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Activities Organised by CIRDDOC in 2006

January 18, 2006
CIRDDOC Nigeria in collaboration with Nigeria Social Forum (NSF) convened a symposium with theme, Third Term Bid and Godfatherism: Strategising against Elected Authoritarianism. The symposium was organized to mark January 18 ‘A DAY OF ACTION’ as declared by NSF against the third term agenda of President Olusegun Obasanjo. The event that took place at Dannic Hotel, Enugu recorded in attendance participants from the southeast states, which include the CSOs, party representatives, politicians, church group, media and press.

April 10 – May 5, 2006
Women groups in Enugu State in a Press Conference at Dannic Hotels decried the non-inclusion of issues affecting women in the on-going review of the 1999 constitution, a development they described as discrimination and disrespect for womanhood. The group argued that the constitution review committee had not considered any of the memoranda submitted by women. The conference, which was called by CIRDDOC in conjunction with Coalition of Eastern NGOs (CENGOS) and National Coalition on Affirmative Action (NCAA) recorded the attendance of the Special Adviser to the President on Women Affairs, Chief Mrs. Josephine Aninih, the Executive Director CIRDDOC, Mrs. Oby Nwankwo, the Executive Director WACOL, Mrs. Joy Ezilo, the State Coordinator CENGOS, and Dr. Frank Asogwa among others.

May 9, 12 & 15, 2006
To extend and restructure the HBF project and take it to greater heights, CIRDDOC designed under the new project structure the activities of the Community Information Centres to be more programme based. In furtherance of this objective, a one-day training workshop on Ensuring Popular Participation & Accountability at the Local Government Level through Town Hall Meetings was organised. The one-day workshop empowered the stakeholders in attendance on how to hold their elected representatives accountable through open and constructive dialogue – Town Hall Meetings. It was a serial training held at Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra States.

April 12 – 14, 2006
CIRDDOC organised 3-day computer training for NGOs. This was in line with the agreement with Kabissa to step down the online training to NGOs.

Jun 6, 2006
At the interactive discussion segment of a breakfast programme, HAKUNA MATATA on a commercial radio station, COSMO FM located at Independence Layout, Enugu, CIRDDOC provided a space for legal practitioners, academicians, civil society organisations and the general public to argue against or in favour of the abolishment of Capital Punishment (excursion).

June 16, 2006
CIRDDOC organised an internal capacity building workshop for its staff on Project Monitoring and Evaluation. The one-day training looked at Project Cycle from Identification, Preparation/Planning, Appraisal, Negotiation, and Implementation/Monitoring through Evaluation.

June 22 – 24, 2006
CIRDDOC Nigeria in collaboration with IPAS organized a one-day South East Regional Sensitization Workshop on Reproductive Rights for IPAS Partners. The workshop was aimed at sensitizing IPAS Partners on the need to engage members of the public and parliamentarians on the need for legal reform in the area of women’s reproductive rights.

June 29, 2006
In a bid to generate further awareness among a broad section of Nigerians on the relevance of the Freedom of Information Bill, a one-day sensitisation workshop was organised by CIRDDOC in collaboration with Media Rights Agenda with support from PACT Nigeria.

August 3, 2006
CIRDDOC Nigeria in collaboration with the Coordinating Committees of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) & Electoral Reform Network (ERN) with support from Global Rights organized a Forum on the 2007 Elections South East Zone. The forum among others focused on the need to broaden stakeholders' participation in the electoral process with a view to building consensus on key issues critical to the conduct of a free and fair election in 2007 and the need to agree on a workable strategy towards the 2007 elections.

August – December 2006
One of the vital ways of encouraging people to participate in governance is by facilitating open dialogue (Town Hall Meeting) between elected representatives and their constituents, which also promotes transparency. In view of the above, CIRDDOC in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation (HBF) organised Town Hall Meetings spread across the senatorial zones of Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states.

September 14 – 17, 2006
The South East Social Forum Coordinating Committee headed by CIRDDOC organised the first South East Social Forum at Owerri, Imo State. The South East Social Forum is an offshoot of the World Social Forum, the Africa Social Forum, the West Africa Social Forum and the Nigeria Social Forum. The forum provides a space for activists and civil society organisations to bring their issues and challenge operation and neo-liberalist policies. The South East Social Forum attracted participants from the six geopolitical zones in the country.

September 22, 2006
Under-representation of women in politics and in public life is a common feature in Nigeria and a source of concern to many. In furtherance of its objective to increase the level of political participation of women in Nigeria, CIRDDOC with support from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA) and Heinrich Boll Foundation (HBF) organised a capacity building workshop for female political aspirants on Confidence and Esteem Building, the New Electoral Act and Political Organising.

November 18, 2006
CIRDDOC with support from Heinrich Boll Foundation (HBF) sponsored an interactive Igbo Radio Phone-in Programme (Kaohamalu) for Female Political Aspirants in Enugu State. The programme, which solicited support for female aspirants also, aimed at sensitising the general public and the electorates on the need to allow women some space in the political arena and entrust them with political (appointive and elective) offices. A similar programme was organised for their counterparts on December 3rd and 5th in Anambra and Ebonyi States respectively.

November 21, 2006
CIRDDOC convened the Global Fund for Women (GFW) inaugural meeting in Lagos during the Nigeria and West Africa Social Forum scheduled for 20th to 24th November 2006. The meeting provided a forum for grantees to come together, learn about each other’s work and explore modalities for networking and collaboration. The meeting, which was fully sponsored by GFW, attracted over fifty participants. Programme Officer, Muadi Mukenge, represented the GFW.

November 22, 2006
CIRDDOC Nigeria in collaboration with the Macarthur Foundation organised a National Tribunal on the Violation of the Reproductive Health and Rights of Women. The Tribunal, which provided a forum for victims of human rights abuse to speak out against the violations and attract public condemnations of the abuses, also aimed at creating awareness of the violations and seeking redress. The one-day event held at Women Development Centre (WDC) Lagos was also used to mark the 3rd Nigeria/West Africa Social Forum.

Internal Capacity Building / Activities Participated in by Cirddoc

February 6 – 9, 2006
In its resolve to maximize impact of the first two phases for the development of communication Strategies for Enugu State, PATHS organized a Communication Framework Development Workshop. CIRDDOC alongside other PATHS partners and stakeholders participated in the 4-day workshop which sort to harmonize all the programs under communication.

February 21, 2006
As a prelude to the next general election in Nigeria, the South East based CSOs, NGOs and CBOs are desirous of mobilizing the civil society and taking a firm stand on the burning contemporary issues in Nigeria with a view to draw the Federal Government’s attention to the legitimate concerns of the citizenry as we approach the next general election. CIRDDOC was part of the wakeup call on the civil society in the southeast to link up with the CSOs in other parts of the country to show the road map and point the way to an enduring democracy.

February 27, 2006
The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Enugu in collaboration with UNICEF organized a planning meeting of a Field Office States. CIRDDOC and other partners were part of the 3-day meeting, which also prepared a proposal from a Program Plan of Action (PPA) for the year.

March 10, 2006
CIRDDOC was represented in the meeting convened by International Reproductive Institute (IRI) to officially launch the Nigeria Coalition for Political Development of Women. The initiative was borne out of the desire to build a strong and common front towards achieving an effective political participation and electoral representation of women in Nigeria.

April 1, 2006
Actionaid International in collaboration with WACOL organised a one-day consultative forum on Civil Society Index (CSI). This was a very important component within the overall objective of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index project to assess the state of civil society in countries around the world. CIRDDOC was represented at the forum that was held at WACOL Shelter, Emene, Enugu.

April 12 -13, 2006
A training workshop was organised by RUWEN with the aim of highlighting the current situation of women’s rights in Nigeria with special focus on Abia State, educating the leaders of CSOs, CBOs, the media, student union and other stakeholders on the rights of women and deliberating on how to promote and actualise these rights. The CIRDDOC Executive Director was a Resource Person at the 2-day workshop that took place at Patoria International Hotel, Aba.

May 1, 2006
As a follow up, a post training meeting was organised by PATHS at Dannic Hotels, Enugu to assess the already conducted trainings and add more value to the upcoming ones.

May 24 – 31, 2006
The Executive Director participated at the 6th CEDAW Country Periodic Report Writing: Harmonization of Data and Peer Review Meeting organized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs at Rock View Hotels, Abuja. During the meeting, CIRDDOC presented a zonal report of data collected to the Ministry.

May 24, 2006
The Partnership for Transforming Health Systems (PATHS) organized a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the sustainability of its programme beyond its completion as well as a public expenditure review from the PATHS, State and Local Government perspective. CIRDDOC participated in the one-day event.

May 26 – 27, 2006
In a bid to initiate the formation of Health Sector Reform Coalition in each states of the Federation with the State Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria as the facilitator, the Federal Ministry of Health with support from PATHS organised a two-day coalition-building workshop. CIRDDOC was represented at the workshop held at the Ministry of Information conference hall, Government Secretariat Complex, Enugu.

June 12, 2006
Electoral Reform Network (ERN) in collaboration with the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and support from Global Rights organized a Planning Meeting for National Elections Stakeholders Forum. The aim of the meeting is to broaden stakeholders’ participation in the electoral process with a view to building consensus on key issues critical to free and fair elections in 2007 and building synergies between stakeholders and government agencies charged with elections administration and citizens’ education and mobilization. The meeting will enable participants to strategize on the effective working of the forum at the national and zonal level towards the 2007 elections. The meeting was attended by civil society actors from the 6 geo-political zones, representatives of government agencies, labour union and media.

June 13, 2006
CIRDDOC was represented at a Gender Partner’s Meeting held at Peace Haven Hotel Abuja. The meeting was organized by Actionaid International and was aimed at partnering with organizations that share the common ideology of bringing about gender equality through radically challenging and dismantling these patriarchal norms and practices. The partnership is expected to among other things offer a platform for identifying and creating awareness/sensitization on patriarchal norms and practices as the root cause of inequality.

June 16, 2006
TMG organised a one-day capacity building workshop for NGOs on developing advocacy and lobbying skills to promote electoral reforms in government agencies and other stakeholders at Kakafo Hotel, Ibadan. This was aimed at strengthening the capacity of NGOs within the TMG coalition to promote electoral reforms in order to ensure a substantial credible election in 2007. CIRDDOC was part of the workshop, which sort to train 36 NGOs selected from the six geo-political zones across the nation.

June 21, 2006
A meeting of TMG/ERN member organisations was convened at Denis Hotel, Abuja to deliberate on the issues and challenges from 2003 election, the civil society relation with INEC and overview the electoral processes with the aim of designing a strategy to ensure credible election come 2007. CIRDDOC was represented at the meeting in its capacity as a TMG member organisation.

June 23, 2006
In commemoration of the international women’s day, WIDO with support from EU organised a sensitisation seminar for widows and daughters of the lineage (Umuada) from the LGAs of Enugu state. CIRDDOC participated in the one-day seminar that was held at Jook Hotel, Enugu.

June 26 – 27, 2006
In the process of producing Nigeria’s 6th Periodic Report on CEDAW, CIRDDOC participated in the technical committee workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs on harmonisation of adopted geographical reports. The 2-day harmonisation meeting was held at Chida International Hotel, Abuja.

June 26 – 28, 2006
In the bid to actualise it’s principle, which says that every woman has a right to the highest attainable standard of health, IPAS organised a workshop for female participants drawn from NGOs and CBOs in the states of the federation. The national capacity building workshop on advocacy skill on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women in Nigeria held at Chida International Hotel, Abuja seeks to expose the participants to sexual and reproductive health and rights issues and the basics of advocacy. CIRDDOC participated in the 3-day long training.

June 27 – 28, 2006
A forum for stakeholders to discuss electoral violence within the context of 2007 elections was provided by IFES with support from USAID, with the objective of formulating strategies and specific action steps to prevent and mitigate electoral violence. CIRDDOC participated in the seminar held at the Ladi Kwali conference hall, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

June 27, 2006
CIRDDOC participated in the stakeholders’ workshop on Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Enugu and South East States organised by Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) at Top Rank Hotels Ltd, Enugu.

July 6, 2006
CIRDDOC participated at a National Forum on the 2007 Elections organized by the Transitional Monitoring Group (TMG). The forum is aimed at bringing stakeholders from both government and civil society together. Jerry Udochu, a Programme Officer, represented CIRDDOC.

August 7, 2006
As part of the processes of domesticating the provisions of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women) in Nigeria, a media breakfast meeting with the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs was convened at Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The CIRDDOC Executive Director was a Resource Person at the one-day meeting that recorded the attendance of media Chief Executives/Editors and the civil society organisations.

August 7, 2006
CIRDDOC attended a one-day Zonal workshop on Child Exploitation and Campaign on HIV/AIDS under the auspices of Nigeria Movement for Children. The workshop was organized by the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) in collaboration with UNICEF. The purpose of the workshop is to raise awareness and develop strategies for curbing incidences of HIV/AIDS and exploitation of children, in Enugu State.

August 16 – 17, 2006
LEADS Nigeria organised a Zonal Social Forum - Northwest Social Forum, an offshoot of the Nigeria Social Forum (NSF) to sanitise citizens in the zone and beyond on the benefits of the NSF. CIRDDOC participated in the 2-day event held at Federal Government College Kaduna.

August 24 – 25, 2006
As a follow up to the zonal meetings and a national conference convened by Global Rights on Nigeria’s electoral geography to identify and analyse voters’ experiences in different zones, a mandate protection training of trainers in the southeast was organised. CIRDDOC participated in the two-day training involving the civil society organisations which was held at Top Rank Hotels, Enugu to define and outline responses that the electorates can take to defend their votes from fraudulent electoral practices.

August 28 – 29, 2006
In line with NDI’s program objective of building the capacity of civil society organisations to prepare and mobilise Nigerians to register and vote in the 2007 general elections, it organised a two-day Voter Education and Domestic Monitors Master Training Workshop across the six geo-political regions of the country. CIRDDOC participated in the South East session at Roban Hotel, Enugu.

September 4 - 5, 2006
CIRDDOC participated in a two-day training workshop on Peace Mediation and Conflict Management organized by National Women Peace Group (NAWOPEG) Anambra State Chapter at Mano Hotels, Awka. Bridget Obi represented CIRDDOC.

September 13, 2006
CIRDDOC participated at a State Forum of Stakeholders Election Forum held at Zodiac Hotel, Enugu and organized by Independent National Electoral Commission, Enugu State. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss critical issues and challenges of the 2007 General Elections.

September 14, 2006
PACT Nigeria in collaboration with USAID organized a workshop at Lagos on Using Media as a Tool for Influencing Policy. The workshop was designed to build the capacity of participating organizations on methods of influencing policy using media as a tool. Participants were drawn from civil society organizations and those already working on budget tracking were asked to share their experiences. CIRDDOC participated at the workshop and was represented by one of its Programme Officers.

September 19 – 22, 2006
CIRDDOC participated in the Ogun Social Forum organised by the Civil Society Organisations as a prelude to the Southwest Social Forum, the Nigeria Social Forum and ultimately the World Social Forum slated for January 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya. The Social Forum held at the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State focused on the key areas that affect directly the life of the poorest of society at different levels.

September 27 – 28, 2006
The Independent National Electoral Commission organized a two-day Civil Society National Conference on the 2007 Elections at Protea Hotel Nike Lake Resort, Enugu. The conference was aimed at examining critical areas such as how the judicial system impacts on the electoral process and also draws the input of the civil society community as stakeholders to prepare for the 2007 elections. Highlights of the conference included a lead paper presented by the Executive Director of CIRDDOC on Administration of Justice in the Electoral System in Nigeria. CIRDDOC was represented by Jerry Udochu, a Programme Officer.

October 12 – 13, 2006
The International press Centre with the support of Henrich Boll Foundation organized a two-day Interface on the Media, Religion and Conflicts. The meeting is aimed at bringing editors and CSOs working on Conflict issues together. Highlights of the workshop included a presentation by Hameed Agbaremi of his study and the findings on Related Conflicts within the broader concept of Conflicts Sensitive Journalism.

October 12 – 13, 2006
CIRDDOC participated at the 1st South Social Forum held at Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Highlight of the occasion included a paper presentation by Dr. Chris Anki on Electoral Act and Popular Participation. He enjoined participants to partake fully at the forth-coming 2007 election.

October 18 – 19, 2006
Pact Nigeria as part of its participatory approach to program planning and implementation held a Stakeholders Evaluation Review Meeting. The meeting was aimed at providing an update of the program’s progress to date and new developments affecting the program. It is also aimed at providing an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the ADVANCE program and seek stakeholders’ inputs on a clear way forward for the project for Fiscal year 2007.

October 25, 2006
As government prepares to develop NEEDS 2, UNIFEM in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Nigeria Gender Budget Network organised a stakeholders’ workshop, which looked particularly at how effective NEEDS 1 has been in relation to gender equality. CIRDDOC participated in the one-day workshop, which also made recommendation with the aim of strengthening gender equality in NEEDS 2.

October 25 – 26, 2006
Actionaid International Nigeria organized a workshop at Ibadan on Influencing Policy of Education for civil society organizations working in the area of budget. Participants used the opportunity to share their experiences in budget tracking. As part of the experience sharing, a field trip was planned to one of the project sites in Lagos. CIRDDOC was represented at the workshop.

October 31, 2006
CIRDDOC was duly represented at an Igbo Radio discussion programme (Talk Talk) at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria on the Participation in Budget Process/Monitoring. A CIRDDOC representative gave an overview of budget situation in Enugu State stressing the need for citizens’ participation in budget process. He also gave an overview of the CIRDDOC/Actionaid/CEF project on budget tracking. The programme was organized by BBC World Service Trust.

November 12, 2006
CIRDDOC attended the 10th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of Widows Development Organization (WiDO). Highlights of the occasion included a presentation of award to CIRDDOC Nigeria for its outstanding performances.

November 16 - 18, 2006
A National Conference on Credible Elections and Democratic Sustenance was organized by the office of the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs. The objective of the conference among others is to develop a strategic, mutually supportive partnership to ensure the sensitization, mobilization and empowerment of the Nigerian people for credible elections and sustenance of democracy.

November 20 – 24, 2006
CIRDDOC participated in the third Nigeria Social Forum (NSF) held at the Women Development Centre, Lagos. The NSF is a meeting place where groups and movements of civil society opposed to neo-liberalism, imperialism and unbridled capitalism congregate to debate issues and ideas democratically. The first and second NSF was held in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

November 30, 2006
As the national coordinating body for women, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is charged with the responsibility of providing policy guidelines that would facilitate the implementation and realisation of gender parity in Nigeria. To achieve this mandate, the group organised a forum at Bolingo Hotel & Towers, Abuja to validate the findings in the process of developing a new National Policy as a replacement to the current National Policy on Women launched in 2000. CIRDDOC participated in the one-day meeting for key stakeholders in the Private Sectors, Development Partners, the Professional Groups and members of the Civil Society.

December 7 – 8, 2006
Pact Nigeria launched an ADVANCE program-sponsored, civil society-initiated Stick to the Issue Campaign at the Meridian Hotel, Abuja. CIRDDOC participated in the event, which was attended by the CSO partners or coalition members, designed to highlight the importance of issue accountability in the campaign environment. The 2-day event also called the attention of government, political parties, media and the electorate on the need for contestants for political office to remain focused on important social issues such as anti-corruption, poverty alleviation and human rights as they launch election campaigns across the country.

December 11 – 20, 2006
Actionaid International Nigeria in partnership with PACT Nigeria under the ADVANCE project organised a Budget Analysis and Advocacy Training (BAAT) to build the capacity of civil society in Nigeria in budget advocacy and monitoring. CIRDDOC participated in the eight-day training that took place at Gombe Jewel Hotel, Kaduna. The ADVANCE project was a USAID funded project.