Regional Consultative Forum Akure

On 25th January 2023, also in Akure Ondo state Southwest Nigeria, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development Advocacy Council (Council of the Wise) joined the Regional Consultative Forum themed: Nigeria and the Challenges of National Unity Beyond 2023 General Elections.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, the Oragun of Oke Ila Osun state led the conversation supported by Prof Remi Sonaiya, Presidential candidate of KOWA party in the 2015 general elections, and Amb Sani Bala, Executive Director of Savannah Centre.

Speeches were presented by notable individuals with Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, Convener Say No Campaign – Nigeria as lead speaker; Dr. Adetunji Ogunyemi Associate Professor of Economic History, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State; Barr. Jumoke Ogunjebi Chairperson FIDA Ondo State and Obatola Jonathan, Founder/Executive Director, Pacesetters.

The event highlighted the challenges of national unity and possible ways to attain peace in 2023 general elections.

Advocacy visits to; Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, and the Ondo state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Oyediran Oyeyemi

As part of the continuous engagements of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development Advocacy Council (Council of the Wise) on National Unity and Cohesion, on 24th January 2023 engaged critical gate keepers and stakeholders in Ondo state.

The Council paid advocacy visits to; Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, and the Ondo state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Oyediran Oyeyemi.Their message was on the need for peaceful 2023 general elections and for the actualisation of a working and prosperous Nigeria.

Views were exchanged and commitments were made to a peaceful and secured Nigeria before, during, and after the elections.

Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, the Oragun of Oke Ila Osun State; Prof Remi Sonaiya, Presidential candidate of KOWA party in 2015 general elections and Amb Sani Bala, Executive Director of Savannah Centre were on the ground for the advocacies.

Advocacy Meeting to the Presidential Candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP)

On the 20th January 2023, the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development Council of the Wise met with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo in Abuja.

The meeting was part of the strategic engagement of the Council on the subject of national unity, issue-based campaign and quest for peaceful 2023 general elections.

Sensitization Workshop for Key Political Actors on Peaceful 2023 Elections and Electoral Act in Kano State

On the 17th of January 2023, Savannah Centre organized Sensitization Workshop for Key Political Actors on Peaceful 2023 Elections and Electoral Act in Kano epithet as Peace Pavilion 023.1 with the common theme; “Ku Zabi Zaman Lafiya” (Vote for Peace) in Kano state.

The event had eight Gubernatorial candidates in attendance such as; APGA, PRP, ADC, SDP, NRM, YPP, NNPP, ADP, AA, and AAC in attendance and also signed a “Pledge Card” to be peaceful; before, during and after the elections.

Also in attendance were Party Chairmen for ADC, ADP, AA, APM, SDP, and AA. Key stakeholders such as INEC, Police, DSS, NSCDC, and CSOs participated in the event as well, while the Emir of Kano also sent high-power representatives.

Citizens Town Hall Meeting on the 2023 General Elections: The Nation We Want & the President We Need

On the 16th December 2022, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development under the Leadership Effectiveness and Accountability (LEAD) project held its first Citizens Town Hall Meeting with the Theme: The 2023 General Elections: The Nation We Want & the President We Need.

Critical stakeholders expressed their views on matters pertaining to the current state of the country and key recommendations were made that could help guide the thoughts of Nigerians on characteristics to consider in getting the President we Need that may birth the nation we want.

National Quarterly Policy Desk Review (NQDR)

On the 7th December 2022, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development under the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) project held a National Quarterly Policy Desk Review (NQDR) with a special focus on: Climate Change Act, 2021, Food Security Bill, 2019 and Digital Right and Freedom Bill 2019.

The event gathered relevant stakeholders across CSOs, education, PWDs, and the legal sector. Key recommendations were made that could help improve the piece of legislation.

Indian High Commissioner

As part of Savannah Centre’s engagements with the diplomatic community in Nigeria, on the 9th December 2022, some of the management team of Centre met with the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E, Shri G. Balasubramanian at the Indian High Commission in Abuja to discuss possible areas of collaboration.

Plateau Online Policy Analysis (POPA)

Plateau Online Policy Analysis was held on the 30th November 2022with special focus on Plateau State Anti-land Grabbing, Kidnapping, Cultism, and Related Offences Law, 2020 and A Bill for a Law to Prohibit the Production, Sale, and Consumption of Illicit Drinks and Banned Substances and the Establishment of Cognitive Behaviour Therapeutic Centers in Plateau State and for other Matter Connected 2020.

Relevant opinions were elicited to aid the piece of legislations for easy implementation and passage respectively.

Capacity Building Workshop on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Interest Based Negotiation Mechanism (IBNM) for members of Katsina State Community Conflict and Dispute Resolution Centre (CCDRC)

On the 22nd and 23rd of November 2022, Savannah Centre with the CIPP partners organised a Capacity Building Workshop on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Interest Based Negotiation Mechanism (IBNM) for members of Katsina State Community Conflict and Dispute Resolution Centre (CCDRC) and other Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) structures in collaboration with Katsina State Government.

In attendance were; Chief Judge Katsina state, ADR Judge Katsina state Judiciary, Special Adviser on Security, Director Multi Door Court, key Trained Mediators, Research Think Tank Office of S.A Security amongst other strategic stakeholders.

The training was aimed at improving the capacity of the ADR community in the state on modern approaches in settling disputes outside legal means.

Learning Visit for  Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission

On the 16th and 17th November 2022, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, Pastoral Resolve (PARE), and Mercy Corps Nigeria (MCN), under the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) project co-organized a learning Visit for  Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC) to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP.

The purpose of this event was to amongst other things provide needed exposure, networking, and capacity for the officials of the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission as the sole implementing government agency for the VAPP Act in Kogi State.