CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN
Service to humanity is one of the most important means of imprinting lasting and meaningful impact in the lives of people, especially the vulnerable in the society. Stemming from this principle, JDPC Abuja has fashioned its purpose around serving people and providing opportunities for the vulnerable to thrive in the society. Hence, our activities from the beginning of the year to this third quarter have been deliberately and strategically organized to reflect our values and our goal.
This quarter has challenged JDPC Abuja to address prevalent issues such as injustice, dehumanization, marginalization and economic hardships within our socioeconomic sphere. In response, JDPC Abuja has formed new partnerships/collaborations and strengthened existing relationships in the bid to effectively tackle these issues.
In incorporating a more inclusive and holistic approach to community service and integral development, we are most delighted to announce the partnership between JDPC Abuja and Christian Blind Mission (CBM) to implement a project aimed at providing services to persons with disabilities. This project is incredibly important to us as it greatly resonates with our mission of serving under-served and vulnerable groups in the society.
JDPC Abuja has also intensified her fight against trafficking in persons through the countering trafficking in persons (CTIP) interventions that we have been implementing. In this quarter, we have adopted more effective approaches towards CTIP, leveraged on new and existing partnerships, increased our capacity and we have essentially positioned ourselves within the context of our goals, to achieve positive change.
It has indeed been an exciting and eventful quarter, and we are elated to share our activities with you in this newsletter. Enjoy the read! God bless you.
BASICC Project
JDPC Abuja is delighted to announce the commencement of the Bold Action to Strengthen Inclusive Care in Communities (BASICC) project with funding support from the Christian Blind Mission (CBM).
The project's overall objective is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups through facilitation of community-based inclusive programs and interventions in the FCT. The BASICC project will positively impact the target groups to ensure they have access to inclusive basic health services and livelihood support in the long term. The project targets communities in Kutunku, Dagiri, and Phase 3 areas of Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.
Community Mapping and Resourcing
Under the BASICC project, a Community Mapping and Resourcing was conducted on 6th – 8th July in Kutunku, Dagiri and Phase 3 communities of Gwagwalada LGA. The activity was aimed at identifying community resources and existing structures including a Community Development Committee (CDC) and Organizations of Persons with Disability (OPDs) for collaboration to provide more inclusive participation and enhance the understanding of contextual issues that have shaped the communities. The community mapping process provided the opportunity to engage these communities and identify the possible pathways to the positive change that the project envisions.
Collaboration With Health Commission
JDPC Abuja upholds an integral approach to social interventions and as such, was delighted to collaborate with the Health Commission through the Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners, to conduct a medical outreach to the indigent communities of Mpape and Gishiri on 2nd July and 17th July, 2023 respectively. The outreach included a variety of medical tests such as blood tests, eye tests etc. and provided an opportunity for members of the communities to receive free medical counsel for a healthier lifestyle.
Partnership With CAFOD
JDPC Abuja is excited to be part of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) strategy launch. This strategic plan will guide CAFOD and her partners to integrate CAFOD's thematic areas in project implementation for the next five years. CAFOD's thematic areas cut across; Good Governance, Peace, Justice, Agroecology, Climate change, Livelihood, Gender Justice, Emergency response, Preparedness and Protection. JDPC Abuja shares the same vision with CAFOD and would always work for the Common Good of all humanity.
Pause and Reflect Meeting
On the 18th of July 2023, JDPC Abuja organized a virtual Pause and Reflect Meeting for Justice Development and Peace (JDP) Committee Coordinators. The purpose of the meeting was to review and assess the impact of the work of JDPC at both the Commission and Committee levels. The meeting provided an opportunity for a refresher of all the activities of JDPC Abuja in 2023, including the active participation in the 2023 general elections, the Lenten Campaign, the Raffle Draw, activities pertaining to countering trafficking in persons (CTIP) and other activities implemented by JDPC. The JDP Committee coordinators also shared the progress of their work at the Parish levels.
The meeting was a learning session that provided JDPC Abuja with the opportunity to deepen the collaboration among the JDPs in the different parishes and to also align their work for collective impact.
Quarterly Cluster Coaching/Learning Session
The Action Against Trafficking in Persons (AATiP) Cluster anchored by JDPC Abuja, had its quarterly cluster coaching and learning session on the 25th -26th of July 2023. The coaching session was an opportunity for the cluster members to appraise the progress of their advocacy engagements, identify new opportunities and prevailing challenges impeding the cluster’s work and brainstorm on projected plans. The session resulted in the adoption of more effective strategies and approaches to achieving the cluster’s objectives for improved results.
The learning session was a convergence of cluster members and representatives from the Private Sector and it aimed at identifying and highlighting the crucial role of the Private Sector in the fight against trafficking in persons. The conversations and engagements yielded insightful and practical suggestions that would greatly enhance the cluster’s work on countering trafficking in persons.
Award of Recognition
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) celebrated her 20th Anniversary on the 27th of July, 2023. It was a ceremony that marked the agency’s rewarding journey of protecting the human rights and dignity of the vulnerable by fighting the inhumane crime of trafficking in persons.
As part of the proceedings of the ceremony, NAPTIP recognized the significant contributions of the JDPC Abuja in the fight against trafficking in persons and thus, presented JDPC Abuja with an Award of Recognition. The award was a reminder of the significance of the work of JDPC Abuja and other cluster organizations in the fight against trafficking in persons.
Thanksgiving Mass
A Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria, Pro-Cathedral on the 30th of July, as part of the activities to commemorate NAPTIP’s 20th Anniversary. The Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, His Grace, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama. The Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi and other NAPTIP officials were in attendance. In solidarity and support, the staff members of JDPC Abuja alongside the AATiP cluster members, were also in attendance.
In his address at the thanksgiving mass, the Archbishop commended the partnership between JDPC Abuja and NAPTIP and he also called for a mass support for NAPTIP as they continued their noble cause of fighting trafficking in persons.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons Rally
JDPC Abuja and other members of the AATiP Cluster, joined NAPTIP to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons by participating in the Rally organized to mark the event on the 31st of July, 2023.
Despite its globally pervasive nature, the menace of trafficking in persons is still relatively shrouded in mystery, thereby luring several unsuspecting victims within its lair. The Rally was instrumental in demystifying the tactics and dynamics in TIP and ultimately raising awareness on TIP issues.
Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS)
The Africa Social Impact Summit was a strategic event organized by the Sterling One Foundation, with support from other key partners. The summit took place on the 10th and 11th of August 2023, and it provided a platform for the convergence of key stakeholders from the social development sector to address the projected alarming rise in poverty in Africa.
Alongside other stakeholders, JDPC Abuja participated in the conversations aimed at providing practical and sustainable solution towards tackling this challenge.
Advocacy Visit
The BASICC project team paid a courtesy visit to the Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Desk officer at the FCT Social Development Secretariat Abuja, on the 3rd of August 2023. The purpose of the visit was to solicit for support in the SGBV component of the BASICC project with regards to the selection and engagement of SGBV volunteers, request for participation and swift response to referrals that will be made with respect to SGBV cases in the communities and to mobilize support and participation in the project’s activities.
The advocacy engagement was successful and the Secretariat pledged their full support and commitment towards achieving the objectives of the project.
Hostile Environment and Awareness Training
The BASICC project team participated in the Hostile Environment and Awareness Training (HEAT) in Makurdi, Benue State from 7th to 11th August 2023.
The objective of the training was to increase and improve the capacity of partner organizations in security and safeguarding. Alongside JDPC, other organizations such as Centre for Gospel Health and Development (CEGHaD), Heart of Hope, and ELIM were also in attendance. The training was very insightful and delivered important information on personal security, organizational security, first aid, security and safeguarding policies, awareness, among others.
Community Based Inclusive Development Training
The project team under the BASICC project organized a Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) training which spanned from the 9th – 11th August 2023. The training was geared towards introducing participants to the fundamentals of CBID approach and included sessions on understanding the different kinds of disabilities, disability rights, disability models, core principles, inclusion barriers, connections between health and general disabilities, community active case finding, and referral pathways to healthcare among persons with disabilities in the project communities. The training pooled together the target participants, ranging from community health workers, volunteers, social welfare department representatives, and representatives of local OPDs (JONAPWD). The overarching goal of the training was to empower participants with the CBID model and to actively assist other community members and organizations in collectively raising community awareness and sensitization on the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.
Advocacy Visits
On the 30th of August 2023, the BASICC project team conducted a follow-up visit to different stakeholders such as the HOD Health Department, Gwagawalada LGA, Officer in Charge, Primary Health Care center Kutunku, Officer in Charge, Primary Health Care center Dagiri, Officer in Charge, Primary Health Care Phase 3 Central, JONAPWD Gwagwalada Area Council and the Social Welfare Department in Gwagwalada LGA.
The follow-up visit aimed at sustaining and strengthening the partnerships which were formed with the stakeholders during the CBID training. Essentially, the advocacy visits provided the stakeholders with the platform to re-affirm their commitment and also share feedback on the training.
Advocacy Engagement Visit to DG of NAPTIP
The AATiP Cluster paid an advocacy visit to the DG of NAPTIP on the 8th of September, 2023. To further align with the work of NAPTIP in fighting TIP, the purpose of the cluster’s meeting was to brief the DG on the progress of the cluster’s ongoing advocacy drive and to chart a way forward towards the early intervention in the budget preparation for the improved funding of NAPTIP.
Tree Planting/Growing Campaign Flag-Off
As an initiative of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, under the leadership of the Archbishop His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigma, the tree planting/growing campaign flag-off ceremony was organized by JDPC Abuja on the 25th of August, 2023 with funding from CAFOD. The campaign was a drive to encourage the culture of tree planting as a way of protecting the environment against the depleting effects of climate change.
The campaign was championed by the Archbishop and garnered the presence and support of key stakeholders and partners like; CRS, CAFOD, CCFN, and the Federal Ministry of environment who are activists in the campaign for the protection of the environment. The Archbishop encouraged all and sundry to take it as a personal responsible to preserve the earth by planting trees within their parishes, schools and homes. One of the major highlights of the event was the commitment from CRS to support the Archdiocese with 10,000 economic tree seedlings.
Training of Journalists
For effective reportage of the issues of TIP, the AATiP cluster anchored by JDPC Abuja, organized a 3-day training for 45 journalists across different media firms within the FCT. The training was effectively handled by NAPTIP media team and other experts who adequately equipped the journalists with the skill-set of reporting issues on TIP to counter the menace and increase awareness on TIP. The training ultimately increased the reporting capacity of the journalists and strengthened the cluster’s alliances and partnerships with the media for improved coverage of the cluster’s work on CTIP.
Biannual Countering Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Policy Dialogue Forum with Private and Public Sectors
The success of the fight against TIP largely depends on a systemized and collaborative approach, where different sectors and stakeholders must leverage on one another’s resources and intelligence. In understanding the power of collaboration and partnership, the AATiP Cluster organized the second phase of its biannual policy dialogue forum with the private and public sector on the 19th of September, 2023. The conversations that ensued from the dialogue session produced strategic, practical and meaningful approaches to the cluster’s objectives and sufficiently aided in charting the roadmap for the achievement of the cluster’s goals.
International Day of Peace
The promotion of peace and justice are the core mandate of JDPC Abuja and the 2023 International Day of Peace was an opportunity for the Commission to further project these values. JDPC Abuja joined the world to celebrate the International Day of Peace on the 21st of September, 2023. The theme was Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals.
To commemorate the celebration, JDPC Abuja organized a free virtual Talk Session and invited an expert in Peace and Conflict Resolution to give an elaborate lecture on the dynamics of promoting peace and resolving conflict in the workplace. The talk session was greatly enlightening and provided the participants with the opportunity to acquire practicable knowledge on conflict resolution in the work place and proffered solutions to the challenges that resonated with them in the workplace.
