AFRICAN REFUGEES FOUNDATION ORGANISES
A DISCOURSE ON PEACE EDUCATION AND DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY
THURSDAY 7TH DECEMBER, 2023 AT AREF’S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, SURULERE, LAGOS UNDER THE THEME: TROUBLED DEMOCRACY: INTERROGATING VIOLENCE, INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT & MIGRATION IN WEST AFRICA.
OVERVIEW OF THE DISCOURSE
The discourse is designed to rekindle interest in Peace and Democracy in order to fully contribute and understand Peace Education and what the democratic ethos entails.
Several citizens shun their rights to participate in civic activities yet keep on complaining about our politicians, that turn politics into a profession. One needs to be involved and add impetus to the democratic template. Peace Education is nurtured to stabilize the polity once the principles guiding its philosophy are strictly adhered to. Peace is synonymous to development, they are like Siamese twins, you can’t take one and leave the other.
The prevalence of abject poverty is an indication of inequity and injustice. Democratic principles outline indicators to look for in a sane society, in developed and developing nations. How to develop our Nation is the reason behind this discourse. We can constructively demand for our rights legitimately.
Wole Adediran Projects Executive African Refugees Foundation
pictures
Mr. Adebayo Olowo-Ake delivers his lecture on Deliberative Democracy and Migration in West Africa.
Pastor Opeoluwa Awoniyi expresses focal points on the issue of the discourse while Barrister Derinsola Jaiyeola listens to Mr. Awoniyi’s explanation.
Mr. Jimi Olusola III (AREF’s CEO) explains critical issues concerning Peace Education curriculum and Deliberative Democracy to participants.
Mr. Patrick Bawa, a participant makes observations and asked the speakers few questions.
Cross section of the Participants with Professor Kolawole Raheem sitting on the front row of seats.
Mr. Gbenga Feyisitan, a Trustee of African Refugees Foundation (AREF) listens with keen interest during the discourse.
(L-R) Mr. Jimi Olusola III (AREF’s CEO) in a group photograph with the Moderator (Mr. Bayo Adesoye, Mr. Adebayo Olowo-Ake (2nd Speaker) & Prof. Kolawole Raheem (1st Speaker)
Group Photograph of the Participants at the end of the Discourse.
AREF Visit to Children from Favoured Life International School, Modupe Johnson Crescent, Off Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere and Children school at Destitute Rehabilitation Centre Oko-Baba, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos on the 17th and 18th October, 2023 respectively.
Our visit to Destitute Rehabilitation Centre, Oko-Baba, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos state.
Those in Attendance includes : Mr. Wole Adediran-AREF, Mrs. Dunni Konibire -Clearsight, Mrs. Moji-Clearsight and Mr. Josehp Onoja-AREF.
On the 20th Day of June, 2023 while marking World Refugee Day, we donated Food palliatives to 150 residents of the Centre including the children school. Mrs. Dunni Konibire from Clearsight Education & Training Centre accompanied African Refugees Foundation (AREF). Invariably, she shared her experience with her boss – Mrs. Toyin Laditi, who charged her to put forward immediate needs she could render to the school children. After a while, Mrs. Konibire informed AREF that they were willing to donate some items to the children under the auspices of AREF, which was promptly approved by Mr. Jimi Olusola III.
AREF was charged to manage the delivery in conjunction with the Representatives of Clearsight. Wednesday 18/10/2023 by 12 Noon was fixed for this. The following items (1-7) were donated by Clearsight:
(1) 2 Big Mats
(2) I Marker Board
(3) 1 Carton of 40 Leaves Exercise Books
(4) 1 Pack of Pen
(5) 1 Pack of Eraser
(6) 1 Pack of Board Markers
(7) 1 Pack of Sharpeners
(8) 1 Carton of Biscuits
And these from AREF
(9) 1 Carton of Minerals
(10) I Carton of Biscuits
(11) 1 Kids Pretend-N-Play Tool Set
The Teacher in-charge of the school delightfully received us, led us to the children and introduced us properly. The class was in full session, they numbered up to 70. He confirmed that the population of the students is 120.
We discovered a significant improvement due to renovation of the classroom and works still on-going.
We spoke with them and promised to keep in touch with them anytime the opportunity comes because EVERY LITTLE HELPS. The children expressed their gladness and jointly prayed for us.
The visit was satisfactory.
CHILDREN FROM FAVOURED LIFE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, MODUPE JOHNSON CRESENT, OFF ADENIRAN OGUNSANYA STREET, SURULERE, LAGOS VISITED AJIBULU-MONIYA ON TUESDAY – 17TH OCTOBER, 2023
The children numbered 10 came with their Teachers led by Mrs. Omoetan Beauty for stimulation with Arts.
We fully prepared to receive them. But on arrival, the children won’t match what we prepared for them. But Kovifi was able to set up the template with drums ensemble.
They were carried away with the way Kovifi handled them. So also for the Teachers.
The encounter was enticing, our members of staff joined them which excited the children beyond expectation.
Mrs. Konibire, as a seasoned Teacher took turn to engage the children and their teachers. The encounter was seamless, she has to terminate the session as the children were yawning for more from Mr. Kovifi.
In between, we served them refreshment – biscuits, water and minerals to wet their appetite for the next segment.
The final session handled by Kovifi was stimulating and encouraging.
I finally rounded up the contact with words of encouragement with the Teachers and students alike. It was like they wanted to remain behind but we had to persuade them to go and come back next time for another series of engagement on another aspect of drums plus dancing. They fell in love with the muted idea.
At the end, we didn’t release the Kids Pretend-N-Play Tool Set we got in your office to them. Because, it may not serve any useful purposes.
But instead, we sent a copy of the Village Headmaster book to their school, which they have acknowledged and appreciated.
There is need to finetune the arrangement to be self-financed for continuity.
But in the interim, it is essential for both Kovifi and Mrs. Dunni Konibire to brainstorm and come up with approachable and sustainable modality. They have the experience to make it a successful endeavour.
AREF’s representatives namely: Prof. Kola Raheem, Mr. Olujimi Olusola III and Mr. Wole Adediran attended a Policy Dialogue Conference organized by African Resource Development Centre at Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday 7th February, 2023. The Conference came up with a special agenda for the next President for Nigeria.
OBITUARY
We regret to announce the demise of Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd) on Wednesday, 8th February, 2023 at the age of 80. He was one of AREF’s Patrons. The late Air Commodore played a leading role during Nigerian Civil War (1966-1970). He was a member of General Murtala Muhammed’s Supreme Military Council between July 1975 and March 1976. He was Military Governor of Plateau State from March 1976 – July 1978 after it had been created from part of the old Benue Plateau State.After the return to democracy in the Nigerian Fourth Republic, he became Chairman of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), a socio-political group representing the people of the Middle Belt of Nigeria. As Federal Commissioner for Special Duties, he was instrumental in founding the Economic Communities for West African States (ECOWAS).
old naira note saga
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has pronounced an interim injunction restraining the Federal Government of Nigeria, Central Bank of Nigeria… its agents, agencies from suspending or determining or ending on the 10th of February, 2023 the timeframe within which the now older versions of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations may no longer be legal tender, pending the hearing, the determination of the plaintiffs/applicants’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.