General
Actionaid Nigeria Marks 25th Anniversary, Recommits to Salvaging Humanity
The Secretary General of ActionAid International, Arthur Larok, along with other dignitaries, will join ActionAid Nigeria on Tuesday (today) to mark 25 years of its journey in the country and its interventions in critical areas affecting the lives of many Nigerians.
By addressing global challenges like poverty, inequality, corruption, and poor governance through collective action, sustainable practices, and political engagement, ActionAid Nigeria said it has achieved systemic changes such as improving healthcare, promoting quality and affordable education, developing sustainable agriculture, and promoting an inclusive governance system.
Apart from celebrating the past years of growth, successes, and excellence in humanitarian activities across the country, stakeholders are also gathering to reflect on the next 25 years of the organisation and plan ahead.
According to the organisation’s Director of Business Development and Innovation, Nkechi Ilochi-Kanny, marking 25 years of salvaging humanity is worthy of acknowledgement and that the renewal of commitment was necessary towards achieving the set objectives.
AAN’s back story
Though ActionAid International is 53 years old, the establishment of ActionAid Nigeria did not happen until 2000. Coinciding with the country’s return to democratic governance, it presented a hitherto rare atmosphere for development organisations to operate and collaborate towards addressing critical gaps in national development plans.
Management and staff of ActionAid Nigeria in a group photograph on Monday marking the 25th anniversary.
With a seasoned practitioner with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), the pioneer Country Director of AAN, Charles Abani, built a credible presence capable of mobilising communities, donors, and government partners in the country.
By 2004, under Mr Abani’s leadership, ActionAid Nigeria had grown its seed fund of £500 into over £4 million through institutional donors such as the European Union, DFID, USAID, and the World Bank.
With programmes in education and health initiated, coalitions such as Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) and Civil Society Consultative Group on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSGHAN) emerged as vital partners in advocacy and intervention towards tackling systemic barriers to education and healthcare.
Today, whether in health, education, agriculture, commerce, or human rights, AAN said it has mobilised people to achieve the best results through various initiatives such as the Citizens’ Led Engagements on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP JUSTICE), which birthed the Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), as well as the reputable Women’s Voices and Leadership (WVL) project.
AAN also initiated other projects, including the Strengthening Citizens’ Resistance Against Corruption (SCRAP-C); STAR Circles; Poor Education Plus; Family Life and HIV Education, and Commonwealth Education Fund.
Next level
As part of the efforts towards renewing its pledge to advancing humanitarian interventions in the country and beyond, ActionAid Nigeria has lined up a series of activities not just to mark the quarter-century celebration but to clearly identify the next steps it aspires to take.
On Monday, 24 November, the organisation set out with an internal gathering of its committed workers, celebrating collective efforts and achievements over the years.
“We not only reflected on our journey so far, but also discussed our vision for the next 25 years, envisioning ActionAid Nigeria at 50 years, transitioning into a wealth-creation organisation,” Ms Ilochi-Kanny said.
On Tuesday, supported by the ActionAid Nigeria International Secretary General, AAN will be visiting a community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to interact with beneficiaries of different interventions.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the organisation said it will honour its long-standing and outstanding partners in recognition of their contributions.