PROFILE OF AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION (AHOA) - CSOs Global Movement and Think-tank for Health and Development

 

                                       

AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION

PROFILE

 

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) is a community-focused civil society organizations (CSOs) international Movement/Network Coalition and Think-tank deeply engaged in promoting policies, practices, programmes and interventions that enhance productivity, accountability, transparency and civil society’s coordination/contributions in Society Welfare/Social Safety nets, Development Work/Sustainable Development, Health; and in educational, literary, scientific, social, development, cultural, sporting, and charitable intervention(s)/purpose(s).

AHOA’s mandate includes:

1. Building an inclusive and broad movement for Health and Sustainable Development;

2. Creating avenues to influence the design and implementation of policies, practices, programmes and interventions;

3. Promoting coordination, information exchange and harmonization among the civil society and stakeholder groups across the world; and

4. Promoting citizen involvement, leadership and accountability mechanisms in the implementation of respective interventions.

 

AHOA has a global membership/partnership of over 1,700 (One Thousand, Seven Hundred) organizations mainly from the global South and promotes the ‘One Health’ paradigm where Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. AHOA uses partnership/collaboration, advocacy, research/evidence generation, capacity development, outreaches, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) as strategies. AHOA’s activities/interventions are for the benefit of rural and poor urban dwellers, marginalized, vulnerable and disadvantaged populations of women, children, adolescents, persons with disability, persons in conflict-affected areas, the poor, elderly, rural, disadvantaged and vulnerable persons, orphans and the elderly. The AHOA CSOs Movement/Network Coalition and Think-tank works to explore the nexus between and within the following sectors:

1.      Health - including UHC, PHC, Reproductive Health, PHC, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria, NCDs, NTDs, Vaccines/Immunization and COVID-19;

2.      Energy and Environment - including biodiversity, environment, ecosystems, renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation and climate change (BEEREEECCC);

3.      Nutrition/micronutrients and Food Security;

4.      Gender, Democracy, Good Governance, Peace, Human Security and Human Rights; and

5.      Sustainable Development across regions, populations, communities and generations

 

AHOA partners with the Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN). AHOA has members/local Chapters in Nigeria’s 36 States and Federal Capital Abuja, National Chapters in some countries, sub-regional Chapters in North Africa, West and Central Africa, East and Southern Africa; and in America, Asia, Caribbean, Europe and Oceania regions. AHOA has a Consultative Status at the United Nations ECOSOC; and an Accredited Observer status at the UNEP/United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

 

Following the World Health Organisation (WHO) poor ranking of the Nigerian health system as 187th out of 191 member States by in 2000, in its report on the performance of health systems, Afrihealth received its certificate of incorporation/registration in 2003. It currently has members, State Focal Persons (SFPs), Lead Coalition Partners (LCPs) and liaison offices in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones; with national headquarter office in Abuja. It was a sub-sub recipient (SSR)/Implementing Agency of the Global Fund Grants Round Nine [GFR9] for Home-Based Care in Imo State, and Prevention (out of school youth) in FCT under the Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria [CiSHAN] and Nigeria Youth Network for HIV/AIDS [NYNETHA] respectively. Our target populations are women, infants and children/adolescents, youths, the vulnerable and poorest-of-the-poor and elderly in our rural and poor urban communities. It is currently promoting the Coalition for Vaccines, Vitamins and Immunizations for All [CoVIA]. Locally, it is a member of Civil Society Partnership for Development in Nigeria [CSPDN], CiSHAN, AONN, ACOMIN, NYNETHA, TB Network and Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria [SOCSEEN]. It is an active member of several International Organizations including the GAVI Civil Society Constituency, Decade of Vaccines (DoV) Collaboration for the Global Vaccines Action Plan (GVAP) and Child Rights Information Network [CRIN].

 

Countries where Members/Partners of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) Coalition/Network and Think-tank are presently in the following Ninety-five (95) countries, and expanding:

 

Afghanistan	Comoros	Jamaica	Rwanda
Algérie	Congo Republic	Japan	Senegal
Angola	Costa Rica	Kenya	Sierra Leone
Antigua and Barbuda	Côte d’Ivoire	Kyrgyzstan	Somalia
Argentina	Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)	Lebanon	South Africa
Australia	Djibouti	Lesotho	South Korea
Austria	Egypt	Liberia	South Sudan
Azerbaijan	Eswatini	Madagascar	Sri Lanka
Bangladesh	Ethiopia	Malawi	Sudan
Belgium	Fiji	Malaysia	Swaziland
Benin	France	Mali	Switzerland
Bhutan	Gabon	Mauritania	Tanzania
Bolivia	Gambia	Mexico	Thailand
Bosnia Hercegovina	Gao	Morocco	The Gambia
Botswana	Germany	Nepal	Togo
Brazil	Ghana	Netherlands	Trinidad and Tobago
Burkina Faso	Guatemala	Niger	Tunisia
Burundi	Guinea	Nigeria	Uganda
Cambodia	Haiti	Pakistan	United Kingdom
Cameroon	India	Palestine	United States of America
Canada	Indonesia	Portugal	Yemen
Central African Republic	Iraq	Republic of Congo	Zambia
Chad	Ireland	República Dominicana	Zimbabwe
Colombia	Italy	Russian Federation

 

VISION, MISSION, MOTTO, OBJECTIVES AND SKILLS

 

2.1 Vision

A foremost community-focused non-governmental organization contributing to better health status and living standards, empowerment and social development of marginalised, at-risk/vulnerable, rural and poor urban populations, and achievement of Global, Regional, Subregional, National, Subnational and Local development targets.

 

2.2 Mission Statement

To engender sustainable improvements in the health and standard of living of women, children (infants, adolescents and youth), poorest of the poor, the elderly, rural and marginalized urban communities and vulnerable groups in Africa; by promoting evidence-based credible actions and support for health, environment, nutrition and development

 

2.3 Motto

Better life for All

 

2.4 Nature of the Association

The Association shall be a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit making civil society organization and network/coalition.

2.5 Organisational Objectives

1. To contribute significantly towards the national response to HIV & AIDS in Nigeria by

preventing the transmission of HIV, providing care and support for those infected and affected by the disease, reducing the vulnerability of individuals, orphans, children and communities to HIV/AIDS as well as alleviating the human impact of the epidemic;

2. To promote and improve the health, environment, energy, educational, adequate nutrition and better standards of living of the community especially for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs), women, the elderly and other vulnerable groups in the society; and mitigate the impacts of HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and Poverty on them, and provide them with psychosocial support;

3. To prevent blindness, improve sight/vision, and provide holistic information on the health and development situation necessary for the attainment of a healthy and developed society; and encourage and promote educational experimentation and innovative activities that lead to the enhancement and improvement of the health system in Nigeria and elsewhere;

4. To advocate and work for the attainment of peace, harmony, conflict resolution and disarmament, for the attainment of local, national and global health and development objectives that engender a health community and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);

5. To conduct research for the improvement of the health and development of the society and its communities; and co-operate with any other organizational whenever appropriate, in order to attain and/or sustain the health and development of the society and its inhabitants; and

6. To encourage, organise, provide, publish, promote and support knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), capacity building and evidence-generation, through conferences, workshops, trainings, seminars; and publication of relevant journals, magazines, newsletters and provision of other information, education and communication (IEC) materials.

 

-          Established in 1997, incorporated in 2003 and has been in Consultative Status with the United Nations ECOSOC since 2018

-          A National/Regional CSOs Network/Coalition and Think-tank with Chapters in Nigeria’s 36 States and FCT, and in Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Haiti, Ghana

-          Implements Health and Development Systems Strengthening programs, projects and services as its major interventions

-          Members of Afrihealth network/coalition focus actively on HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, RMNCH, UHC and Health Financing; Energy/Environment; Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Energy, Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Nutrition/Food Security; Gender and Good Governance (including Democracy and Human Rights) 

-          Intervention areas include Partnerships/Collaborations, Advocacy (ACSM), Research/Evidence-generation, Capacity Development, Outreaches, Monitoring & Evaluation

-          Target beneficiaries of AFRIHEALTH’s interventions include governments, poorest of the poor, children/infants and orphans, women, youth/adolescents, vulnerable population/groups and the elderly in rural, suburban and poor urban dwellers/communities

-          Has over 1,000 members/partners across the world and over 26,000 (Twnety-six Thousand) persons in its Google Group

 

 

The benefits of becoming a member/partner of AFRIHEALTH Optonet Association are by no means exhaustive, and include:

1. Announce/broadcast and disseminate your organization’s activities to thousands of development stakeholders and policy makers across the world (Admin rules may apply);
2. Be considered for nomination/inclusion in AHOA’s delegations/representatives to United Nations’ events and other Partners’ activities/programmes;
3. Be considered to receive recommendations from AHOA to participate in the activities of the United Nations, ECOSOC, UNEP/UNEA, etc. and their Agencies;
4. Receive regular information and guidance about funding and resource mobilization opportunities;
5. Be published in the register/lists of AHOA members/partners and circulated all over the world to potential funders and partners;
6. Members/partners are able to broaden their base of support to submit proposals for funding and support, access opportunities and receive mutual benefits in the magnitude they could not gain individually or on their own;
7. Individual members/partners from various countries and diverse cultures are provided with the platform and opportunity to engage and collaborate with each other for the greater good of all while retaining their independence;
8. Members/partners gain leverage and improve their negotiation results through the banding together of older, bigger, and/or stronger organizations with other relatively newer, smaller, and/or weaker ones in AFRIHEALTH; who are thereby able to harness/access the resources needed to successfully face tough situations;
9. Members/partners can focus on their strengths while relying on the support/strengths of other Network partners in other areas and still share in the accomplishments with other members/partners;
10. Members/partners who might otherwise lose opportunities in competition with one another shall now join forces to negotiate in a mutual, collective, and organized manner with funders, development partners, international bodies, governments, embassies/foreign missions, businesses, political parties, etc. in a win-win situation for everyone;
11. By combining efforts and sharing experiences and resources, AFRIHEALTH members/partners learn from each other, receive capacity-building support, acquire new skills, and broaden their knowledge, income, and abilities;
12. By sharing resources, members/partners of AFRIHEALTH mutually benefit from the maxim of “the sum is often greater than the parts”, as shared resources often mean that the Network partners/members can overcome deficiencies together;
13. Development requires money, people, and time; and the increased number of organizations/people in the Network usually means that it will take shorter/less time and cost less to accomplish an objective with the combined effort;
14. Different organizations/partners coming together in AFRIHEALTH shall provide diversity for each member organization to broaden its reach and accomplishments by working with other organizations that are associated with the same or similar health and development issues or causes

 

 

COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE [CoP]

1. Civil Society Actions (CSAs) on Climate Change, Energy, Biodiversity, Environment, COPs, Etc. - 1,004 members

2. ECOSOC, UNEP/UNEA, Civil Society, Non-State Actors, and Development Partners' Platform - 951 members

3. Disability, Elderly, Women, Vulnerable, Youth (DEWVY) - 650 members

4. ATM+ Projects Hub (AIDS, HIV, TB, Malaria, Cancers, NTDs, COVID, NCDs, Health Systems Strengthening, Community Systems Strengthening, Health Care Financing); 618 members

5. SDGs, Education, Work, Peace, and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR); 534 members

6. Civil Society for Elimination of GBV/VAWG Project - 504 members

7. Vaccines, Vitamins and Immunization for All - 323 members

8. Health, Human and Food Security (HEFOS); 267 members

9. Governance, Gender, Democracy, and Human Rights - 201

10. After50 (Focusing on men and women 51 years of Age and Older) - 123 members

11. Campaigns and Elections - 118 members

12. Arts, Sports, Music, Drama and Entertainment; 41 members

 

 

TECHNICAL WORKING GROUPS (TWGs)

1. Partnerships, Collaborations and civil society Coordination;

2. Advocacy, Communications and Social/Resource Mobilization [ACSM];

3. Research and Evidence Generation;

4. Capacity Development and Learning;

5. Outreaches and Community Engagements; and

6. Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability (MEA).

 

 

WORKING LANGUAGES:

Arabic

Chinese

English

French

Russian

Spanish

Swahili

 

CONTINENTAL/REGIONAL GROUPS:

Africa – 890 members

Americas – 55 members

Asia – 79 members

Caribbean, Australia, Pacific and Oceania (CAPO) – 26 members

Europe – 25 members

 

 

COUNTRY CHAPTERS:

In response to the numerous requests from members/partners for respective country/national chapters of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), the Secretariat is exploring the administration of national/country Chapters in every country with 30 or more registered members/partners of AHOA. Presently, the following countries are being explored:

Nigeria – 883 members

Kenya – 108 menders

Uganda – 77 members

Ghana – 59 members

Cameroon – 59 members

India – 51 members

Egypt – 31 members

 

 

‘AHOA’ NIGERIA: 36 STATES AND THE FCT GROUPS

 

Active Members/Partners of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) Coalition/Network and Think-tank in Nigeria’s 36 States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and expanding:

 

Abia – 44 members	Enugu – 19 members	Niger – 36 members
Adamawa – 14 members	Gombe – 19 members	Ogun – 19 members
Akwa Ibom – 25 members	Imo – 17 members	Ondo – 19 members
Anambra – 18 members	Jigawa – 8 members	Osun – 11 members
Bauchi – 17 members	Kaduna – 26 members	Oyo – 13 members
Bayelsa – 19 members	Kano – 27 members	Plateau – 18 members
Benue – 16 members	Katsina – 3 members	Rivers – 16 members
Borno – 8 members	Kebbi – 13 members	Sokoto – 13 members
Cross River – 24 members	Kogi – 13 members	Taraba – 24 members
Delta – 23 members	Kwara – 6 members	Yobe – 10 members
Ebonyi – 17 members	Lagos – 30 members	Zamfara – 16 members
Edo – 16 members	Nasarawa – 16 members	FCT – 63 members
Ekiti – 6 members

 

 

Development Work means “the process(es) of formulating/conceptualizing, planning,  implementing, monitoring, evaluating, auditing, improving, and expanding valued or service-oriented social, economic, political and faith-related works/issues/services, programmes, projects, policies, practices, documentations, results, changes and items; in participatory/mainstreaming manners/approaches among humanity, indigenous people, citizens, those marginalized, in the communities and all the fields of human endeavour; including without limitation, all deliverables, materials, inventions, designs, notes, records, memoranda, documents, models, prototypes, scale-ups, and other materials, as well as all enhancements, derivatives, and modifications thereof, and all target, input, output, outcome, impact, and intellectual property thereto.”[1]

 

'Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP)' is a development model espoused by Afrihealth Optonet Association in 2017-18 in Nigeria's Niger Delta region; with funding support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). 

 

• Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP) means that governments involve citizens in policies formulation, planning and execution of the society’s activities, such that citizens will be able to engage with their government and leaders on a regular and sustained basis; as currently, majority of the citizens are only able to interact with their governments/leaders at the latter’s leisure[2].

• Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP) will entail the redistribution of power that enables the have-not citizens, presently excluded from the political and economic processes, to be deliberately included.  It is the strategy by which the have-nots join in determining how information is shared, goals and policies are set, tax resources are allocated, programs are operated, projects are designed, implemented, monitored and benefits like contracts and patronage are parcelled out.  In short, it is the means by which they can induce significant social reform which enables them to share in the benefits of the affluent society.

 

Click on any of the respective link(s) below to post your message for the attention of the NGOs in our Network:  

 

For country a specific/named platform, please click on only one country or your own country if applicable:

 

AFRIHEALTH Naija <https://chat.whatsapp.com/K8vJzM5fGzDLUkUpMJmra4>

 

AFRIHEALTH Africa <https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ji87M2e96Zn5SooS7osonN>

 

AFRIHEALTH Global <https://chat.whatsapp.com/BJgAyb3tyO27eC1mHM1DRl>

 

AFRIHEALTH North Africa Region <https://chat.whatsapp.com/GNnHYnpzrua5xgeECedEal>

 

AFRIHEALTH West and Central Africa Regions <https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ltd1h7ZbvzXHVBMxdlL7xm>

 

AFRIHEALTH Southern and Eastern Africa Regions <https://chat.whatsapp.com/IRlt8zk6sWD1ONmLjY2Cu5>

 

AFRIHEALTH Kenya <https://chat.whatsapp.com/2GUiJRokGge9WbdPSBJU7z>

 

Health, Food and Human Security (HEFOSS link on Telegram): https://t.me/joinchat/HQnG4hL5xbTZaMHgCdhIBA

 

Telegram link for HEFOSS <https://t.me/+EvnFtLEEyBAJ2EgE>

 

Coalition on Vaccines, Vitamins, Minerals, and Immunizations for All (CoVIA) project <https://chat.whatsapp.com/IE5cwLxQpPt9XcciGav1gW>

 

Civil Society for Elimination of Gender-Based Violence (CS4EGBV) project <https://chat.whatsapp.com/FdvVf1ZlRePBVj8GOcQjMt>

 

Civil Society Actions on Climate, Energy and Biodiversity (CiSACEB) Programme <https://chat.whatsapp.com/F63WPn7NKurHAGSQ3Hcqle>

 

Telegram link for CS4EGBV <https://t.me/+TePBHn8xFSqXXA_h>

 

 

AFRIHEALTH’s Vision is to be “A foremost community-focused non-governmental organizations think tank/network contributing to better health status and living standards, empowerment and social development of marginalised, at-risk/vulnerable, rural and poor urban populations, and achievement of the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets.”

 

Our Mission Statement is “To improve the health and standard of living of women, children (infants, adolescents and youth), poorest of the poor, the elderly, rural and marginalized urban communities and vulnerable groups in Africa; by promoting evidence-based credible actions and support for health, environment, nutrition and human security/development”;

 

 

Projects Implemented by AHOA, 2020 – June 2022:

 

1.      2020-05-23 Training on Introduction to Project Life Cycle 

2.      2020-05-23 Training on The Evaluation Cycle and Steps in Evaluation

3.      2020-05-25 Challenges, Strategies and Prospects for Consultancy Services in Nigeria During and After Covid-19 Pandemic

4.      2020-12-09 Strengthening Nigeria’s Health Systems to Protect Everyone and Achieve UHC and Health for All during the COVID-19 Pandemic

5.      2020-12-11 Taming the Monster_ Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

6.      2021-02-02 Prevention, Treatment and Mitigation of Cervical Cancer in Resource constrained Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

7.      2021-02-12 Workshop on the Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on HIV/AIDS Response

8.      2021-02-17 COVID-19 VACCINATION AND COMMUNITY ENAGEMENT

9.      2021-03-04 HARNESSING AND PROMOTING WOMEN LEADERSHIP TO OVERCOME THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ACHIEVE THE 'SDGs'

10.  2021-03-22 ELIMINATING TUBERCULOSIS IN RESOURCES CONSTRAINED SETTINGS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - what works, what doesn't

11.  2021-04-02 WORLD HEALTH DAY 2021_ IMPERATIVES FOR FAIRER HEALTHCARE POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND BEYOND

12.  2021-04-02 VACCINE HESITANCY FOR COVID-19 AND OTHER VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES - MYTHS AND REALITIES

13.  2021-05-15 Climate Change: Think Global, Act Local

14.  2021-05-24 Civil Society Dialogue on the Conservation of Biodiversity - we are part of the solution

15.  2021-08-05 TRAINING ON 'PROJECT LIFE CYCLE', BY HSP CONSULTANTS

16.  2021-09-07 The Evaluation Cycle 88479342112

17.  2021-09-30 The SDGs at 6: International Symposium on Country Prospects for the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda

18.  2021-10-14 Making COVID-19 Vaccination Compulsory, Enforceable and Criminalizing/Punishing Non-receivers

19.  2021-10-22 The Role of Evaluation in Achieving the SDGs

20.  2021-01-14 Understanding and Ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in our Societies 

21.  2021-03-04 HARNESSING AND PROMOTING WOMEN LEADERSHIP TO OVERCOME THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ACHIEVE THE 'SDGs'

22.  2021.10.29 CSO COP26 conference

23.  2021.11.08 Health, Human Security and Food Security for All TAG

24.  2021.11.25 Workshop on Involving men & boys as critical change agents against GBV and VAWG

25.  2021.12.27 Training on Proposals Presentation Outline

26.  2021-01-14 Understanding and Ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in our Societies

27.  2021.12.27 Report Writing and Proposal Development

28.  2022.01.31 Stakeholders' consultation on International Conference on Development Work

29.  2022.02.03 World Cancer Day symposium

30.  2022.03.04 Journal writing training

31.  2022.03.09 IWD conference

32.  2022.03.25 World TB Day conference

33.  2022.04.08 WHD Conference

34.  2022.04.28 2022 World Malaria Day conference with the theme: Advance Equity. Build Resilience. End Malaria - Your Effort Counts

35.  2022.06.02 gLOCAL Evaluation

36.  2022.06.07 WED symposium Living in harmony with nature

37.  2022.06.09 THM on Implementation of Nigeria's NHAct 2014

38.  2022.06.10 Training on Project Management Life Cycle

39.  2022.07.22 International Symposium on Accountability, Resource Mobilization and Capacity Building in Non-Profit Development Work and Humanitarian Interventions

40.   

 

 

Treaties, Letters, Advocacy Messages and Campaigns undertaken by Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) alone and or in partnership with other stakeholders in Development:

 

1.      Scientific Declaration on Polio Eradication

2.      Signatories to ‘making the eHealth Connection’

3.      Signatories_Budapest Open Access Initiative

4.      signatories_final letter to GCF board re. adaptation-development 2017

5.      Signatories_The Vienna Declaration

6.      Signatory to the following protocols.campaign.treaties

7.      Signatory_ACallForPoliticalLeadershiponHIVAIDS

8.      Signatory_Civil Society Call to Action at the GAVI Partners Forum 2012

9.      Signatory_CIVIL SOCIETY PRINCIPLES ON THE IHP+

10.  Signatory_Commitment to Child Survival_APR_CSO_29.06.12

11.  signatory_Diverse Array of NGOs and CSOs Call on Governments and Partners

12.  Signatory_Emergency PEPFAR 2 Sign On Letter, 2008

13.  signatory_global AIDS advocates letter to UNAIDS ED Sidibe, 12.13

14.  signatory_HBV BD Letter_FINAL 6.13.14 ENG

15.  Signatory_Int'l protest at Canadian legal case, Human Rights, 2006

16.  Signatory_Letter from 117 African CSOs to African Union Summit

17.  Signatory_Letter to USA House Foreign Affairs Committee

18.  Signatory_NGO Code of Conduct4Health Systems Strengthening (HSS), 28.12.12

19.  Statement of Support+signatories for GAPPD, 10.04.13

20.  Letter_75 UNanniv_civil-society-inclusion

21.  GFATM & HSS_An Organizational and Policy Analysis 2011

22.  globalplantoendtb_theparadigmshift_2016-2020_stoptbpartnership

23.  global-statement_endorsements_Human Rights Defenders

24.  Guiding Principles for Urban-Rural Linkages

25.  Letter from the President of UNEA 5, 2019

26.  MCIA CSO Declaration on Immunization in Africa

27.  peace_corps_HIV_dismissals_signons

28.  CS statement on ending TB 2018

29.  Statement on private sector in implementation of post2015 SD Agenda

30.  The Hague Declaration on Planetary Security

31.  Communiqué Issued at the End of a One Day Stakeholders’ Forum on the Right to Food Legislation

32.  Everywoman Everywhere Coalition

33.  Global TB partners profile, 19.7.13

34.  Melbourne Declaration Endorsers

35.  MenEngage-e-Dialogue-Report_FINAL

36.  Global Violence against children coalition 2013

37.  PRB Discuss Online: The Well-Being of Older Populations

 

GLOBAL AND REGIONAL ACTIVITIES

Active Member and Signatory to the following international Advocacy, Campaigns and Partnerships:

i.        Global Civil Society Organizations [CSOs] on the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), 2016

ii.      Signatory, Communiqué Issued at the End of a One Day Stakeholders’ Forum on the Right to Food Legislation in Nigeria Held at Bolton White Hotel on the 26^th February, 2013

iii.    Co-sponsor/Member, The Global Campaign for Microbicides, 2014

iv.    Member, Everywoman Everywhere Coalition - a global group of more than 800 organizations, women's rights activists, scholars, and concerned citizens, from more than 110 countries, rallied around a singular belief in the right to a life free from all forms of violence for every woman, everywhere. We have come together to advance a singular goal: an international treaty on violence against women and girls worldwide, 2016

v.      Member, Global Stop TB Partnership, 2013

vi.    Endorser, AIDS2014 Melbourne Declaration of “Nobody Left Behind”

vii.  Member, Critical Dialogue on Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Justice, 2016

viii.                        Member, WWSF

ix.    Signatory, Scientific Declaration on Polio Eradication

x.      Signatory, Women_Major_Group {WMG} Statement on private sector participation in the implementation of Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda, 2015

xi.    Signatory, Civil Society Principles on the IHP+

xii.  Signatory, Urgent Call for U.S. Initiative on Health Workforce in AIDS-Impacted Countries, 2006

xiii.                        Signatory, Letter from 117 African Civil Society Organisations to African Union Summit on Upholding African Health and Social Development Commitments, July 2010

xiv.                        Signatory, Civil Society Letter on HIV-related Travel Restrictions addressed to the UN Missions and Heads of State in Countries with Restrictions, 2007

xv.  Signatory, African TB Partners Call on African Heads of State, Health & Finance Ministers to Fund the Africa Gap in the Global Plan to Stop TB.

xvi.                        Signatory, Budhapest Initiative in support of ‘open education’, 2012

xvii.                      Signatory, Civil Society Call to Action at the GAVI Partner’s Forum 2012

xviii.                    Signatory, Committing to Child Survival – a promise renewed, 2012

xix.                        Member/Signatory, Global HIV/AIDS Advocates letter to UNAIDS to call on the United Nations General Assembly to convene a High Level Meeting before September 2015 to assess progress toward the achievement of the goals in the 2011 Political Declaration and to renew the commitments to achieve Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in the post-2015 Development Framework, 2013

xx.  Signatory, MSF ‘Access Campaign’ in support of hepatitis B virus (HBV) birth dose vaccination, 2014

xxi.                        Signatory/member, International campaign calling on Canada to stop crimilalizing people living with HIV, 2012

xxii.                      Signatory, The NGO Code of Conduct for Health Systems Strengthening, 2009

xxiii.                    Signatory, Statement of Support for the Integrated Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea, 2014

xxiv.                    Signatory to the call for Global Health Systems Impact Assessments (GHSIA), 2009

xxv.                      Signatory, Urgent Call for U.S. Initiative on Health Workforce in AIDS-Impacted Countries, 2006

NATIONAL ACTIVITIES (Nigeria)

i.                    Chair, Technical Working Group (TWG) of NGOs in Health in Nigeria, FMOH; 2016-present

ii.                  Member, Health Care Financing and Investment TWG, FMOH; 2015-present

iii.                Cochair, National World Malaria Day Committee, FMOH; 2016-present

iv.                Member, Malaria TWG (Nigeria); 2017-present

v.                   Member, United Nations CSOs Partnership, Nigeria; 2016-present

vi.                Participated in preparing Nigeria’s National Voluntary Reports (NVR) 2017

vii.              In consultative status with Nigeria National Assembly Joint Committee on Rural Development and Health care Services in Nigeria

 

1.2 Operating Programmes/Agencies

 AFRIHEALTH INFORMATION PROJECTS – covers Health, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria,

Environment and Energy

 GAHADA PARTNERS – covers Capacity Building, Training, Empowerment, Peace,

Good Governance, Disarmament and Human Rights

 OPTONET INTERNATIONAL – covers Blindness prevention, Nutrition, Agriculture

and Food Security

 Coalition for Vaccines, Vitamins and Immunisations for All [CoVIAN]

Civil Society for Elimination of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG);

Civil Society Actions for Biodiversity, Environment, Ecosystems, Energy, Conservation and Climate Change;

Health, Human and Food Security Summits (HEFOSS)

 

3. ORGANISATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Afrihealth Optonet Association is a member of the GAVI Civil Society Constituency and the Decade of Vaccines (DoV) Collaboration for the Global Vaccines Action Plan (GVAP). It is involved in the generation, storage, dissemination and application of knowledge/information in Health, HIV/AIDS, TB, Nutrition/Food security, Blindness prevention, Environment, Peace-building and Good governance, the MDGs, Primary Health Care, Vaccines and Immunisation, Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency and Conservation, conferences/meetings/workshops, Health Sector Reforms; Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), Health Promotion and Healthcare Financing/Insurance. Afrihealth implements its activities using its ‘PARCO’ Strategy of Partnerships, Advocacy, Research/Evidence-generation, Capacity-Building and Outreach interventions (including workshops, conferences, meetings, documentation, policy analysis, community/groups mobilization and public education); and bottom-up, people-specific, gender-sensitive and broad-based participatory approaches in its work. It works to promote policies, laws and practices that contribute to the control of Diseases and improvement of human life. Its objectives include: to advocate and mobilise for better health and improved well-being of the community and society; to provide health information, education and communication; to conduct research on healthcare issues; and to undertake and promote health interventions for the whole family and society. It is a member of several local and international health/HIV/AIDS and development networks and employs bottom-up, people-specific, gender-sensitive and participatory approaches in its work/activities. Our monitoring activities are guided by the project objective’s defined measurable input, output, outcome and impact indicators. We use onsite visits, direct observation of conditions (emotional, mental and physical), involving the stakeholders in monitoring, reports/records, community participatory monitoring, forms to be filled by stakeholders and information entered into the project’s Management Information system (MIS), use/checks of financial and activity records/reports, and meetings of implementing partners. Full impacts are measured through projects evaluations as and whenever due. Afrihealth’s has acquired cognate experience in its areas of commitment and focus (interest)

through publications, partnerships, advocacy, research/evidence-generation, capacity-building, outreaches and community interventions; as summarized below:

 

3.1. Publications

a) HIV/AIDS: beyond ARVs and Advocacy, 2003

b) Female Circumcision (Female Genital Mutilation): 40 Dangerous Effects Parents and

Relations Must Know, 1999 (publication now catalogued at the Media/Materials Clearinghouse of the Johns Hopkins University, USA, for worldwide distribution, as M/MC ID#: PL NGA 318)

c). Nutrition for All Ages - A Pocket Guide.1999 (catalogued at the Media/Materials

Clearinghouse of the Johns Hopkins University, USA, for worldwide distribution, as M/MC ID#: PL NGA 398)

d) Controlling HIV/AIDS Among Mobile Populations in Lagos’ – an oral presentation made at the 14th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa, Abuja, 4-9 December 2005

e) Handbills on Vitamin A Deficiency Diseases

f) Posters on anemia and maternal health

Some of its activities have been reported in the local media while its publications are available at http://phishare.org/partners/afrihealthoptonet, and on the Internet.

 

3.2. Partnership

 Maintains a coalition partnership with more than 500 civil society orgnaisations/groups

spread all over Nigeria’s 6 geopolitical zones and 36 States and Federal Capital Territory

 Currently collaborating with CDC and USAID to receive trainings and enhance local

capacity for applying for USG health funding opportunities

 Participating in the Global Decade of Vaccines Collaboration for Global Vaccines Action

Plan, 2011-present

 Participating in the GAVI Civil Society Constituency, 2010-present

 Adopts Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) approach wherever possible

 Technical Assistance to Arewa Joint Action Committee Lagos on HIV/AIDS, 2003-4

 Organised and maintains the ICASA 2005 forum: An email forum for the exchange of

HIV/AIDS views and news/information between stakeholders, for the purpose of ensuring that the objectives of the International Conference on Aids and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) in Africa [ICASA 2005], Abuja, Nigeria are completely realised.

 

3.3. Advocacy

 Advocacy visit to the permanent Secretary Imo State Ministry of Health for improvement of immunization services in the State, 2014

 Advocacy visit to the Honourable Minister of Health for the institution of Universal Health Care (UHC) and its funding using the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), 2012

 Advocacy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Health in Enugu State of Nigeria for increased involvement of the civil society in the health sector, 201

 Promoting immunisation uptake in Isale-Eko communities of Lagos

 Using vitamin A deficiency control capaigns to advance immunisation education and

uptake in resource-poor settings in Lagos state

 Controlling HIV/AIDS within the community’ – an advocacy engagement with the

Sarkin Hausawa and Chief Imam of Isolo Lagos;

 Controlling Maternal anemia and utilisation of antenatal services available within

local health facilities in Isle-Eko and Kirikiri town in Lagos State

 Controll of vitamin A deficiency diseases in children in Badagry, Egbe, Alausa and

Orile-Iganmu Lagos;

 

3.4. Research

 Civil Society Capacity Training Needs Assessment in Nigeria’s thirty-six States and the

Federal Capital territory, 2011-12

 Study of the Prevalence, Management Practices and Preventive Strategies of Diabetic

Retinopathy in Lagos State, Nigeria, 2000-2002

 Developing a food based dietary guideline for the control of vitamin A deficiency

diseases (VADD) in Lagos using available and affordable local food materials [study

carried out in 5 Rural Communities and 8 Children’s Schools in Badagry, Alausa,

Kirikiri, Egbe & Isheri Olofin], 2002-2003

 Developing a food based dietary guideline for the control of maternal anaemia in

pregnancy in Lagos State using available and affordable local food materials [study

carried out in 5 Rural Communities and 8 Children’s Schools in Badagry, Alausa,

Kirikiri, Egbe & Isheri Olofin], 2000-2002

 

3.5 Capacity-Development and Citizen Participation

‘Sustainable Citizen Participation in Nigeria’s Niger Delta’ - a Project of Afrihealth Optonet Association with support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF); to empower the civil society to engage with governments on a regular and sustained basis for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria; 2017-2018

 SURE-P Staff training

 Training of AOA members on Proposal writing

 Nigerian Civil Society Capacity Building and Training programme for 2012-14 to

provide civil society and community-focused organizations/service providers with

necessary skills for programmes management, advocacy and resource mobilization.

These programmes shall provide trainings in various capacity areas to 1039 persons

[372 females and 667 males] nominated by 540 civil society organizations from the

36 states and FCT

 Facilitated/organized 1 Vitamin A Deficiency Control/Training workshop for 38

community leaders, patent medicine dealers, local government personnel and

community health workers in Badagry, Lagos , 2001

 

3.6 Outreaches/Community Interventions

World AIDS Day Outreach/Rally in Gbaupe Community, Kuje Area Council, FCT Abuja, Nigeria; 2016

World Malaria Day Outreach/Rally in Gbaupe Community, Kuje Area Council, FCT Abuja, Nigeria; 2016

Environmental Cleaning in Gombe 2015

WASH in Lagos 2015

Visit to IDP Camp in Gombe 2015

World AIDS Day Outreach/Rally in Gbaupe Community, Kuje Area Council, FCT Abuja, Nigeria; 2016

World Malaria Day Outreach/Rally in Gbaupe Community, Kuje Area Council, FCT Abuja, Nigeria; 2016

 Organisation of 1 HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT), condom distribution, Community

rally, sensitisation and dialogue in Goza community of Abuja, to commemorate World

AIDS Day 2011

 Provision of Out-of-School Youth (OSY) HIV/AIDS prevention services in Lugbe

Abuja, as a Global Fund sub sub-recipient under Round 9 grants, 2011-present

 Provision of Home Base Care (HBC) services for persons living with HIV/AIDS in Imo

State as a Global Fund sub sub-recipient under Round 9 grants, 2011-present

 Organisation of Immunisation, Child Health, Infant nutrition and Vitamin A Deficiency

mobilization programme in Kapwa, Abuja; and reached 258 families/persons

 Conducted eye health awareness and vision screening exercises in liaison with the World

Health Organization [WHO] on ‘Vision Care for Road Safety’ - a World Health Day

Project; at Aguda Central Motor Park, Surulere Lagos, for commercial bus and taxi

drivers and market persons, 2004

 HIV/AIDS control and impact mitigation enlightenment/advocacy campaigns in the

predominantly Muslim Arewa Community, Isolo Central Mosque, Lagos; 2004

 Community-based HCT and PMTCT advocacy and mobilization project in in Isherin

Olofin, Lagos, 2004

 Using Advocacy and Immunisation Opportunity to control Vitamin A deficiency

Diseases (VADD): projects featuring VAD talks, IECs, advocacy for using immunisation

as opportunity for vitamin A fortification and vitamin A capsule supplementation, in 7

Rural Communities and 8 Children’s Schools in Lagos State; and provision of awareness

for the vitamin A rich foods that abound in and around the community (Badagry, Alausa,

Kirikiri, Egbe, Isheri Olofin, Ijeshatedo & Aguda), 1995-2004

 Organised 4 Vitamin A Deficiency Control/Prevention outreach Projects in Badagry,

Lagos; including the distribution/administration of Vitamin a capsule and provision of

awareness for the vitamin A rich foods that abound in and around the community, 1997-

2002; and reached more than 15,000 children, infants and breastfeeding mothers

 Organised 2 Population Education, family planning Awareness and Eye Care Campaigns,

in Egbe, Lagos, 1998

 Organised 3 Family Health, Environmental Awareness and Blindness Prevention Projects

in Alausa, Lagos, 1998

 Organised 3 Child Health/Nutritional Blindness Prevention Programme for the Pupils and

Staff of Sanya Primary School Ijesha-tedo, Lagos State, 1998

 Organised Public Health Intervention/Education Programme at the Yaba Old People’s

Home, Lagos State, 1997

 

4. COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORK MEMBERSHIPS

Afrihealth is working with 1029 local community-based Civil Society Organisations, five

national CSO networks, Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies in charge of

health and environment, women, youth, children and the elderly, international Organisations

including Child Health Foundation, GAVI Alliance CSO constituency, Decades of Vaccine

Collaboration, American Diabetes Association, WHO, USAID, Unicef, UNAIDS, Task Force

Sight and Life, Thrasher Research Fund, and thousands of individual health stakeholders in 37 States of Nigeria, as partners. Other partners include Association for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria (AONN), TB Network, National Youth Network on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NYNETHA), Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria [CiSHAN], National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Stop TB Partnership (WHO), Child Rights Information Network (CRIN), Global Development Network (GDN), AIDS-Care-Watch Campaign (ACW), United Nations Non- Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS), Population and Health Infoshare and Impact Alliance. Afrihealth has also been featured in the Directory of HIV/AIDS Stakeholders in Nigeria, HIV Atlas Worldwide, Directory of Associations of PLWAs (a USG/USAID/GNP+/ICW publication) and Directory of HIV and AIDS Organisations Worldwide (Aidsmap)

 

5. COMPETENCES AND ACTIVITIES OF AFRIHEALTH

• Advocacy, Community/Stakeholder Mobilization and Partnership/Coalition building

• Outreach interventions, ART and Malaria treatment access, Capacity Building,

Economic empowerment

• Services delivery including HIV Prevention, HCT, PMTCT, HBC, TB, Malaria,

Nutrition/Malnutrition and Blindness Prevention

 Research

 Provision of comprehensive care and support to OVCs and PLWHAs

 Reintegration of OVC into families and communities

• IEC material development

• Programme design and management

• Preparation of Strategic Plans, Reports, Work plans, Concept papers, Terms of

Reference (TOR)

• Monitoring & Evaluation

• Organisation and facilitation of conferences, workshops and other meetings

• Participatory Learning and Action (Research and Training)

• Prudent management skills and building rapport with other NGOs and CBOs

• Transparent, efficient and prudent financial management skills and infrastructure

• Mentoring of CBOs, FBOs and NGOs

• Trainings/Capacity Building

• Communication/Interpersonal Skills/Counselling, including Behaviour Change

Communication or BCC

• Problem solving and conflict Resolution/Negotiation.

 

6. FOCUS, STRATEGIES, TARGETS AND APPROACHES

 

6.1 Focus of Projects/Activities

Afrihealth’s projects and activities span across the spectra of Health, HIV/AIDS, TB and

Malaria; Nutrition and Food Security; Blindness Prevention and vision enhancement; Public-

Private Partnerships (PPP), people empowerment; and Peace and Disarmament. Afrihealth is

committed to initiating, promoting and implementing, in partnership with other organisations,

research and programmes to promote health and development, alleviate poverty, improve

community involvement and participation in health development, and promote social economic status of women, children and youths in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa. It will – alone or in partnership with other stakeholder(s) - plan, design, implement, monitor and evaluate innovative health and development programmes that will empower the target group, improve their standard of living, and achieve national Health-related MDG targets. It will enhance the generation synthesis and utilization of research and evaluation for evidence-based health policies and best practices within the local, national and international health systems.

 

6.2 The ‘PARCOM’ Strategy

The Organisation has devised the PARCOM Strategy for the realisation of its objectives. PARCOM stands for Partnerships, Advocacy, Research, Capacity-development and

Outreaches/interventions and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E). Awareness raising, institutional support, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), bottom-up approach, integrated rural development, self-help development, capacity building and lobbying people-specific approach, gender approach, networking, gender training and participatory approach are also strategically employed as and when necessary.

 

6.3 Target Groups

a) Women, Orphans, Widows, Children, Youth/Young Adults, Elderly, Rural, Urban Poor, Hard-to-reach communities, Migrant populations, Widows and orphans.

b) Individuals e.g. parents, teachers, traditional and religious leaders, community members and philantropists

c) Groups, e.g. faith-based, community-based, professional, labour and trade, women and youth, social and benevolent

d) Organisations, e.g. government ministries, departments and agencies or MDAs; businesses, private sector, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs

e) National and International donor or support organizations, multilateral and bilateral agencies

 

6.4 Approaches/Methods

(a) Undertake/conduct researches, monitoring and evaluation; and hold seminars, training's, conferences, workshops and lectures on health and development issues.
(b) Produce/publish Books, Journals, Pamphlets, Leaflets, Stickers, Badges, Newsletters and any other material for the dissemination of information on its activities and matters of health and development.
(c) Award prizes, and/or scholarship to deserving persons and institutions for the study of various aspect of the health and development system; and give honorary awards to deserving persons and institutions, in recognition of their contributions to health and development.
(d) Solicit for and accept legacies, grants, donations or gifts for the furtherance of its objects.
(e) Investment of monies or funds of the Association which is not immediately required for the use of such investment and property as may be recommended by the general meeting of the Association.
(f) Make appropriate arrangement for carrying on the work of the Association and for this purpose, engage and provide either in whole or part for the salaries or maintenance of officers, servants and employee within the budget of the Association.

(g) Establishment of four Technical Action Groups (TAGs) and five Programme Working Groups (PWGs).

 

7. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

In order to effectively carry out its responsibilities, the organisation has a Board of Trustees

(BoT) that provides oversight on all the activities of the Association and a Management Team

that is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association’s activities, and spearheads its advocacy activities. The General Assembly is the law making and highest authority in the

organisation. There is an Advisory Board made up of seasoned professionals, community/civil society leaders and other stakeholders, and it meets infrequently to review the spectrum of the society that relate to the Association’s mandate, and advises the BOT and Management on how best to serve the Association’s interest within the various circumstances.

 

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

Email: afrihealthoptonet2@gmail.com / Phone, Telegram, Whatsapp: +2348034725905

Website: www.afrihealthcsos.org

 

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

file:///C:/Users/HP/Downloads/2023Q1-ME-CV_Dr.-Uzodinma-Adirieje.pdf

http://druzodinmadirieje.blogspot.com/  

https://www.evalcommunity.com/resume/uzodinma-adirieje/

https://www.reeeaa.org.ng/team-member/dr-uzodinma-adirieje/

https://www.evalforward.org/index.php/members/uzodinma-adirieje

https://community.adphealth.org/user/dr_uzodinma_adirieje

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

CEO/Evaluation Expert and Lead Facilitator/Trainer,

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

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; @DAdirieje;

Email: afrepton@gmail.com, hspconsults2012@gmail.com

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

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

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://afrihealthoptonetassociation.blogspot.com

 

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[1] Adirieje, Uzodinma. Sustainable Citizen Participation in Development Work: definitions and concepts, 2022

[2] Afrihealth Optonet Association. Sustainable Citizens Participation in Nigeria’s Niger Delta Region, 2017