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KIND Implimenting Project for Enhancement of Cassava Processing in Yewa North Local Government Area in Ogun State

09.15.17

KIND-Japanese Cassava Processing factory project in Yewa North Local Government Area in Ogun State.

In 2017 KINDs objective was to help the rural women of Owode-ketu community to improve on the processing of their cassava produce by empowering them with modern machineries for processing of cassava into fine and sand-free gari produce across the cassava to gari spectrum of the value chain. In preparation of this project, the organization’s staff has met with the women resident farmers in the community who described their urgent need for cassava processing machines to meet market demand, to achieve high quality production/processing and improve their labor productivity.

This Project involves mainly the small-scale cassava farmers to improve on their postharvest farm handling which is mainly of the women section of making gari. There is lack of Gari (cassava) processing machinery in Owode-Ketu in Yewa north local government area. The project is related to procurement of cassava machineries for high quality and large quantity gari to enhance the contribution of cassava production and processing technologies to sustainable improvement in terms of food security in Ogun State, income and livelihood of the women farmers of Owode-ketu community across the cassava sector markers and processors.

FUNDRAISING FOR THE PROJECT TO INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION AND WOMEM FARMERS’ INCOME THROUGH IMPROVED CASSAVA FARMING AND PROCESSING IN OGUN STATE

The Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in Lagos State whose mission is to strengthen organizations and create initiatives dedicated to the advancement of women and girls in Nigeria. KIND was founded in 1996 and our target community is primarily women, a vast majority of who are between the ages of 13 – 60 years of age. KIND’s long term objectives are to foster a public environment that enables women’s public participation and also build and promote a community of women and girls with a service orientation to leadership.

KIND has worked extensively on various projects in Ogun State amongst which are:

A Community Engagement and Public Participation Project titled Bridging the Gap between governance and citizens. The project was funded by the Social Development of Civil Society Fund of the World Bank.
The construction of a block of 6 classrooms with 4 toilets, 2 project signboard, 150 set of desks and benches for pupils and 7 tables and 8 chairs for teachers for LGEA primary school at Imoro Ogijo in Shagamu local Government area in Ogun State. The project was executed with support from Japanese Embassy and the Adebutu Foundation in 2016.

KIND’s CURRENT MISSION IN OGUN STATE

KIND seeks to improve the cassava production of the small-scale women farmers in Ogun State by empowering them with modern types of machinery for processing of cassava products across the entire value chain and to reduce post-harvest losses by linking small holder farmers to the processing centre.

To achieve this, in 2017, KIND obtained a N23.8 million grant from the Japanese Embassy in Nigeria and embarked on the construction of cassava processing factory in Aiyetoro Local Government Area. The factory is sited in Erinpa village. It has the capacity to produce 50 bags of processed gari in a day and the by-products could be used for fufu flour and animal feed. While the profit expected is solely for the benefit of women farmers to improve their general finances and create for them an endowment.

Pamela-Braide-a-director-of-KIND-receiving-the-Project-Contract-from-Head-of-Japanese-Embassy.

Picture-taken-on-at-the-signing-ceremony.

KIND-Head-of-operations-addressing-the-meeting.

Erinpa Owode-Ketu Women Association at the meeting

Meeting after the signing ceremony to inform the Yewa North LGA of the starting of the project.

ODA signboard

Foundation construction

Front view of the building

Back view of the Building and septic tank

Vibrating sifter machine

Garri presser machine.

Cassava stainless grating machine.

Gari Frying machine

KIND marches with the Movement Against Corruption in Lagos (photos)

09.05.17

At the press conference held at the KIND office by the Movement Against Corruption (MAC) it was explained that it is a coalition of over 35 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Activists in Nigeria, established with a clear mandate to develop and execute practical strategies geared towards the prevention and eradication of all forms of corrupt practices and abuse of power, in both the public and private sectors of our country.

In achieving this patriotic objective, the MAC is determined to sensitize Nigerians on the immediate need to possess ownership of the war against corruption in the country, by getting involved in its advocacy, and educate each other on the cancerous effect of corruption on our polity.

In actualizing our ambition of leading this crusade against corruption in our country, we have resolved to reject any form of policy or legislation from any tier or arm of the government, aimed at encouraging acts of corruption, particularly those designed to shield corrupt elements, and giving amnesty to those indicted for corrupt practices.

We are also determined to mobilise Nigerians to demand judicial accountability by campaigning against the increasingly slow pace of action of the judiciary in the prosecution of corruption related cases, across various courts in Nigeria.

MAC, as part of its effort, shall encourage the sponsorship of legislations that will strengthen the various anti-corruption agencies in the country, while also rejecting any attempt, particularly from the National Assembly, at foot-dragging in making legislations aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption. We shall be giving specifics on these legislative manoeuvres subsequently.

We therefore wish to state, that as child of necessity, MAC will galvanise the Nigerian people towards an efficient anti-corruption campaign through rallies, protests, sensitisation, workshops and other forms of civic and democratic engagement.

This Movement is birthed in response to the imperative for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Nigerian people, to have a common, formidable and organised platform through which they can frontally confront the cancer of corruption which has bedevilled Nigeria for decades.

We hereby want to intimate the general public that as

part of our action plans, we shall be holding a march against corruption with the theme ‘’RED CARD AGAINST CORRUPTION’’ on the 30th day of August ,2017 in Lagos and Abuja. And today, marks the beginning of our 10day- countdown, to this historic march against corruption in our country.The countdown period shall be used to sensitize Nigerians ahead of the scheduled August 30th date, of the rallies in Lagos and Abuja.

The Lagos rally shall take-off from Ikeja under bridge by 7.30am while that of Abuja shall take – off from Unity Fountain simultaneously. This shall be followed by similar marches across cities in the country, at later dates, to be announced soon by MAC.

Below are pictures from the march:

KIND Nigeria joins EFCC on March Against Corruption (MAC)

08.17.17

KIND Nigeria has teamed up with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a programme called the March against Corruption (MAC)

OBJECTIVES

To sensitize Nigerians, on the need to claim ownership of the War against corruption in the country, by getting Involved in the advocacy.

To reject any form of Legislation aimed at giving amnesty to those indicted for corruption.

To protest slow pace of action of the judiciary in corruption related cases.

To Reject the National Assembly foot-dragging in passing bills aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption.

To put an immediate stop to the phenomenon of double pension enjoyed by Ex. Governor and other public officers.

Demand the publication of names of those who have been indicted including record of their loots.

A declaration of support for all anti-corruption agencies.

ACTION PLAN

A vigorous launch of the Red Flag Campaign on Social Media including: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter Snapchat, tumblr, blogger, foursquare, Linkedin, etc.

Press Conference

A Press Conference to announce to the general public details and Programmes involved in the March against corruption and to use the Press Conference as a medium to reach out to Nigerians and mobilize them in their Tens and Thousands.

TIME TABLE FOR PROPOSED ACTION

MONDAY, AUGUST 7
Social Media Launch

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8
Press Conference to unveil group’s identity and programs.

THURSDAY AUGUST 10,
Mass Movement Against Corruption in Lagos, to terminate at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Media Appearances including: TV bulletin programmes and Radio Talk shows

This will serve as an avenue of reaching out, to a wider section of Nigerians, particularly the religious organizations.

SATURDAY AUGUST 12
Media Boost / Review of Action

PROGRAMME CHECKLIST
Meetings
Media Mobilization
Social Media Team
Transport
T-Shirts, Flags
Placards
Public Address System
Prints (Flags, Bandana, Handbills, T-Shirts, Backdrops, Roll Up Banners, Posters).

Join us on Twitter to march against corruption.

Vital Voices Network: 5 funding and grant opportunities for 2017

08.17.17

Vital Voices recently announced 3 huge funding and grant opportunities. Here they are:

(1) Investing in Your Big Idea: We encourage women who want to take on a bold new project, launch a new initiative, want to grow their impact or their own personal leadership, or have a collaboration idea with a fellow VV100 Member, to apply.

Vital Voices and Johnson & Johnson will work with ten VV100 women leaders who will receive intensive, individualized support; the most prominent element being year-long mentorship from senior Johnson & Johnson executives, as well as access to Johnson & Johnson company expertise.

PLEASE NOTE, you can already have begun doing this work but need further support. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO START A NEW PROJECT. This program will take place in November, 2017 in New York/New Jersey. For more details about the program please follow this link. Applications are due no later than AUGUST 31^st.

(2) Crowdsourced Capacity Building/Skills Based Training: We will convene 10-15 VV100 women leaders for a capacity building and networking program from October 8^th – 12^th in Brazil.

Network members interested in participating are asked to submit a proposal outlining the purpose and theme of the gathering in collaboration with AT LEAST ONE other network member.

We encourage you to be creative. Do you want skills based training in a particular area, do you want to build a cohort within VV100 around a specific issue are area or region?

We want your ideas and we want you to collaborate! PLEASE NOTE, this application is NOT intensive. We are looking for proposals that outline an idea or a concept.

You DO NOT need to create an entire program, agenda or curriculum. Johnson & Johnson will work closely with Vital Voices to engage experts at every level of the company from across the globe to provide expertise and support. For more details about the program please follow this link. Applications are due no later than AUGUST 31^st.

(3) Partner on a Proposal to NoVo Foundation: The NoVo Foundation has announced The Radical Hope Fund, an opportunity to fund creative ideas to solve critical challenges around injustice and systems breakdowns, with a focus on women and girls, and other marginalized communities.

Vital Voices will be submitting a proposal to build programming to support VV100 and the Global Leadership Network. We would love to do this WITH you!

If you have an idea for a project or initiative in your community with which you could partner with Vital Voices and/or the Network, please send it to us.

We obviously cannot promise that we can include everything but we will try our hardest to create broad categories of support to include as many as possible. Please see below for a list of areas of focus from NoVo Foundation.

· Bringing communities together for cross-issue, cross-sectoral organizing that centers feminist leadership, including but not limited to policy advocacy campaigns

· Global solidarity and transnational movement-building connecting issues and movements that are aligned in their purpose and vision

· Leveraging the power of media, culture, and the arts to engage in storytelling and share ideas, moving hearts and minds for change, including creating new strategic platforms and collaboration between artists/culture-makers and movement organizations

· Seeding experiments in building new structures and systems to propel us into a world that is oriented around interdependence, mutuality, and love rather than domination and extraction, with an emphasis on cultivating local, community-driven solutions

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR IDEA TO VITAL VOICES BY SEPTEMBER 4^th. Please submit answers to the following questions to LaurenWollack@vitalvoices.org.

Please keep in mind the overall application is meant to be a concept note. We want your big idea and the concept for execution.

You do NOT need to submit a long, detailed proposal to VV. Each of your answers can be up to 200 words long.

· Name, country, organization you would use to implement project

· Executive summary of your idea

· Goals and intended outcomes

· What challenges currently exist that makes this critical:

· How long the project/initiative would last (up to 5 years)

· General milestones

· How VV and/or the Network would be involved and support.

· Budget (broken down by year)

(4) Network Leadership: Vital Voices will send applications to become a leader of the Global Leadership Network to represent issue areas, regions, technical Network needs and more. These leaders will be tasked with identifying needs, engaging the Global Leadership Network, strategizing with Vital Voices and more. In Spring/Summer, 2018, we will gather these Network Leaders to strategize the future of the VV Network. MORE TO COME SOON.

(5) Ongoing Individual Support: Beyond the above programs, we will also offer individual support to each of you throughout the year. Each of you will be assigned a POC who will connect you to opportunities that advance your top goals for the next year. A member of the ISI team will reach out to you soon to discuss next steps around providing individual support. We are currently working with Johnson & Johnson to create opportunities for VV100 to seek needs-based support for personal and/or professional growth, organizational capacity and technical support. Johnson & Johnson is a global company with over 100,000 employees. They have expertise in every region of the world across sectors and industries. We are thrilled that they are opening up the company and all it has to offer to you as a core component of their employee engagement strategy.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Vital Voices

KIND Youth beneficiaries march with WARDC and Purple Nigeria on IWD 2017

06.22.17

Beneficiaries of KIND leadership programmes in universities and polytechnics around Lagos joined Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and Purple Nigeria on a road walk for the International Women’s Day, March 8, 2017.

They marched from Ikeja Under Bridge to Lagos State Government House to discuss issues of concern affecting women in the state in commemoration of International Women’s Day but were disappointed when Governor Akinwumi Ambode did not meet with them.

March 8 of every year was set aside by the United Nations (UN) as international women’s day, to celebrate achievements of women all over the world. It is also a day to draw global attention to issue of rights of women.

At Alausa, the seat of power in Lagos, the women were stopped at the gate leading to the governor’s office by security operatives and, after waiting for an hour, marched to the House of Assembly to see Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

Below are some pictures:

KIND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME IN UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS

06.22.17

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME IN UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS

In partnership with the UK Department for International Development (DFID) through Voices for Change (now Purple) KIND was able to improve the Leadership, Decision making and Life-Skills competencies of adolescent boys and girls between the ages of 16 – 25 in University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH).

We employed the use of interactive virtual and physical platforms, referred to as ‘safe spaces’ in the school training. Over 450 young people have benefited from the leadership development programme in both schools and we are still in the process of training more.

PICTURE OF THE TRAINED STUDENTS:

Students on the programme’s impact

Buki Temitope, one trained female student said ‘The training has helped me to develop my leadership skill and made me more assertive’

Oyewunmi Waliu, one of the trained boys said ‘The training made me understand the true meaning of Gender and gender equality and also know how to convince my colleagues not to practice violence against women’