SDGs_My Values, Your Values, Our Values Count!

Our Value System can impede the attainment of the SDGs 

     

A personal value influences the family value and as the unit of the communities where we come from the family values sway the communal values. This in turn has a linkage with the state and national values but where a nation’s values are not in sync with its peoples’ then that nation is in a deep valley of perpetual underdevelopment.

How does this apply? You may ask.

To start with let‘s get a clear understanding of the SDGs. 

The SDGs means the sustainable development goals, a set of global aspirations for transforming our world.  It is made up of 17 goals put together by the United Nations with global consultations with civil societies and adopted by member states for the alleviation of poverty for the poorest of the poor; reduce gender inequalities and promote environmental justice among others. While we understand goals as what we want to achieve, sustainable development can be defined as the ability of the present generation to meet their need without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their need.

To understand how our values relate to development, we must first of all know what a value is.

A value is a principle or standard of behavior, they are important because they affect our perceptions and attitude to issues including development concerns. What is our standard of behavior as Africans and as Nigerians? While we have a few who may be excused as being upright and not corrupt in their outlook in life due to their religious orientation, a majority of citizens have imbibed the culture of corruption, moral decadence, quick money syndrome among others.

As Nigerians/Africans we need to do a value assessment and tell ourselves some home truths.

Value Checking…..

1.  Accountability - How often do you face your responsibilities and can be held responsible for your actions?

2.  Obedience- How often do you follow direction or obey the law?

3. Power- How often do you crave power and become super villains? That’s not the best use of power

4. Reputation- Some of us no longer protect and uphold our reputation as long as we have money no matter how it is earned.

5.  Diversity- How have you learnt from those who differ from you in culture, race, or beliefs and tried to exposure yourself to accommodate those diverse experiences and perceptions?

6. Objectivity- How logical are you without letting personal emotions influence your views to? life or how we treat others?

7. Collaboration- Difficult tasks are easiest to accomplish when you work with others.

8. Professionalism- Acting professionally can help you be more polite, courteous, and dependable… isn’t it worth it?

9. Experience- How often do you value experience and see it as an opportunity for growth?

10. Politeness- What first impressions do you make? as politeness is often overlooked.

11. Education- According to Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Do you know of a girl child out of school and as a policy maker close your eyes to this reality?

12. Sincerity: How often have you spoken your mind and acted on it especially when it concerns the good of others?

13. Justice- How often have you strived for liberty and fairness and deal compassionately with others?

14. Punctuality- How often do you practice the African time? It makes you undependable.

15. Community- How often have you given back to the place that made you who you are?

16. Creativity- How often do you think outside the box or challenge the normal way of doing things to solve development problems

17. Consideration- How often do you treat others with consideration and respect?

Values listed above culled from- https://www.mantelligence.com/how-to-define-your-list-of-personal-values/

"A personal value influences the family value and as the unit of the communities where we come from the family values sway the communal values. This in turn has a linkage with the state and national values but where a nation’s values are not in sync with its peoples’ then that nation is in a deep valley of perpetual underdevelopment."

According to Collins online dictionary, “The value system of a group of people is the set of beliefs and attitudes that they all share” Our individual attitude and behavior are collectively reflected in the ways we view our community and country as a whole. Whether we are security agencies, community leaders, students, lecturers, parents, guardians, government representatives and religious leaders; where we lack a certain personal value such as integrity we are far from being sincere and honest, we cannot give what we don’t have.

Relating this to development,

· If we lack integrity and honesty then we display traits of corruption,

·    If we lack compassion, truth and fairness, injustice thrives even at law enforcement processes

·   If we lack sincerity, accountability, objectivity, diversity and abuse power our democracy is a sham

·  If we as a people disregard obedience and respect for the law we cannot have an orderly society; we need

   orderliness and proper organizing for development to 

   thrive

Development thrives in a society blessed with the values of sincerity, compassion, integrity, obedience, discipline, and this is the root of patriotism…funny… we have nowhere else to call homeland.

Now to the SDGs, in considering some few goals such as “No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well Being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Climate Action, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions etc” let’s create a linkage with values and the attainment of the SDGs. If our leaders have good personal values namely- honesty, integrity, discipline, compassion…, such translate to influence service delivery to the masses. Good service delivery opens up accessibility to basic amenities, social services and good infrastructure for the benefit of the masses. Where our leaders exhibit poor values, the masses experience poor service delivery and suffer gross deprivation. Leaders being corrupt and inconsiderate to the plight of the masses affect the development of legislations and policies that drive the attainment of the SDGs. Personal values that promote corruption in leaders, and followers who connive to prevent the accurate implementation/distribution of poverty alleviation strategies, agricultural subsidies and grants for genuine farmers, women’s economic empowerment opportunities that promote small and medium scale enterprises, quality education under the Universal Basic Education Scheme, stable electric power supply to facilitate industries, needed health care and medical supplies to save the lives of the poor and vulnerable, etc. In whatever way, these services are required for the attainment of the SDGs and the well-being of mankind.

Think of your personal value and how these collectively affect your family, community and nation. 

Individually it may seem inconsequential but collectively it forms the social fabric upon which the nation is knitted. Whatever national values we have on paper is meaningless and dumb where our action says otherwise.

The SDGs are breakthrough road-map to transform our world if we are sincere about them,  making them REAL is everyone’s responsibility. 

Women are GIRLs. GIRLs will do better in Politics (GIRL- Great, Innovative, Resourceful, Leader)

Nigeria is Seriously Struggling with Affirmative Action. 

Can Nigeria achieve the SDG 5- Gender Equality? 

According to Farida Jalazi, “when dealing with women round the world, an essential topic to consider is politics.  Specifically, how well do political institutions represent women and what conditions promotes or inhibits women’s political representation?  […]  Exclusion from politics has serious consequences and without female representation, women’s second hand status remains unchanged and it is through engagement in the political system that women’s voices can be heard to enable their interest not minimized in important policy debates.”

It is 2017. The call for gender affirmative action is more than 6 decades and 4 years old in Nigeria!

Nigerian women’s human rights groups, individuals, and female political activists have since the imperialist era struggled for the advancement and protection of women’s human rights in the country.  

Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti

Margaret Ekpo 

Hajiya Sawaba Gambo

The participation of Nigerian women in politics pre-exists British Imperialism, with female socio-political heroines openly confronting gender discriminatory issues despite the dominating patriarchal orientation in the political space. Time and circumstances differ and it is may seem unfair to compare the beneficial effect between the past and present collective efforts of women, yet; the bottom-line remains that the poor use of affirmative action policy coupled with the the non-inclusion of women with conviction and commitment in the political administration, will remain the bane of our existence in the quest for equality.

It is commendable the Nigeria government’s attempts to breathe life into the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 1995 through the affirmative action policy for women’s political participation, (The National Policy on Women,2000) however; the realization of the goals of this affirmative action remains skeptical. 

Since 1999, a number of Nigerian women have occupied both elective and appointed political position. In 2013 specifically, the ministerial appointments for women was 31%, female permanent secretaries  25%, and female advisers 38% respectively as a practical attempt in breathing life into the 35% affirmative action.  2015 present a clear departure from the progressive realization of political affirmative actions with less than 10% of women in active political activities.(Ngara, Ochanam & Ayabam 2013)

A similar outlook of challenges and hindrances militate against women in politics and political activities in Nigeria. As a deeply rooted patriarchal oriented nation, women’s political quest for elective positions seem an anomaly except for political appointments. Although the trend is changing with few women struggling to dominate the political space, the situation at hand need concerted efforts. Presently, Delta is a clear indication of female political marginalization with 5 of 29 members of the State House of Assembly, 3 of 25 local government chairpersons and 2 of 24 ministerial appointment representing women.

From the problem analysis on hindrances to female political participation in Delta State a plethora of hurdles need to be addressed, namely-

•  Male chauvinism and traditions arising from patriarchy,
• Poor political will from government,
• Broad based gender discrimination and norms,
• Misrepresentation of religious texts,
•  Varying levels of illiteracy for women and girls,
• Inadequate political knowledge and leadership experience,
• Poor political craftsmanship,
• Uncoordinated political platform for collective engagement by women,
• Lack of female political mentor-ship among others.

The negative impacts of the above-listed are manifested in continuous gender based/domestic violence, low representation in political space at all levels, inadequate distribution of resources, absence of gender sensitive laws for the protection of women/girls and subtle accumulated grievances and potential basis for conflicts.

The view of a renowned Nigerian journalist is striking! He queried, “Where are the female political aspirants?” (Reuben Agbati, 2009) It is compelling at this stage to ask, where are the leadership qualities displayed by our past female political leaders?  What was the role of affirmative action in getting them into the political arena?  Why do we now in the face of numerous human rights treaties, legislation and policies find it hard to make meaningful changes for women’s human rights advancement?  What happens without political will?  What is the effect of a token presence of less than 30% affirmative action to the realization of women’s and girls human rights? 

While the collective efforts in advocacy and women organizing have demonstrated that women’s rights are human rights in the patriarchal society like Nigeria, women attaining equality still lies in the offing.  In examining the efforts by women in correlation to the low value placed on women’s advancement, the need to re-strategize politically becomes mandatory. (Nima Ema Mba, 1982)

Although Nigeria has human rights obligation towards the affirmative action policy, political discrimination and abuse of women rights will persist unless a functional state specific approach is considered towards the realization of political equality.  The logic lies in creating a level playing field for women’s political participation, through a concerted efforts with critical stakeholders working collectively on a coordination mechanism in the different states.

In resolving some of these anomalies, women, political parties and development funding agencies can develop strategies which  support efforts on promoting the political participation of women in Nigeria. We have to close the gender gaps in politic and political activities and ensure the negative impact of women’s political marginalization is reduced. In attaining this we call on the donor agencies,  female political leaders and aspirants and progressive political parties to consider the following respective recommendations.

A.   The International Funding Agencies

The international funding agencies play an important role in providing financial and technical assistance for the advancement of women’s human rights in the country. As a result they have a stake in ensuring that their investment in women’s human rights through the functions of the civil society and non-governmental organization is impactful. Below are some helpful tips for the international funding agencies:

•   Undertake a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of project executed for the political empowerment of women
•  Work with the civil society to identify criteria for the selection of reliable and competent female aspirant to participation in the political process
• ·The funding provided for technical support and capacity building should embrace a holistic approach not just a one off pre-election training.
• Encourage women’s human rights activists to adopt a collective agenda that will be a social quasi-contract between women and political parties and their elected representatives

B.   Female Political Leaders and Aspirants

The female political aspirants are considered the potential mouth piece for women in the deliberation of national legislation and policies. In the absence of the civil society, they assume the roles of representatives of women and must ensure that governmental actions at the three tiers must not compromise the advancement or development of women. They are the hope of women in legislating and deciding about the concerns, needs and aspiration of women. The existing constrains at the political fronts are discouraging. However, the zeal for equality becomes the watchword to swing to persistent action.    Below are some helpful tips for female political leaders and aspirant:    

• Build personal confidence and self esteems as leaders
• Become involved with women’s human rights issues and get familiar with the women’s human rights laws such as CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol under international law.
•  Learn from the past female political role models and become role model for emerging and young female leaders
•  Be willing to work with experts on women’s human rights and adopt an agenda to work on behalf of women
• Leaders are reader as a result read to broaden perspective to be empowered for constructive dialogue and deliberation during decision making

C.   The Political Parties in Nigeria

The role of women in nation building cannot be over emphasized. As a result the political parties as the gatekeepers into politics are in the best position to ensure we have a balanced national development. In addition to this, resolving the challenges of women’s political exclusion by identifying competent women and including them in government and decision-making will make the country more governable. Below are some helpful tips for political parties in Nigeria:

• Amend party constitution to be gender responsive and give more recognition to women
• Eliminate discriminatory party politics to present a fair level playing field for women
• Decisions derived from nocturnal meeting should be considered null and devoid and of no effect
•  Give a strong political backing to affirmative active action for women’s political inclusion such as party quotas
• Eliminating the use of labeling against women and giving them more visibility and constructive roles in the party affairs

Excluding women from political participation in Nigeria is a denial of justice.

Justice denied for one day is bad enough......

Culled from:

 “Turning the Tide on Women’s Political Exclusion”-Can Affirmative Action Deliver? MAKING A CASE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF EQUALITY IN NIGERIA” by Monica Voke-Ighorodje, May 2010

Assaulting the Niger Delta Environment

We Get Back What We Give to the Environment!!!!!!

Our beloved Niger Delta

The Niger Delta environment has been vastly degraded by oil exploration by multinational oil companies. A really worrisome development I must confess but sad still, is the contribution of the local people in destroying their environment through oil pipeline vandalism, illegal refinery, oil theft and oil-bunkery.

illegal refinery in operation

scooping of crude oil from vandalized pipeline

According to research, 400,000 liters of crude oil is stolen everyday in Nigeria with 75% of these crude sold to international oil syndicates and 25% locally refined. The local people involved in these economic sabotage earn quick monies at the expense of the Niger Delta environment.

According to the Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, we can have a PLAN B but we can never have a PLANET B.

The environment....a shadow of it former self

The Niger Delta is the 3rd largest mangrove in the world, the largest Delta in Africa and the richest wetland in terms of biodiversity.

We have it all.....biological diversity

Let's preserve the Niger Delta and not compromise the ability of our children, children's children... to meet their own needs.

We must embrace sustainable livelihood and help preserve the environment for the next generation. Inter-generational equity counts.

SDGs and the GIRLs........

The SDGs and the GIRLs fancy words  you may say and its indeed fancy for sure BUT ....only "GIRLs" including girls can transform our world through personalizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Who is a GIRL? We are all potential GIRLs if we resolve to be great, innovative and resourceful in our approach to leadership.

Are women GIRLs? Yes, they are but currently we are yet to attain the 35% affirmative action for women in politics.

Members of CREHOP Consortium, a group of 6 Not- -for profit organization conducted a problem analysis on women's political participation in Warri, Delta- Nigeria.

 

To promote gender equality under SDG 5, a group of 6 think-tanks met to discuss the challenges and unseen hindrances women face in political settings. Some of the challenges include low self esteem, misrepresentation of religious texts and lack of political will among others. In proffering solutions,  women and girls are advised to be in the drivers seat in creating the needed disruption for sustainable changes in knowledge, attitude, behavior and contexts that impedes political empowerment of women.

We have a situation at hand and the time to ACT is NOW. Be a GIRL today.
Join the "Be a GIRL" Campaign.
Popularize the SDGs and Be a GIRL.
Take up an agenda from the Global goals and breathe life into it.

With love from
SDGs and You

Be a G.I.R.L Campaign!!!!!!

I am a GIRL, are you?

Being a GIRL means one is great, illustrious, resourceful and a leader; 

 

G-    Being Great

 

I- Being Illustrious

 

R- Being Resourceful

 

L- Being a Leader

and the promotion of women's human rights under the sustainable development goals (SDG) 5, requires "GIRL" personalities to take girls and women's human rights and empowerment agenda to the next level. 

Promoting SDGs 5

I am starting the "Be a GIRL today!" campaign with the rainbow colored ribbon but it will take a while to materialize. While I nurture this and get buy-ins, I believe this concept will be sold out in no time. 

It requires as the underlying framework, the political participation and empowerment of girls and women. Looking at the state of the women in the country today, only less than 10% of women are in the political corridor of power and it seems like a failure. If the women have failed us then the girls are here to the rescue but we need to nurture girl to be GIRLs and even progressively minded boys as well. 

A situation is at hand and the time starts now.!!!!

"I see a sea of heads and I see untapped potentials buried in them....the GIRLs owns these heads and girls inclusive..." These are the keys to development.

The global powers have rolled out an aspirational mandate with 17 universal goals for transforming our world, reducing poverty for the poorest of the poor. The world needs GIRLs to breath the flame of life into development processes.

Be a GIRL today!

Signed
SDGsnYOu