Building Blocks for Peace Foundation is a youth led non-governmental, non-profit organization working on Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, Prevention of Violent Extremism, Accountability Governance and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. The organization is duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria since 2017. 

Job Description

We are currently looking for a Finance Officer to support the financial management of our organization by administering accounting operations to meet internal and donor requirements. The ideal candidate should be familiar with audits, invoices and budget preparations. He/She must demonstrate interest in managing accounting activities, including bank reconciliations, accounts payable and accounts receivable. Candidates should also have excellent organizational and analytical skills and be able to handle time-sensitive tasks. 

Job Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and controls accounting and financial operations.
• Prepares reports and documents covering accounting transactions for management review. 
• Ensures that accurate records are kept by standard practices. 
• Prepare balance sheets and process invoice.
• Update internal systems with financial data.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports.
• Reconcile bank statements.
• Participate in financial audits
• Track bank deposits and payments
• Assist with budget preparation.
• Review and implement financial policies
• Ensure compliance with tax regulations.

Job Requirements 

• Must be resident in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
• Possess at least BSc/HND degree in Finance, Accounting or Economics
• Graduated from university within the last five years
• Less than 35 years of age
• Available to work full time with immediate effect.
• Interest in Peacebuilding and Development work is desirable.

For Application

Send your CV and a One Page Cover Letter to info@bbforpeace.org with the title ‘Application for Finance Officer’ .

Building Blocks for Peace Foundation is a youth led non-governmental, non-profit organization working on Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, Prevention of Violent Extremism, Accountability Governance and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. The organization is duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria since 2017. 

Job Description

We are currently looking for a Finance Assistant to support the financial management of our organization by administering accounting operations to meet internal and donor requirements. The ideal candidate should be familiar with audits, invoices and budget preparations. He/She must demonstrate interest in managing accounting activities, including bank reconciliations, accounts payable and accounts receivable. Candidates should also have excellent organizational and analytical skills and be able to handle time-sensitive tasks. 

Job Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and controls accounting and financial operations.
• Prepares reports and documents covering accounting transactions for management review. 
• Ensures that accurate records are kept by standard practices. 
• Prepare balance sheets and process invoice
• Update internal systems with financial data
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports
• Reconcile bank statements
• Participate in financial audits
• Track bank deposits and payments
• Assist with budget preparation
• Review and implement financial policies

Job Requirements 

• Must be resident in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
• Possess at least BSc/HND degree in Finance, Accounting or Economics
• Graduated from university within the last five years
• Less than 35 years of age
• Professional qualifications such as ICAN is considered a plus
• Available to work full time with immediate effect.
• Interest in Peacebuilding and Development work is desirable.

Compensation

One hundred thousand (100,000) naira net salary.

For Application

Send your CV and a One Page Cover Letter to info@bbforpeace.org and copy admin@bbforpeace.org with the title ‘Application for Finance Assistant’ .

Application Deadline

This application is open until 8th January 2024.

Building Blocks for Peace Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit organization working on Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, Prevention of Violent Extremism, Accountability Governance and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. The organization is duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria since 2017. 

Job Description

We are currently looking for a Finance Assistant to support the financial management of our organization by administering accounting operations to meet internal and donor requirements. The ideal candidate should be familiar with audits, invoices and budget preparations. He/She must demonstrate interest in managing accounting activities, including bank reconciliations, accounts payable and accounts receivable. Candidates should also have excellent organizational and analytical skills and be able to handle time-sensitive tasks. 

Job Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and controls accounting and financial operations.
• Prepares reports and documents covering accounting transactions for management review. 
• Ensures that accurate records are kept by standard practices. 
• Prepare balance sheets and process invoice
• Update internal systems with financial data
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports
• Reconcile bank statements
• Participate in financial audits
• Track bank deposits and payments
• Assist with budget preparation
• Review and implement financial policies

Job Requirements 

• Must be resident in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
• Possess at least BSc/HND degree in Finance, Accounting or Economics
• Graduated from university within the last five years
• Less than 35 years of age
• Professional qualifications such as ICAN is considered a plus
• Available to work full time with immediate effect.
• Interest in Peacebuilding and Development work is desirable.

Compensation

100,000 naira monthly with possibility of review upon satisfactory performance.

For Application

Send your CV and a One Page Cover Letter to info@bbforpeace.org and copy admin@bbforpeace.org with the title ‘Application for Finance Assistant’ .

Application Deadline

This application is open until 8th January 2024.

Call for Application

Background

Building Blocks for Peace Foundation in collaboration with Peace Shapers and the Temple Foundation is pleased to announce a ‘Call for Application’ for young peacebuilders (age 18-35) who would like to participate in the 2024 BBFORPEACE YOUNG PEACEBUILDERS FELLOWSHIP.

The BBFORPEACE Young Peacebuilders Fellowship is designed as an initiative towards mobilising actions for the domestication of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2250, 2419 and 2535, African Union Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security and existing national framework on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) in Nigeria.

Specifically, the fellowship seeks to implement Pillar 1 (Participation) of the YPS agenda which calls for actions aimed at empowering youth in peacebuilding and conflict resolution and increased the representation of youth in decision-making at all levels in local, national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of conflict.

The Fellowship would last for 12 weeks (3 months). The first session will be an online training where participants will be taught on the different modules on peacebuilding and conflict management by experts in the field. The later session will be the graduation/ award ceremony of participants which will be held in Abuja, Nigeria.

Application Requirements

1. Must be a Nigerian or resident of Nigeria
2. Must be a youth between the age of 18-35 years
3. Must be working or willing to work on youth, peace and security and climate change
4. Must be available to attend the fellowship which will last for 12weeks (3 months)

*BBFORPEACE strongly encourage female applicants and people with disabilities to apply*

Benefits of the Fellowship

1. Technical support from experts on peacebuilding, sustainable development and project management.
2. An award of $1500 to two outstanding fellows after the completion of the fellowship.
3. Mentoring and internship opportunities for all fellows.

Application Deadline and Information

Complete the application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Fd9SXqp3iRTFFxeLy2qBci3qBwZPs4DDaLHVSzpZOM4/viewform?edit_requested=true by providing accurate information and upload all supporting documents on or before January 31st, 2024.

The final list of selected participants for the fellowship will be announced by the second week of February 2024.

For more information about this fellowship, contact us on project@bbforpeace.org, info@bbforpeace.org  

The Current State of Affairs

Migration simply means movement of people from one environment to another. It is essentially a situation where people leave their place of habitation to go and live in another place. While ‘japa’ on the other hand, is a word from the Yoruba extraction which connotes to ‘escape’. The expression has recently become colloquial in the Nigerian parlance. Gaining independence since 1960, Nigeria has continued to grapple with social, political and economic challenges that have had adverse effects on the economy. One of such challenges is mass migration of citizens. This trend has increasingly gained momentum especially within these past few years.

However, it will be fair to reckon the fact that, the myriads of challenges that are strangulating the country are equally responsible for this exodus the country is experiencing. These challenges pan across health, security, education, leadership sectors, etc. For instance, according to a 2021 report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 33.3% of Nigerians were unemployed. In the same vein, in November 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics disclosed that 133 million (63%) Nigerians were ‘multidimensionally poor’. Similarly, the education sector is total decrepit. The facilities are battered and outdated. Strike actions have become inextricable part of the academic curriculum. The health sector is equally in shambles as it is experiencing a stark lack of funding and quality healthcare facilities.

More so, production and output of food and other agricultural products have greatly downsized because many farmers have since been sacked from their farmlands by herders. On the other hand, insecurity has become the order of the day. It has claimed the best of the country so much so that no day goes by without insecurity headlines dominating the national dailies, ranging from kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, police brutality, unknown gun men to ritual killings. These issues have continued to provoke word rhetoric in the public domain for a protracted period.

Therefore, many Nigerians have been coerced by the foregoing factors to migrate, or more appropriately, escape in search for greener pastures, that is to say, they leave in search for employment and life opportunities. Some leave for educational purposes, some leave for security reasons, some leave for health factors, while others leave for exposure.

The Effects on the Economy

The effects of mass migration on the economy are as much as the number of people leaving the country. For each skilled individual that leaves there is a far-reaching consequence on the economy. Exodus is not something that people should celebrate especially if there is no war or natural disaster. The people migrating are mostly those with tremendous potentials, otherwise known as ‘brain drain’. They are people who have great abilities and have acquired competitive skills, including Doctors, Lawyers, Researchers, Academics, Journalists, among others. Therefore, one of the primary effects of mass migration on the economy is the loss of skilled and unskilled labour. This has had negative effects on the quality of services provided to citizens and has led to increased costs.

The migration of skilled workers such as engineers, doctors and teachers has led to a shortage of professionals in key sectors of the economy, such as healthcare and education. For instance, according to an October 2022 report by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigeria has one doctor to 10,000 patients. This is in sharp contrast to the one doctor to 600 patients recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The country has lost her best productive brains to Europe, America and even Asia. For example, the first successful effort of the World Health Organization at developing Covid19 vaccine came from the U.S particularly from a Nigerian by name Dr. Onyema Ogbuagu who developed the Pfizer vaccine. Other profound examples include; Jelani Bello, a Nigerian who designs Chevrolet cars in the U.S and Dr. Osatohanmwen Osemwengie, a Nigerian who develops drones for the U.S military. The migration of unskilled workers has also taken a toll on the economic growth and development leading to shortage of labour in certain sectors such as agriculture and construction.

Another effect of mass migration on the economy is loss of revenue. The migration of citizens especially those who are of working age have led to decrease in tax revenue and decrease in consumer spending. This has affected the ability of the government to provide essential services to the citizens and has been contributing to budget deficit. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria has lost about 10 billion dollars annually due to brain drain (mass migration) since 2010. Similarly, data from the World Bank show that Nigeria’s GDP growth has been negatively affected by the migration of skilled workers. In 2019, GDP growth was only 2.27% against the projected growth rate of 2.8%.

The Youth Factor

Further impacts of the ‘japa’ syndrome include vulnerability to trafficking and exploitation of the Nigerian youths, especially if they lack proper information, documentation, or support. A 2022 population snapshot by the Mixed Migration Centre reveals that Italy hosts at least 120,000 Nigerians on its territory, the second largest group of Nigerians in Europe (after the UK), and is the most important destination for Nigerian victims of trafficking. In 2017, a total of 18,000 Nigerian migrants were recorded to have arrived into Europe via the Mediterranean, 5,400 of which were women (UNHCR, 2018). Also, within 2014 and 2016, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded an almost 600% increase in the number of potential sex trafficking victims arriving in Italy via the Mediterranean.

One salient issue of concern is the question of which population will stand in the gap or who are the future drivers of the country if all the youths keep escaping? The departure of the young, dynamic and educated population would leave a void in various sectors of the nation, from the workforce to leadership roles, including the military, construction, education, health, agriculture as well as the political sector.

Nigeria’s economy would suffer, as the youth are vital to innovation and productivity. The lack of a skilled labour force would continue to hamper development and hinder technological progress. Additionally, the political landscape might be destabilized as experienced leaders will also leave, potentially creating a power vacuum. The social fabric of the nation could weaken, leading to issues like an aging population and potential social unrest.     

Another pertinent thing to note is that the remittances from migrants have made many parents and relatives back home perpetually reliant and dependent on children abroad. Remittances undeniably provide critical support to many families. These financial contributions are instrumental in covering essential expenses such as education, healthcare, and daily necessities. They also provide a financial lifeline during emergencies or unexpected hardships, serving as a safety net. However, remittance may discourage recipients from seeking local employment or investing in local businesses, thereby discouraging economic development at the local level. Additionally, the consistent inflow of foreign currency from remittances can impact exchange rates and inflation. Furthermore, if the economic stability of a family is solely tied to remittances, disruptions in the source of income abroad can have severe consequences on the livelihoods of those in Nigeria.

The Way Forward

A famous dictum by Albert Einstein goes, “you cannot solve a problem with the same mindset that created it”. In order to address the ‘japa’ syndrome and its attendant impacts on Nigeria’s economy, the government has to up the ante and make a paradigm shift from the existing lackadaisical style of governing.

The roles of the government in mitigating the effects of mass migration on the economy lies chiefly in creating an enabling atmosphere for the citizens to thrive. One of such roles is to provide incentives for skilled workers to stay in the country. This can include offering tax breaks or other financial incentives for professionals in key sectors of the economy. Also, the government should enhance the business space and private sector by reducing bureaucracy in order to encourage investment and ease in business activities.

Furthermore, policies and programs should be initiated with the goal to retain unskilled labour. This may include training and work placement programs to help citizens find employment in their field of expertise. Besides, concerted efforts should be made towards strengthening the purchasing power of the Naira so as to improve the living wage. Overall, the government should demonstrate pragmatism in education, security, health, employment, infrastructure, sports, entertainment, industrialization and manufacturing sectors, so as to attract professionals and investors who will inevitably culminate in a prosperous Nigeria for all citizens.

Conclusion

It’s important to note that while migration can offer opportunities for personal and economic development, it can also be challenging and risky, especially for vulnerable young people addressing the root causes of mass migration, such as unemployment, insecurity, and lack of opportunities, is crucial for creating an environment where youths can thrive in Nigeria without feeling compelled to migrate in large numbers.

Samson Tavershima Shabu
Research/Program Officer
Building Blocks for Peace Foundation
Email: research@bbforpeace.org

Eseimokumo Albert, Project Officer BBFORPEACE

Introduction

Africa comprises a huge number of young people compared to other continents. Specifically, 60% of the entire continent’s population is below 25 years making the continent with the highest number of young persons in the world[1]. A high population is either a burden or an asset depending on the sophistication of the skillset and knowledge of the population. Therefore, the population of young people in Africa would remain an untapped blessing if they do not possess the skills that would lead to sustainability and development. Africa is webbed in complex environmental issues like climate change, deforestation and habitat loss, flooding, drought and others that are interconnected and have far-reaching consequences for the continent’s biodiversity, which need youthful energy and innovations to address.

However, it is a strange paradox that the continent has yet to harness its youthful powerhouse for sustainable development optimally. This is more worrisome when considering that a significant proportion of African youth are engaged in agricultural activities for their livelihoods. Climate change can disrupt rainfall patterns, lead to droughts or floods, and impact crop yields, thereby affecting their food security and economic stability.

Youths are the driving force for socioeconomic and environmental development but not without the right skills. African youth struggle with a lack of quality education, lack of access to the policy-making sphere but remain victims of unsustainable policies that threaten their daily lives. Worse still, many parts of the continent are embroiled in conflicts where youths are not just victims but serve as active combatants, soldiers, or violent non-state actors, yet, they remain an indispensable force for a green revolution.  

Challenges faced by young people

Young people face challenges impacting their personal, social, educational, and professional development. These challenges can vary depending on cultural context, socioeconomic status, and individual circumstances. Some of the prevailing challenges faced by youth include:

Without education and trained skills, young people cannot be employed, thereby intriguing them to engage in different conflictual activities for survival. In Africa, owing to a lack of appropriate skills, up to 60 per cent of young people are unemployed[2]. In other words, education is the key to developing a sustainable society.

Unemployment: A youth with no job can always be used to carry out social vices and cause conflict in the society. Just like the saying, “An idle man is the devil’s workshop.” Imagine having 53.4 per cent of unemployed youths, more than half of the employed ones in Nigeria and 12.6 per cent in the world[3]. High unemployment results in a high rate of conflict and criminal activities among young people. When job opportunities are limited, especially for entry-level positions, young people get frustrated along the line and engage in an alternative source of income thereby going into criminal activities[4]. So, to maintain a sustainable world, the leaders of societies should create jobs and skills which will accommodate young ones and get them busy.

Lack of Education: One of the fundamental challenges young people face is the lack of access to quality education. And also, one of the essential prerequisites of achieving a sustainable world is giving young people the key to quality education. Education creates room for young ones to be skilled, enlightened about their environment and understand how to deal with the issues of climate change and sustainability. High tuition fees have also limited higher education opportunities for young ones. Especially those who live in rural areas with limited income and cannot afford to get educated due to the lack of funds. And sometimes, due to the disruptions in education caused by conflicts, emergencies, or pandemics, they tend even to unlearn what they have learned due to the long break duration.

Environmental Concerns/Climate Change: Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected by climate change and environmental sustainability. Climate change significantly impacts youths in various ways; it could affect their education, health impacts (psychologically and mentally), economic challenges, displacement and migration, and loss of biodiversity and ecosystems, affecting their present and future well-being.

Lack of Political Engagement and Shrinking Civic Participation: Young people are interested in political actions and desire to also participate in the decision and policy making process but lack support and opportunities. They are most times disenfranchised or powerless. So, it is essential to include the youths in the policy-making process and give them opportunities for their voices to be heard in the society.

Empowering Youths With Green Skills Towards a Sustainable World; a Way Forward

Africa is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including increased temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, droughts, and more frequent and severe weather events. These changes can disrupt agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems, leading to food and water scarcity, displacement, and economic instability. Other issues which also includes deforestation and habitat loss, desertification, land degradation, water scarcity and pollution, biodiversity loss, lack of waste management resulting to pollution and lack of energy access. With all of these challenges encountered, there is need for young peole to be enlightened and trained green skills to achieve a sustainable world.

Green skills for young people play a vital role in building a sustainable world and addressing environmental challenges. As our global community becomes increasingly aware of the need to protect the environment and combat climate change, equipping young people with green skills becomes even more crucial. These skills encompass a broad range of knowledge, competencies, and behaviours that promote sustainable practices and contribute to a more environmentally conscious society. Emphasizing the development of these emerging skills can empower young people to navigate an ever-changing world, adapt to new challenges, and seize opportunities in various domains. Education, mentorship, and practical experiences are essential in nurturing these skills and preparing the younger generation for a successful and fulfilling future.

Enlightening young people about the interconnectedness of ecological systems, climate change, biodiversity loss, and human environmental impact is crucial for making informed decisions and taking sustainable actions. Knowledge about renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power and their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change is also vital. Learning about sustainable farming practices, organic agriculture, and regenerative farming techniques can promote food security and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. Understanding the importance of waste management, recycling, composting, and proper disposal methods helps young people contribute to waste reduction and minimize pollution.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, exposing young people to eco-friendly technologies, such as energy-efficient appliances and intelligent systems, can lead to innovative solutions for environmental challenges. Understanding environmental policies and engaging in advocacy efforts can empower young people to influence decision-makers and promote sustainable policies. Young people pursuing careers in eco-friendly businesses or starting sustainable ventures will foster innovation and drive economic growth while addressing environmental challenges. All these are skills that young people need to be aware of and trained on in every society.

In commemoration of the 2023 International Youth Day, BBFORPEACE joins its voice with other key Stakeholders’ to emphasise on the importance of Green skills as it empowers young people to become responsible global citizens who can actively participate in shaping a sustainable world for future generations.

Also, governments, educational institutions, and organisations should come together to incorporate these skills into formal and informal education programs, encouraging the development of a generation that prioritises environmental stewardship for a better environment for all.

[1] Adegoke, Yinka.” The youngest continent will keep being run by its oldest leaders”.

[2] World Bank data, cited in Africa Renewal, ‘Africa’s jobless youth cast a shadow over economic growth’.

[3] https://fij.ng/article/53-youth-unemployment-makes-nigeria-worlds-second-worst/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20also%20estimated%20by,in%202022%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.

[4] https://www.tekedia.com/youth-unemployment-as-a-catalyst-that-drives-conflict-in-west-africa/

By targeting the most fundamental aspects of a person’s identity, hate speech erodes the very essence of their humanity, fostering an environment of fear, hostility, and alienation, and at times lifetime enmity or even death.

Now to you reading this piece, who are you and what manner of words do you speak to the people around you? Do you speak kind words to them or you rather say hurtful words without minding whether or not it pierces through their heart thereby damaging them? I hope you know that words are powerful and how you convey whatever you say per time matters a lot.

Preventive Measures/Recommendations

Looking for ways to counter hate and hate speech? There’s no other way than for you to;

Stop it!

Stop it, in all its entire form.

Stop hating on people around you. Before you say any word at all, make sure to evaluate the words and also weigh the aftermath of your words and actions. You really do not know what people are going each day that passes by. Some may be dying in silent pains but do not outpour what they feel inside of them to outsiders, but immediately an ill word is said to them, they become the most disastrous beings ever. These reactions can sometimes be dangerous as the pains must have pissed them up for long.

See the best in people

As much as you can, do everything within your capacity to see the best in people. Do well to always support people’s efforts no matter how little it is, it will give them the strength to do more next time or in the future.
Many a time, what people need to hear is a kind word, other times, they may not be the best you expect them to be, however, you can lift up by their spirit by saying positive words to them. Words like ‘you are doing well’, ‘keep it up’, ‘you can do it’, you can do better’. Such words are capable of bringing back life to people no matter how downtrodden they are. 

If all you see and can say is negatives, stay mute instead

There some people who never sees anything good in people’s efforts and all they can see is negativity. There is also nothing that others can do that will please them, all they do is insults and unappreciative mindsets. It is better not to say anything, if you know that all you can say or see is negative energy.

Don’t join the number of people out there who find joy in bringing others down with their words and actions

One big mistake that people often make is that they join the crowd to criticize people without bothering to find out their plight. In most cases, what people say about others is sometimes not true. They may speak ill of people out of jealousy and envy that is why it’s best for you not to say hate words at all other than joining them.

You can make the change. In fact, you should be the change

Change begins with you and me.

If you’re aware that what you’re about to say will hurt other people’s feelings, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, other than saying it, don’t say it at all.

Be the healing voice out there and at the same time, teach others to stop the hate.

Conclusion

At this point, I believe you’re now aware that you can either make or mar people with the kind of words you speak. You can damage a fellow’s mental health when you think you can say whatever you have to say and there’s nobody out there that can stop you from saying it.

Remember, hate paralyses life and it is only love that can release it, as such, be at peace with everyone around you as much as possible. Love and not hate. Be kind, regardless.

In commemoration of the 2023 International day for countering hate speech, Building Blocks for Peace Foundation is lending its voice with other Stakeholders across the world to say #NoToHate  and also #SayNoToHateSpeech.

Join us to say #NoToHate and #NoToHateSpeech.

Written by:
Anthonia Folashade and Eseimokumo Albert
BBFORPEACE Communications

Society is made up of separate but interdependent formal and informal institutions that function together for peaceful co-existence. The formal institutions comprise the various tiers of government and its agencies at the federal and subnational levels. For starters, one can point to the executive, judiciary, legislature and all its paraphernalia.

Formal structures are charged with official governance roles and are involved in the daily implementation of government policies including maintaining law and order. Beyond the formal institutions, there are also other equally important structures outside the realms of formal governance. These informal institutions comprise the family, cultural and religious organizations, civil society organisations and many more. The level of stability in any country is measured by the optimal and complementary functioning of both the formal and informal institutions of governance. Informal institutions are usually the first contact of every individual. Among the informal institutions themselves, the family comes first.

The family is the basic unit of society yet it establishes the strongest means of socialization and influence that an individual carries throughout life’s journey. It is often ritually repeated that society is the individual writ large. Consequently, the character of individual families is what conglomerate makes the character of society, as such, a society that enjoys peace, stability and development is likely one whose families have passed on such values to the individuals.

It is therefore clear that the majority of the development goals of the government will likely be achieved if families are built as important components of development. It is in this context that this piece explores the opportunities for harnessing the strengths of the family in achieving goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Nigeria and Sustainable Development Goal 16

Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals is aimed at promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies. Nigeria is a major signatory to this global development agenda. However, the country is threatened by intractable conflict in its six geopolitical zones. Nigeria still battles with terrorism in the northeast,  banditry in the northwest and northcentral, secessionist agitation in the southeast and southwest, piracy and cult-related violence in the south-south, southwest and southeast. This is in addition to the farmer-herder conflict and inter and intra-communal crisis that affects every part of the country. These are serious blockades to the attainment of sustainable development goals.

Much like the Millennium Development Goals that Nigeria arguably failed to achieve, the country is already getting negative reviews on its quest to attain sustainable development goal 16. So far, the Nigerian government has majorly adopted kinetic strategies and engaging formal structures in its quest to enthrone peace and stability. At best, it has only engaged civil society organisations but neglected the fundamental institutions that serve as the bedrock of the development of basic positive values of peace and stability like the family.

The Role of the Families in achieving SDG 16

The family is seen as the smallest unit of society, yet plays a fundamental role for the existence and building of a peaceful society. The family inculcates in the individual basic behavioural traits and even in adulthood, it still exerts considerable control over individuals.

The childhood stage of human development is the most important stage of learning. It is at this time that the child learns to differentiate what is good from bad. How well the child learns the values of tolerance, love, forgiveness, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and accommodation amongst others will determine the life choices, actions and inactions of adults.

Therefore, a society constantly at war is one that a greater number of families have likely failed to entrench good values. The basic physical, mental, emotional responses and skills are learned from parents during the first years of life. It is thus clear that the vital pre-requisites for social living are at the mercy and vagaries of family life.

It is important to note that four basic factors determine a child’s learning process which in turn determine the attribute or traits of the child in the later years. These factors include;

• The environmental factor
• Size of the Family
• Availability of social protection
• Love and affection

The Environment

The environment is one of the basic factors that affect a child’s behaviour. A peaceful environment determines a child’s understanding of how peace can be maintained whereas, an environment occupied with conflict activities will also structure the child’s ideology on conflict issues. Consequently, what a child learns in his environment determines the perception of that child when he grows up.

It is on this note that it is important for families to play good roles to making sure that they bring up their children in an environment free from war and other violent activities. From a psychological view, a child learns faster at an early age than later. This is so because children are always curious to know what is happening around them, their environment inclusive. Teaching a child about the importance of peacebuilding at that early stage of life gives the child an awareness of what society is, and what they are expected to do as individuals to make the society a better place. But once a child is not oriented but rather live in a conflict-ridden environment, that child tends to grow up with traits that promote violence or best become indifferent in the face of it.

Size of the Family

If there is anything more important in a child’s life, it’s the love and affection he gets from his family and loved ones while growing up. The rendering of love makes the child feel accepted and he reciprocates the love to others in society in a later course.

To parents, it is important to understand that the size of the family is one thing that affects a child’s behaviour. When the family is large, little attention will be given to the children or sometimes, some will feel loved more than others. That is why it is good that parents give birth to the number of children they can cater for.  

To reduce the financial burdens in large families, children often the trade-offs. They are either forced into child labour or transferred as caregivers to friends and other families making them easy prey to child and drug trafficking, drug abuse and worse still they are denied education. This often results in psychopathy and sociopathy reinforces hatred in society and the quest for violence.  

Availability of Social Protection

Similar to the earlier factor mentioned, the basic things a child needs while growing up, are care and love from families. The number of children parents give birth to should be equivalent to their resources so that they will look after the welfare and well-being of their children without any financial constraints and problems.

Many needs of children involve money whether it is their education, clothing, welfare, etc. Many families in Nigeria are preoccupied with subsistence farming and fishing leaving very little disposable resources to take care of the needs of children.

To meet up with their needs children resort to child labour because they have not been equipped enough in many instances to be gainfully employed they become easy recruits into non-state violent groups, ritual gangs, internet fraud and kidnapping syndicates.

Conclusion

The family is the first institution of socialisation where the individual learns the basic behavioural traits to promote peace and stability in adulthood. More so, even in adulthood, the family still provides some checks that control the character of an individual. However, the important role of the family has been grossly underutilised in promoting the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Recommendations

As we commemorate the 2023 International Day of Families, here are some recommendations:

1. Government and international bodies need to focus on families and provide simplified toolkits that they can use to socialize children on achievement of the sustainable development goals.
2. Government and NGOs should provide specific SDG family clubs that will bring various families together for knowledge sharing and play games aimed at learning peaceful coexistence.
3. Programming and peace messaging on radio and television should be structured in a manner that simplifies and captures the roles of every individual in family peacebuilding.
4. As stakeholders put in more work to ensure that families have direct access to the needed resources towards achieving SDG 16, families should also play their part by ensuring there is peace and tranquility amongst themselves. Parents should teach their children the sense of brotherhood, they themselves should ensure to be role models to their children by portraying the acts of peace in all their dealings; these and many more would make the society thrive effortlessly.

Written

Eseimokumo Albert and Anthonia Folashade

BBFORPEACE Communication

As the West Africa Regional Secretariat, the position presents an opportunity for BBFORPEACE to directly take charge of network members’ coordination, programming and work to advance GPPAC’s Strategic goal of shifting the way conflicts are handled in West Africa and across the globe.

In this role, BBFORPEACE seeks to work and mobilize civil society organizations (CSOs) in West Africa around three important themes viz, locally-led peacebuilding, youth and women inclusion in peace and security, and climate-sensitive peacebuilding.

Furthering, BBFORPEACE will be supporting the operationalization of ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework in West Africa complementing what other similar networks and organizations are doing to support peacebuilding across the region.

About GPPAC

The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) is a global network led by civil society organizations (CSOs) actively working to prevent violent conflict and build more peaceful societies. GPPAC has their headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands. The network consists of fifteen regional networks with priorities and agenda specific to each of the regions.

About BBFORPEACE

Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE) is a non-governmental and non-profit organization working on conflict prevention, peacebuilding, accountability governance and sustainable development in Nigeria. The organization has been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission since 2017 in Nigeria. 

For more details: https://www.gppac.net/regions/west-africa

Written by

BBFORPEACE Communication Team

It is undeniable that several forms of discrimination exist in the labour market despite extant national and international laws. In Nigeria, factors like ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, disability and age and are major prejudices that influence employment even when the educational and professional requirements are excellent. Among the several prejudices that affect the chances of employment, ageism is one that has become widespread and almost accepted as a norm.

Ageism is a significant issue affecting employment opportunities in Nigeria, particularly for older workers. It is also a societal problem that is deeply entrenched in Nigeria. The concept “Ageism” is seen as the stereotyping, prejudice or discrimination based on a person’s age.[1] It is a vicious cycle that stifles innovation, restricts social progress and denies employers the full right of their workforce.

Effects of Ageism on the Nigerian Employment

Many (both the aged and youth) in Nigeria, have faced discrimination in one way or the other in the labour market as a result of their age. The effects of ageism on Nigerian employment manifest in two ways. It is important to state that; ageism does not affect the aged ones only, but also affects the youths. Therefore, the first is how ageism affects the aged group and the second is how the youths are marginalized.

The Aged Group

One of the key ways that ageism affects Nigerian employment is through mandatory retirement ages. Employers often have predetermined retirement ages, which tend to be between 60 and 65 years old. This can mean that older workers are forced into retirement before they are ready, thereby creating financial and employment uncertainty. Many retirees in Nigeria are challenged to make ends meet because they are cut off from their primary source of monetary support, which often results in poverty for them and their families.

Moreover, ageism limits employment opportunities for older people. Employers frequently view older workers as being less productive or technologically competent than younger workers. Some employers assume that older people are not set in their ways, are inflexible, and are unlikely to adapt to changing job requirements. As a result, they lose the opportunity to fully utilize the years of knowledge, experience and skill that older workers bring to the workplace. In turn, older people are unable to leverage their contributions to society in ways that can improve the Nigerian economy.

There are several other ways that ageism manifests in Nigerian workplaces. One of them is the fear that older workers will outlast their younger colleagues, who are more likely to adapt to technological changes and have longer career spans. Another is gender-based ageism, which disproportionately affects older women, who are often pushed out of the workforce earlier than men. The result is that many retired women are unable to support themselves or their families.

Youth’s Marginalization

Despite the fact that the aged face all manner of discrimination and the youths are given more priority in the labour market, there are still certain spaces or positions that youth are not allowed or given less privilege to immerse. Such positions allow only the aged to occupy, especially, political positions. In Nigeria it is observed that almost 90 percent of political position are immersed by the aged. From 1999-2023 of the minister’s data in all the ministries, it was gathered that more than 95 percent of ministers are of the aged group whereas less than 5 percent of youth occupy such positions and other political positions. This indicates that the youths are been marginalized from political positions in Nigeria. With such discrimination, the youths are been deprived of their rights and which also reduces the rate of experiences of skills that is to be acquired as they are not exposed to such positions which in turn leads to poor economic growth in the country.

Effects of Youths Marginality

When young ones are marginalized, they tend to be poor and have little exposure to acquire more knowledge and training which in turns leads to lack of productive employment and may become socially and economically unassimilated[2]. And in a developing country like Nigeria where there is a widening gap in the standards of living of young people, social problems such as alcohol and drug use, cultism, kidnapping, sea piracy, and others are prone to occur. When the youths are not given job opportunities or are been marginalized, they go into different criminal activities to make ends meet, which will not only affect the economic growth of the country but will also lead to high risk of loss of lives and insecurity in Nigeria.

In other words, in Nigeria, the youths play a major role in its growth. Therefore, they need to be given opportunities in order to be productive in their different areas of specialization.

Why Nigerians Falsify Their Age

Most Nigerians do not have their original date of birth on their birth certificate. Many Nigerians falsify their age especially those who have an interest in working in the civil service space. This is in direct reaction to the challenge of ageism as employers now consider age as a basic requirement in most job openings even more than the educational and professional requirements of a job seeker. This is so because they believe that the young ones (fresh graduates) are more energized and productive than older ones.

Solutions

To address the problem of ageism in Nigerian employment, employers should begin by recognizing the value of what older workers bring to the workplace. Resources should be allocated to create a more age-friendly work environment, including measures like mentorship and skills-enhancement programs for older staff.

Employers should also demonstrate the willingness to explore alternatives to forced retirement and address gender-based age discrimination. By bridging the demographic divide between older and younger workers, employers can ensure the full realization of productivity and savings that comes with an inter-generational team.

Conclusion

Ageism is a pervasive societal problem that affects the Nigerian workforce. Employers should refocus their attention on creating culture-oriented environments that emphasize the value of older workers’ contributions. This may help provide equal opportunities for all people, regardless of age and may also reduce poverty and increase sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
It is also important to implement already adopted measures to protect persons (both the aged and youths) and ensure the most vulnerable are not exposed to the ageism and age discrimination still prevalent in the society.

Written by

Eseimokumo Albert

Program Officer, BBFORPEACE

[1] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ageism

[2] http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/problem/138877