DR. UZO’ CLOCKS 60 ON 25 FEBRUARY 2024

 DR. UZO’ CLOCKS 60

Excellencies, Honourables, Bosses, Leaders, Colleagues, Friends, Associates, Brethren,

 

IT’S MY 60^TH BIRTHDAY

 

Happy New Month and God’s Choicest Blessings to You.

 

The journey of my life will reach its 6^th floor on 25 February 2024. I’ll be 60 years old on that day.

 

I’m writing to humbly request you to celebrate this milestone with me, in all the friendly ways you can in the following way(s); whether you knew me as a child, as a schoolmate (primary, secondary, tertiary), as a coursemate, as a boss, or colleague at work, friend, partner, whether in the community, in organizations/associations, in business, or the professions.

 

1.      I’ll be most pleased to receive your most candid comments/views about me, my life, my work, and my activities, as much as you know, even if it was yesterday you got to know me.

Kindly click on this WhatsApp Group DR UZO CLOCKS 60 https://chat.whatsapp.com/IAoVN2MSJeF2XHrcy9AhJJ and share your comments/views including Your Name, Your Country

You may also email them to dr.uzo.clocks.60@gmail.com using ‘DR UZO CLOCKS 60: Your Name, Your Country’, as the Subject of your message.

 

2.      Your birthday/goodwill messages will gladden my heart all the days of my life;

Please click on this WhatsApp Group DR UZO CLOCKS 60 https://chat.whatsapp.com/IAoVN2MSJeF2XHrcy9AhJJ and share your comments/views including Your Name, Your Country

You may also email them to dr.uzo.clocks.60@gmail.com using ‘DR UZO CLOCKS 60: Your Name, Your Country’, as the Subject of your message.

 

3.      Please check your archives, and files, including the Internet. I’ll be pleased to receive any information, news, article, story, photos, etc. of/about me in the last sixty years, that you may have/find. I’m trying to write my autobiography and such archives will be of great help to me.

Kindly share them on this dedicated WhatsApp group:  click on

DR UZO CLOCKS 60 https://chat.whatsapp.com/IAoVN2MSJeF2XHrcy9AhJJ

You may also email them to dr.uzo.clocks.60@gmail.com using ‘DR UZO CLOCKS 60: Your Name, Your Country’, as the Subject of your message.

 

4.      Have I impacted you/your work positively in any way? Please let me know how, where, and when, and let me know how I can make such impacts better and more beneficial to you and the society.

Kindly share them on this dedicated WhatsApp group:  click on

DR UZO CLOCKS 60 https://chat.whatsapp.com/IAoVN2MSJeF2XHrcy9AhJJ

You may also email them to dr.uzo.clocks.60@gmail.com using ‘DR UZO CLOCKS 60: Your Name, Your Country’, as the Subject of your message.

 

5.     From your media, I’ll be most pleased to watch/listen/read your news, articles, views, etc. about me, my life, and my work during all or any part of my past 60 years on earth. In addition to what you already know and can get from others and the Internet about me, please find this link to my citation at 60 

https://druzodinmadirieje.blogspot.com/2024/01/citation-dr-uzodinma-adirieje-as-he.html for the value of an additional guide.

Kindly share the writing and or their link/URL on this dedicated WhatsApp group:  click on

DR UZO CLOCKS 60 https://chat.whatsapp.com/IAoVN2MSJeF2XHrcy9AhJJ

You may also email them to dr.uzo.clocks.60@gmail.com using ‘DR UZO CLOCKS 60: Your Name, Your Country’, as the Subject of your message.

 

Both the WhatsApp group and emails shall run from 1 February till midnight local time on 25 February 2024; for these messages only.

 

Kindly note that the above WhatsApp platform and email address are solely to receive the above specific messages and information about me, for my 60^th birthday. 

 

Please do not post, share, send, or forward any message on any other subject.

 

Thank you for your time and friendship. Happy New Month!

 

Sincerely,

Uzodinma ADIRIEJE

Citation: DR. UZODINMA ADIRIEJE as He Clocks 60 on 25 February 2024

Citation on DR. UZODINMA ADIRIEJE as He Clocks 60 on 25 February 2024 

 

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje (Nigerian) is a Health Economist, professional Evaluator, Researcher, ‘One Health’, Human Security and Development Advocate/Campaigner, independent Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Consultant, Certified Management Trainer/Facilitator; Climate Change, Energy and Biodiversity Advocate, Certified Projects/Programmes/Management Consultant, Certified Management Specialist, and PMERLT (Project/Programme Planning/Management, M&E, Research and Learning/Training) Expert; Conference Organizer, Columnist/Writer, Rights Activist, and Facilitator. He is the CEO of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) – the CSOs global Network and Think-tank that has more than 2,300 (Two Thousand Three Hundred) member organizations in 106 (one hundred and six) countries across the World. He is AHOA’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and President of the Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN). Uzodinma serves as the Administrator/Moderator of 136 (One Hundred and Thirty-six) WhatsApp Groups on various projects/programmes and development interventions. 

 

Dr. Adirieje is a ‘One Health’ Champion and Reproductive Health Advocate, Development Worker, Health and Community Systems Strengthening Specialist, and Community leader. On 29 January 2024, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje was elected as the Chairperson of the Global Civil Society Consortium on Climate Change and the Conferences of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (GCSCCC) – a worldwide/global consortium of civil society organizations and communities engaged in climate change issues. A global civil society leader and founder of the Dr Uzo Adirieje Foundation (DUZAFOUND), Dr Uzo’ (as he’s fondly called) is the National Chairman, of the Civil Society Organizations Strategy Group, Nigeria (CSOSG-SDGs Nigeria) to which more than 80,000 organizations in Nigeria are members; National Chairman and Technical Working Group (TWG) Lead of the Nigerian Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (NiPBES) - co-organizers with UNESCO of ‘Science Advice COVID-19: in the context of biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration’; Member, Technical Committee on Draft Standards for Renewable Energy of the Standards Organization of Nigeria; and Global Coordinator of the Civil Society Actions on Climate, Energy and Biodiversity (CiSACEB) Programme at Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA); and Global Coordinator/Founder of the ‘Disability, Elderly, Women, Vulnerable and Youth (DEWVY) Project of AHOA, and Initiator of the After50 Group Club.

 

A consummate teacher, mentor and facilitator, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje has provided scores of presentations, mentorship and papers. During the past thirteen years, been teaching and providing training and mentorship in the following professional courses: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E); Health, Community and Development Systems Strengthening; Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM); Gender Mainstreaming in Development; Project and Programme Management; Leadership Development and Organizational Management; and Proposal Writing, Fundraising and Resource Mobilization.  

Uzodinma Adirieje is a pioneer Fellow and National President, of the Nigeria Association of Evaluators (NAE) 2019-2022, and the consultant who drafted Nigeria’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Policy which was approved by the Nigerian Government. He’s a key participant in Nigeria’s national evaluation of the Sustainable Development Goals 3 & 4. He is an active participant in the African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) and recipient of the 2022 Recognition Award from the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE) for his “enduring commitment and valuable contributions”. He holds a ‘Certificate of Participation’ from the 7th International Conference on National Evaluation Capacities (NEC 2022) with the theme ‘Resilient National Evaluation Systems for Sustainable Development’ held at the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) in Turin, Italy, 25-28 October 2022; and organized by the UNDP in collaboration with the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI). In 2022, Dr Adirieje was one of 8 Africans selected by qualification to participate in the six-week maiden Boot Camp of the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE). Uzodinma Adirieje was the Chairperson of Nigeria’s National World Malaria Day Committee in 2019; Conference Manager of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in 2005, and Projects Coordinator of the Nigeria National Health Conferences in 2006 and 2009 respectively.  

 

Uzodinma is a member of the ‘Every Woman Coalition’ global group, and his activities in ending gender-based violence (GBV)/violence against women and girls (VAWG) earned him the ‘1000 Voices Fellow’ from ‘Every Woman Treaty’ in 2021. Also, in 2021, Dr. Adirieje led the Advocacy Mission to H.E. President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, which led to the endorsement of the ‘Every Woman Treaty’ on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly. He was Convener of ‘Taming the Monster: Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Against Women and Girls During and After COVID-19 Pandemic’, as part of ‘16 Days of Activism’ in 2020.  Adirieje is the Global Coordinator of the ‘Civil Society for Elimination of Gender-Based Violence project and author of ‘Female Circumcision/FGM: 40 Dangerous Effects Parents and Relations Must Know 1999’. He is a signatory to ‘Safer Sooner: Toward a Global Binding Norm to End Violence Against Women and Girls’. 

 

In 2019, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria appointed and inaugurated Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje a member of the National Steering Committee of the Federal Government’s Alternate School Programme (ASP) to address the challenge of Education for out-of-school children in Nigeria, especially in Northern Nigeria. As a researcher and consultant to some United Nations and International Organizations, Uzodinma was the National Team Supervisor and Data Collection Team Leader (data collector, data analyst and data quality assessment) Nigeria Malaria Matchbox Equity Assessment among Internally Displaced Persons/Women and Refugees in the crises-ridden Northeaster Nigeria in 2020’, funded by the Global Fund. He was the keynote speaker on ‘Mitigating the dangers and risks for Nigerian women entrepreneurs post COVID-19’; Project Coordinator, Study of the Impact, Challenges and Long-term implication of Nigeria’s Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Programme, 2006-2007; Principal Investigator (PI)/consultant to UNAIDS/ILO/UNDP/NACA on ‘Situational Assessment for a National Framework for Private Sector Response and Public-Private Partnerships on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, 2004-2005; Etc.

Dr. Adirieje was the Lead Facilitator for the training of 1,620 women, girls and youths in 81 communities across Nigeria’s 9 oil-producing states in the Niger Delta to stop violence/unrest in oil communities and engage government in development. Dr. Adirieje promotes research and development strategies in climate change, renewable energy, vulnerability, mitigation and adaptation as well as low carbon economy technologies. He is a Federal Government of Nigeria Certified/Licensed Management Trainer and Facilitator; and holds the Certificate in Advanced Management Training/Facilitation from Nigeria’s elite Centre for Management Development, Lagos, Nigeria.  He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), Fellow of the African Scientific Institute (FASI), Fellow of the Institute of Management Specialists (FIMS), Fellow of the Afrihealth Optonet Association (FAHOA), and Fellow, the Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (FSEE). 

 

Uzodinma Adirieje’s interests traverse the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as it affects Nigeria/Africa; adoption of international best practices in mitigation and adaptation using climate resilient actions; mobilizing businesses and industry to invest in renewables to avoid disruptions, including resilience to weather-related impacts of climate change; developing and strengthening the capacity of rural and poor urban communities and climate change activists in such areas as solar panel assembly and manufacturing, assembly of solar components and devices, mini-grid design and deployment and application of internet-of-things (IOT) for systems and development, and producing Climate Change focal points in schools and communities, for climate change interventions. Uzodinma strongly advocates progressive investments in Climate Finance Instruments, Climate Investments, Digital and Circular Economy, Carbon Economy, and Climate Smart Agriculture for effective and result-based adaptation and mitigation of the climate crisis in the world. 

 

During 2012-2013, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje was the Technical Adviser to Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Conference Coordinator for the 2nd GlobalPOWER Women Network Africa (GPWNA) High-Level Meeting (HLM), organized by the Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the African Union and with the support of UNAIDS. He’s the National Chairman of the Civil Society Organizations Strategy Group on the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria (CSOSG-SDGs); a Consultant who drafted Nigeria’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Policy which was approved by the Nigerian Government; and produced Nigeria’s SDG-3/Health Evaluation synthesis. He’s a key participant in Nigeria’s national evaluation of the Sustainable Development Goals 3 & 4; an active participant in the African Evaluation Association and a recipient of the 2022 Recognition Award from the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation for his “enduring commitment and valuable contributions”. He’s a Member of the National Technical Working Group on M&E; a member, of the National Core Working Group on 2020 Voluntary National Review (VNR), and Chairman, of the Civil Society Response for Nigeria’s 2020 VNR; Technical Consultant in the Evaluation of Nigeria’s National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) 2016-2022; among others. He was an alternate focal point/member of the Steering Committee and Chair of the Finance and External Relations Committee at the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations Alliance (REEEA Alliance, Nigeria). Adirieje participated in the 2018 African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) in Nairobi and the 2018 meetings/activities of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). 

 

During 2017-2018, Adirieje was Project Director of the vastly media-reported ‘Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP) in Nigeria’s Niger Delta’ Project funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), which addressed many Energy, Environment and SDGs challenges across 81 communities/local government areas (LGAs) in 9 States Niger Delta. 

 

Uzodinma has over twenty years of proven competencies in managing/supporting and evaluating projects, policies, programmes and interventions that enhance results/productivity, accountability, inclusivity and transparency in Society Welfare/Social Safety nets, Development Work, Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Health; using Partnerships/Collaborations, Advocacy, Research/Evidence, Capacity/Organizational Development, Community Engagements, and Outreach interventions. Dr Adirieje is a gender activist, and author of the ‘Female Circumcision (Female Genital Mutilation): 40 Dangerous Effects Parents and Relations Must Know; and Nutrition for All Ages - A Pocket Guide (publications now catalogued at the Media/Materials Clearinghouse of the Johns Hopkins University, USA, for worldwide distribution, as M/MC ID#: PL NGA 318 and 398 respectively)’. He’s successfully conceptualised/planned and managed scores of local and international conferences, workshops, trainings, seminars, symposia, research, advocacy, health and development programmes, projects and activities/interventions. 

 

A consummate community leader per excellence, Adirieje has served his ancestral communities in several ways including being the President of the Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL), General Secretary of the Igbo States Development Union Lagos, General Secretary of the Orsu LGA Towns Development Union (OLGADU) Lagos, President General of the Ebenasaa Autonomous Community in Orsu LGA of Imo State, President of the Abia State University Alumni Association Abuja Nigeria (ABSUAA), and so on.

 

As a Catholic Church adherent, and a member of the noble order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), Dr High Chief, Sir Uzodinma Adirieje has been Grand Chief Protocol Officer, KSJI, Abuja Grand Commandery; 1^st Vice President, St. Martin Commandery of the KSJI, Lugbe; former Local Commander, St. Agnes Commandery, Wuye; Pioneer President, Lugbe Deanery Catholic Men Organizations [LDCMO]; 2 terms President, St. Martin Parish CMO; Chief PRO, Abuja Archdiocesan CMO; Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), St. Martin Parish; member, Cathedral Building Committee, Abuja Catholic Archdiocese; Member, Abuja Archdiocesan Pastoral Council; etc. 

 

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje holds the Nze-na-Ozo traditional title of Nze Akuzuobodo, and the chieftaincy titles of High Chief Ugwumba of Amaruru Clan, Ahaejiejemba Ebenasaa, Ahaejiejemba Amaruru, Ahaejiejemba Ndigbo Lagos State, etc. He is Ezinna CMO [Catholic Men Organization], St. John of the Cross Parish, Amaruru, Orlu Diocese; ­Ezinna CWO [Catholic Women Organization], St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja; Patron of CWO, St. John of the Cross Parish, Amaruru, Orlu Diocese; Patron of CYON [Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria], St. John of the Cross Parish, Amaruru, Orlu Diocese; Patron of St. Cecilia Choir, St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja; Patron of Divine Mercy, Abuja Catholic Archdiocese; etc. He is officially honoured as the Ambassador of Education, Orsu LGA, Imo State. Dr. Uzo’ is joyfully married to his bestie-for-life Lady (Chief) Edith Uzo Adirieje, Lolo Ugosimba, Ezidibuogaranya, Eziadaukwu, former President of the CWO, St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja; and they have three children namely Chibueze, Chinaza and Chinemezu. His late parents are Honourable Chief (Nze) Adirieje Fredrick Akujekwe and Nneoma (Lolo) Esther Ahuruchi Adirieje Akujekwe, of Umuogu village, Ebenasaa/Amaruru, Orsu Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. 

 

Over the last three decades, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje has received several awards for his numerous contributions to humanity and the professions, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the CSR Reporters, Hall of Fame Award of Professional and Philanthropic Excellence from the ISTDAL, Presidential Award for Membership Growth from the International President of Rotary International, Distinguished Service Award from Rotary International District 914, Exemplary Catholic Man of Honour from the Ancient and Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International Commander 472 Abuja. The Orsu LGA has named and honoured him as Ambassador of Education of the LGA. He has been honoured as Grand Patron of the ISTDAL, Grand Patron of OLGADU, and Patron of several other groups. 

 

Dr. Uzo’ was born on Tuesday, Afo market day, 25 February 1964. He is the second of the eight surviving children of his parents. Among the schools he attended are Community Primary School I, Amaruru; Eziachi Secondary School, Orlu; Federal School of Arts and Sciences, Ondo; Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria; etc. His hobbies include community work and discussions of contemporary issues. He owes his accomplishments to God's endless grace and mercy toward him and his concerns.

 

REPORT OF THE PRE-COP28 CIVIL SOCIETY WORKSHOPS ON THE IMPERATIVE OF SUSTAINABLE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN CLIMATE CHANGE, ORGANIZED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION (AHOA) AND SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT IN NIGERIA (SOCSEEN); 20-24 NOVEMBER 2023

REPORT OF THE PRE-COP28 CIVIL SOCIETY WORKSHOPS ON THE IMPERATIVE OF SUSTAINABLE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN CLIMATE CHANGE, ORGANIZED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION (AHOA) AND SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT IN NIGERIA (SOCSEEN); 20-24 NOVEMBER 2023

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) is a global and community-focused CSOs Network and Think-tank of over 2,300 organizations in 106 countries across all the continents, for the promotion of Development Work, the SDGs, and Health - as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. AHOA uses partnership/collaboration, advocacy, communication, research/evidence-generation, capacity development, outreaches, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) as strategies; to benefit rural and poor urban dwellers, marginalized, vulnerable and disadvantaged populations of women, children, youth, adolescents, people with disability, orphans and elderly. During 2017-2018, it implemented the ‘Sustainable Citizen Participation in Nigeria’s Niger Delta’ Project funded by United Nations Democracy Fund; which addressed climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity, ecosystems, environment and other SDGs challenges across 81 communities/LGAs in Niger Delta - home to more than 30 million people.

The AHOA Network explores the nexus between Health – UHC, PHC, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, NCDs, Vaccines and COVID-19; Energy and Environment - biodiversity, environment, ecosystems, renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation and climate change; Nutrition/micronutrients and Food Security; Gender, Democracy, Good Governance and Human Rights. AHOA is in Consultative Status at UN ECOSOC, and an Accredited Observer status at the UNEP/UNEA.

 

The Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN) – a.k.a. Society for Environment and Energy (SEE) is a Climate, Energy, Environment nexus Association of multi-sectoral stakeholders with interests/involvements in Biodiversity, Environment, Ecosystems, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Climate Change and Conservation (BEEREEECCC). Trained by Energy Commission of Nigeria on Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Conservation (2011), it serves as Executive, Council for Renewable Energy Nigeria; Chairman, National TWG, Nigeria Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services – co-organizers with UNESCO, of ‘Science Advice COVID-19: in the context of biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration’. It is an Alternate Focal Point/Member of the Steering Committee, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Alliance; Member of the Technical Committee on Draft Standards for Renewable Energy in Nigeria. SOCSEEN/AFRIHEALTH participated in the 2018 African Ministerial Conference on Environment, Nairobi, and meetings/activities of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE:

A total of 265 persons representing Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Communities and Stakeholders from 58 countries in Climate Change and Biodiversity participated in the 5 days Workshop on Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP) in the COP28 Dubai and Climate Control organized under the auspice of the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), and Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN)

The participants discussed the following:  

1.      Engaging with and promoting the voice of the populations most affected by the climate crises;

2.      Meaningful involvement of the civil society to strengthen and ensure effective climate actions at all levels;

3.      Resourcing local communities to promote their ability to transparently adapt to climate change and build resilience;

4.      Promoting climate and disaster risk-informed development interventions at all levels and all times, everywhere; and

5.      ‘Leave no one Behind’ in climate change decision-making processes at all levels everywhere

 

The participants observed that:

a.      The involvement of CSOs and local communities in Climate Change decision-making processes is essential. As national delegations proceed to UNFCCC’s COP28, we urge them to ensure that the views of their local constituencies are not only taken into account but acted upon and effectively represented in negotiations;

b.      Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) must be meaningfully included in all Climate negotiations, decision-making and implementation at all levels and work together to coordinate effective risk-informed policies and actions;

c.       Finance remains a critical enabler for accelerated climate actions, and must be made to reach local communities who themselves should be central to decision-making around how it is spent. It is essential to allocate sufficient resources towards enhancing the ability of communities to adapt to climate change and build resilience and to do so transparently;

d.      Investing in climate adaptation, mitigation and disaster reduction remains a desired ethical imperative and smart economic choice as the best way to invest in security and safety for all. The imperative of risk-informed development is also informed by the recent tragic collapse of the dams and loss of lives in Libya; and

e.       Meaningful inclusion across all decision-making levels on climate change involves taking a ‘whole-of-society’ approach and including those less visible, less heard, and most vulnerable and marginalized, so as to ‘Leave no one Behind’ in tackling the climate crisis.

 

The participants expressed their concerns that:

a.       CSOs at global and local levels have not being supported enough to provide/get be involved in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation sensitization, trainings, workshops and seminars which are critical to ending the climate crises;

b.      There is an urgent need to stop cutting down trees for wood fuel, stop the environmentally destructive production of charcoal, and promote biomass as a source of fuel and clean, renewable energy;

c.       Industrialization should be promoted from the grassroots to enhance entrepreneurship, in addition to knowledge dissemination, economic support and skills development;

d.      The importance and roles of the civil society/NGOs as key players and models for Climate Control interventions are not being harnessed, as they have greater approachability and acceptance among the communities;

e.       Governments and Multilateral Agencies have not succeeded in community empowerment to enable the people to create strategies to tackle climate crises, e.g. creating waterways to accommodate flooding during the rains, thus mitigating the crisis; and

f.        Climate change is real and nobody is free from its devastating consequences. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the dangers of climate change. To combat it we must involve everybody by first educating them on what climate change is and its effect and then enlightening communities on what each and everyone can do to mitigate and cope with climate change.

 

a.   The participants recommend/request:

a.       The involvement of local knowledge and practices are demonstrably more effective in producing and implementing adaptive national and global strategies than those that do not. We insist that climate negotiators and policymakers listen to and engage with those at the frontline while representing their views at COP28.

b.      The UNFCCC and the COP host countries should work together to put in place favourable and tangible conditions for the participation of CSOs in national delegations’ contributions to climate negotiations. AHOA is concerned by reports from our members that civil society badge allocation for in-person attendance at COP28 has decreased significantly compared to COP27.

c.      Virtual attendance is no substitute for in-person attendance, particularly for CSOs from the global south whose voices need to be heard and whose representatives need to engage with their peers in global policy spaces. Only through such engagement can we achieve meaningful and effective action on climate change adaptation at a global level.

d.     Governments should see and treat/relate with the civil society as critical partners in development, climate change adaptation, and impact mitigation, and the COPs;

e.      Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) must be encouraged by governments, businesses, and development partners to continue to play their critical roles of promoting partnerships/collaboration, advocacy and social mobilization, research and evidence-generation, capacity development and learning, outreaches and community engagement, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of climate control and COPs processes;

f.       There is an urgent need for government agencies to involve local CSOs and community actors in planning and implementing realistic and effective actions on climate change and the COPs processes, as they represent the people, know the conditions they face, and can proffer realistic and achievable solutions to the effects of climate change;

g.      The UNFCCC should support the implementation of the Climate Change resilience action in partnership with the civil society and communities, and as informed by changing national circumstances, local communities, women, youth, elderly, elderly, physically disabled as well as with Indigenous peoples;

h.      It is imperative that national planning and international development policymakers reinforce existing critical infrastructure, plan for the future, and support resilient infrastructure and industries that future-proof our lives, livelihoods, societies, and economies; and

i.        All climate change and COPs stakeholders should create and enhance spaces to meaningfully participate in decision-making processes for women, youth, elderly, Indigenous Peoples, persons living with disabilities, migrant and displaced populations, and other often marginalized communities.

 

The participants resolved to/call for:

1.      Advocating for a more inclusive and collaborative approach, overcoming political resistance to civil society involvement to continue advocacy on climate action and health nexus;

2.      Increased Representation of the civil society and communities through diverse representation from various sectors, including indigenous peoples, women, youth, and marginalized communities, as the lack of representation hinders effective participation;

3.      Increasing access to climate change and COP information, improving transparency by providing accessible and understandable information to civil society, using information, communication and technology, and effective multilingual communication, especially regarding the host countries for the COPs;

4.      Increasing investments in capacity-building programmes to enhance the understanding of climate change issues and negotiation processes among civil society organizations and communities;

5.      Creating and Supporting inclusive platforms for civil society and community representatives such as AHOA, to actively participate in discussions and decision-making processes around the COPs and climate crises; and

6.      Call for the creation and sustainable funding of climate disaster risk funds at all levels to be devoted to unforeseen issues brought about by the prevailing climate crises.

 

APPRECIATION:

The participants expressed support and appreciation for the leadership roles played by the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) and Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN) to ensure the meaningful involvement of the Civil Society and Communities in the ongoing global and local efforts to end the climate crises through adaptation and impact mitigation, and use of the UNFCCC COPs as one of the approaches to realize them. The global Civil Society reaffirms its commitment and support for these processes.

Signed:

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje

CEO, AHOA; and President, SOCSEEN

27 November 2023

Invitation to the 2024 Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA)'s World Cancer Day Awareness and Mobilization Campaign, 5 February 2024 (Virtual Event)

  A F R I H E A L T H    O P T O N E T    A S S O C I A T I O N   (A H O A)

Invitation to the 2024 World Cancer Day Awareness and Mobilization Campaign, 5 February 2024 (Virtual Event) 

On behalf of the International Advisory Board (IAB) of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), the Chairperson H.E. Dr. Thokozona Khupe, PhD, former Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe; and Co-chairperson H.E. Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, OON, former Minister of Health of Nigeria; invite you to the 2024 World Cancer Day Awareness and Mobilization Campaign being organized by Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), in association with the Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN),  and the Dr Uzo Adirieje Foundation (DUZAFOUND). 

Under the distinguished Chairmanship of H.E. Prof. Adenike Grange;

Former Honourable Minister of Health, Nigeria  

Welcome Address by: 

H.E. Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, OON; 

Co-chairperson, International Advisory Board (IAB), Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA); 

Former Honourable Minister of Health, Nigeria 

 

Keynote Address/Special Guest of Honour:

H.E. Prof. M. Ali Pate, CON; 

Coordinating Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria 

 

TOPIC: Closing the Persisting Knowledge and Care Gaps in Cancer Control

 

Subtopics/Panel Sessions and Country Case Reports:    

1. Closing the Knowledge Gap in Cancer Control (Malawi, Uganda, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, etc.) 

2. Closing the Care Gap in Cancer Control (Nigeria. Kenya, Ethiopia, etc.)

3. What else needs to be done in Cancer Control (Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, etc.) 

 

Registration Link: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lf-GrrTsiGNP8pSFfba5c2J61rX8WlWbv

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

When: Feb 5, 2024 02:00 PM – 5:00 PM West Central Africa

Equivalent times:

Afghanistan - 5:30 PM 

Argentina - 10 AM 

Brazil - 10 AM 

Costa Rica - 7 AM 

Egypt - 4 PM 

India - 6:30 PM 

Kenya - 4 PM 

Kyrgyzstan - 7 PM 

Liberia - 1 PM 

Madagascar - 4 PM 

Mali - 1 PM 

Nepal - 6:45 PM 

Nigeria - 2 PM 

Pakistan - 6 PM 

Puerto Rico - 9 AM 

Sudan - 3 PM 

Toronto, Canada - 9 AM 

Tunisia - 2 PM 

Turkmenistan - 6 PM 

Uganda - 4 PM 

UK – 1 PM 

USA & Canada – 8 AM 

Venezuela - 9 AM 

Yemen - 4 PM 

1:00 PM (GMT): United Kingdom, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Liberia, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali 

2.00 PM: Germany, France, Nigeria, Angola, Congo, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Benin 

3.00 PM: South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Sudan, Rwanda, Botswana, Burundi, Mozambique, Malawi, South Sudan 

4.00 PM: Russia, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Turkey, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar 

4.30 PM: Iran 

5.00 PM: UAE, Oman 

6.30 PM: Sri Lanka 

6.45 PM: Nepal 

7.00 PM: Bangladesh, Bhutan 

8.00 PM: Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand 

9.00 PM: Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong 

 

The Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) is a global membership Network and Think-tank uniquely composed of both civil society and community-focused organizations. By harnessing the experience, resources, and reach of its more than 2,300 duly registered Member/Partner organizations from 106 (One Hundred and Six) countries, and the input of the experts and stakeholders among its 38,000 plus members Google Group, AHOA has become a third-sector global player, partner, project/programme developer, implementer, monitor and reporter on the pulse and state of the civil society and rural/poor urban communities from all the continents; in all issues relating to better health-for-all and sustainable development, and the measures needed to achieve and safeguard them.

As a Networking Organization, AHOA promotes sustainable citizen participation (SCP) to address, prevent and mitigate disasters, wars, escalation of weapons, global warming, famine, water shortage, floods, epidemics/pandemics, diseases, poverty, capacity challenges, food security, radioactive contamination, electromagnetic field (EMF) risks to life, cyber risks, economics, governance, gender-based violence (GBV), violence against women and girls (VAWG), and cross-generational resource challenges.  

As a Non-State actor representing, working with, and reaching target populations in 106 (One Hundred and Six) countries across all the continents, AHOA is therefore well-positioned and available to Governments, Development Partners, Agencies, Institutions, Professional Bodies and Organizations in reaching (and defining/finetuning) their objectives, advancing their work and achieving their target/mandates. 

As a Networking Organization, AHOA promotes sustainable citizen participation (SCP) to address, prevent and mitigate human and development challenges including disasters, wars, escalation of weapons, global warming, famine, water shortage, floods, epidemics/pandemics, diseases, poverty, capacity challenges, housing, transport, food security, radioactive contamination, electromagnetic field (EMF) risks to life, cyber risks, economics, governance, gender-based violence (GBV), violence against women and girls (VAWG), and cross-generational resource challenges.   

AHOA’s position as a global CSO network and Think-tank has continued to give thousands of CSOs, non-profits, and non-state actors, the needed platform to voice, network, capacitate and flourish. The AHOA Movement and its members/partners are committed and involved in the promotion of Development Work, Sustainable Development including the SDGs, and Health - as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

 AHOA uses partnership/collaboration, advocacy, communication, research/evidence-generation, capacity development, outreaches, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E) as strategies; to benefit rural and poor urban dwellers, marginalized, vulnerable, and disadvantaged populations of women, children, youth, adolescents, people with disability, orphans, widows, victims of disasters, homeless/destitute, and elderly.

The AHOA Network explores the nexus between Health – UHC, PHC, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, NTDs, NCDs, Vaccines, and COVID-19; Energy and Environment - biodiversity, environment, ecosystems, renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation, and climate change; Nutrition/micronutrients and Food Security; Gender, Democracy, Good Governance, and Human Rights.

To promote equity in participation, AHOA does not demand any compulsory financial/material commitment from organizations/entities to become members. Intending members are only required to complete a membership/partnership form, and an institutional capacity needs assessment form. Members/Partners do not pay registration/membership fees, dues or levies. To sustain the organization, members/partners and stakeholders willingly make voluntary donations, and serve/participate voluntarily in the activities of the Network, from time to time. AHOA is also entitled to receive/benefit from grants, endowments, waivers, subventions, awards, bursaries, contributions, donations, etc. from within and outside the Network.  

AHOA is in Consultative Status at UN ECOSOC, and an Accredited Observer status at the UNEP/UNEA. 

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, CMC, CMTF, FIMC, FIMS, FNAE, FASI, FSEE, FAHOA 

Health Economist; Certified Evaluation and Projects/Programmes Management Consultant; Conferences and Workshops Organizing Expert; Researcher; Health/Development, Climate Change/Biodiversity and Human Rights Advocate; Facilitator/Trainer; Blogger; Writer/Columnist 

CEO & Main Representative to the United Nations, 

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) - CSOs Global Movement and Think-tank for Health and Development 

(Winner of the SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing Champion Award);_ 

1 Taiwo Close, MCC Rd, P.O. Box 1484, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria 

Plot 520, FHA Estate, Lugbe, Airport Rd; P.O. Box 8880, Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria  

Twitter: @uaadirieje; https://twitter.com/uaadirieje; https://twitter.com/afrihealthcso; @DAdirieje; @afrihealthcso; @4Sust; @Uzo_dr 

Email: afrepton@gmail.com, socseenigeria@gmail.com 

Instagram: @druzoadirieje; https://www.instagram.com/druzoadirieje/ 

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/uzoadirieje; https://web.facebook.com/afrihealthcsos; 

Skype: druzoadirieje, uaadirieje@yahoo.com; 

Zoom: uaadirieje@yahoo.com     

LinkedIn: https://ng.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Dr.+Uzodinma/Adirieje 

Phone, Telegram & WhatsApp: +234 803 472 5905 

Website: http://www.afrihealthcsos.org  

https://druzodinmadirieje.blogspot.com   

https://uzoadirieje.wordpress.com/blog/ 

https://afrihealthoptonetassociation.blogspot.com