The SELL Resource Team alongside community volunteers on Tuesday 29th October, 2019 visited Mrs. Amirat D. Mazawaje the Director, Department of Social Service in her office at Shendam local Government Secretariat, of Plateau State. Discussions during the visit centered on child protection, Gender Reconciliation and the protection of the vulnerable in our society.
Mrs. Amirat welcomed the team and highlighted the efforts put in place as they look forward to partner with Organizations who are into child right act and gender equality. She stated that child safeguarding and protection, Gender Reconciliation are necessary means of ensuring peaceful communities. Mrs. Amirat assured SELL Foundation of her support and that of the social welfare department in Shendam to continue to champion the right of the young persons and children and to ensure their voices are heard, valued and are at the centre of any decision which affects their lives.
Similarly, the team proceeded to the office of the Deputy Supretendant of Police Shendam command Mr. Nahum Gwadi Eli, discussions continued on issues relating to security in the community, the need for child protection and awareness against Domestic violence. Mr. Nahum who reported to Shendam barely six months was exited with the visit and commended the foundation for its effort in ensuring the young people become peace advocates through the SELL formation programme. In his welcome address, Mr. Nahum stated that attention should be given to children who are the future of every community. He called on parents to always look after the well-being of their children and bring them up as responsible citizens. He also admonished the young people within and outside Shendam to be unifying factor for growth and development in the community by being law abiding.
The long-Goemai of Shendam who was represented by the Madakin Shendam Miskoom Kenneth Kwaptoe expressed joy for the SELL initiative and its impact in the lives of young adult in the North East and Plateau State particularly in Shendam community. He stated that the SELL initiative was a good idea that can provide the much needed platform to positively engage, build and nurture young people to contribute their quarter in building their communities. He applauded the founders of this noble Organization (SELL). The Madaki on behalf of the traditional council pledge their full support to the SELL programme and gave assurance of their fatherly support towards the realization of the objective of the SELL programme. He enjoined the SELL volunteers in Shendam and other likeminded organizations to join hands with the council to bring sanity to the community.
Alhaji Mohammed Garba Chairman of the National Council of Muslim Youths (NACOMYO) Shendam, in his remarks also thanked SELL Foundation for a job well done and for reaching out to young adults through capacity development. He said, ‘’ religious crisis is strange in our community and the country at large’’ as we are all regarded as one family. He assured the team of the readiness of the Muslim Youth in Shendam to partner SELL and be part of the forthcoming training on Child safeguarding, Gender reconciliation and Peace and conflict resolution so as to ensure peace and development thrives in Shendam community and beyond.
Advocacy visit to Shendam coincided with the launching and blessing of the car wash business centre owned by SELL volunteers in Shendam community. The car wash was established with support from Misean Cara and St. Patrick’s Missionary Society through SELL Foundation to aid the youth become self reliant
The stakeholders/partners visited during the advocacy visit in Shendam include; Bishop Philip Dung the Catholic Bishop of Shendam Diocese, Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) Shendam, Plateau State Youth Council (PYC), Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Friends of Africa and others.
The advocacy visits concluded with community team meeting with the Chaplain of the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON) Rev. Fr. Naron Homsuk where SELL activities in the community were reviewed and recommendations on the way forward stated.
Written by Emily Ranna Yinala
SELL Communications Officer
