicy.com

*Applying a gender lens to Security Studies    iar_gwu.org

*Bhutan: Country where only women are allowed to own property    sunday.roast.media

*Nigeria's all female law firm hopes to make big changes in the legal system    bbc.co.uk

*Insecurity: Women important in peace-building processes    punchng.com

*Re-imagining women's space: Gender and power dynamics in African religion    link.springer.com

*Homicide is a leading cause of death in pregnant women: Black wome @ greatest risk    thelily.com

*Tanzania lifts ban on pregnant school girls: They can now return to school     thecitizen.co.tz

*Case studies on women and candidate selection in African liberal parties by Samson Itodo    facebook.com

*We need to stop gas-lighting women about money    fastcompany.com

*Gender inequality in children's entertainment    inews.co.uk

*Guideline spousal support and the female payer: Female payer cases often have an emotionality to them that can bring about larger gender issues    americanbar.org

*23 million females married as children in Nigeria    ait.com

*Elevating gender equality in Covid-19 economic recovery: The time to close the gender gap has increased to 135.6 years from 99.5 years    genderequalitycovid19recovery.com

*How to navigate the role of  'Accidental Mediator'    wearethecity.com

*What Mediators should know about Conflict Management Coaching    podbean.com

*Bias against women: A Constitution to guarantee equality and freedom    dailytrust.com

*Breaking the bias in candidate selection in African Political Parties by Samson Itodo    idea.int

*It's still a man's world: The 25 biggest European Banks by assets have seen 22 changes in CEO Chair over the past few years. 21 of these 22 jobs went to men    reut.rs/3MDiEKx

*Community workers break the odds to help survivors of GBV in DRC   unhcr.org

*Only 21% of government Ministers were female as of September 2021, with only 14 countries having 50% or more female Cabinet members. Assuming current trends persist, gender parity in Ministerial positions will not be realised until 2077, with an annual growth rate of only 0.52%    unwomen.org

*How women Parliamentarians enhance and advance gender equality and sustainable development    stories.undp.org