ActionAid Nigeria on Tuesday said its 25th anniversary is not only a moment of celebration but a time to chart a clear path for the next 25 years, as the organisation recommits to advancing humanitarian and development interventions across the country.
Marking the milestone in Abuja on Tuesday, the Secretary General of ActionAid International, Arthur Larok, joined other dignitaries to celebrate what the organisation described as a significant point in its journey of addressing poverty, inequality, corruption and poor governance in Nigeria.
According to the Director of Business Development and Innovation, Nkechi Ilochi-Kanny, marking 25 years of salvaging humanity is worthy of recognition, and provides a platform for renewing commitment towards achieving the set objectives.
A 25-year journey
Although ActionAid International is 53 years old, ActionAid Nigeria was established in 2000, shortly after Nigeria returned to democratic governance. The shift opened a more conducive environment for development organisations to operate and collaborate towards addressing critical gaps in national development plans.
Led by its pioneer Country Director, Charles Abani, ActionAid Nigeria built a credible presence.Within four years, the organisation grew its initial seed fund of £500 to more than £4 million through support from partners such as the European Union, DFID, USAID and the World Bank.
ActionAid Nigeria initiated programmes in education and health and supported the emergence of major civil society coalitions, including the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) and the Civil Society Consultative Group on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSGHAN) as partners in advocacy and intervention towards tackling systemic barriers to education and healthcare.
Interventions and impact
The organisation said it has since driven systemic change across health, education, agriculture, commerce and human rights.
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Notable initiatives include the Citizens’ Led Engagements on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP JUSTICE), which led to the creation of the Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), and the Women’s Voices and Leadership (WVL) project.
Other initiatives have included the Strengthening Citizens’ Resistance Against Corruption (SCRAP-C), STAR Circles, Poor Education Plus, Family Life and HIV Education, and the Commonwealth Education Fund.
Looking ahead
As part of activities lined up for the anniversary, ActionAid Nigeria said it is using the moment to clarify the “next steps” it hopes to take in its humanitarian and development work.
On Monday, 24 November, the organisation held an internal gathering to celebrate staff contributions, collective efforts and achievements over the years as well as discussed its vision for the next 25 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.
Today, 25 November, officials of the organisation alongside the International Secretary General visited a community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to interact with beneficiaries of its interventions. According to the organisation, the week-long activities will continue on Thursday with an event to honour long-standing and outstanding partners for their support over the years.
