ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY SOCIAL VOLUNTEERS
INTERNATIONAL (ACSVI)
was invited by the
Centre of China studies (CCS)
Report of Dialogue on China’s Governance Experience and the opportunities of
Nigeria-China Cooperation
PHOTO GALLERY OF THE DIALOGUE
The meeting of the HIGH-LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM on sustainable development in 2018 convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council will be held from Monday, 9 July, to Wednesday, 18 July 2018 in New York, United States of America.
The theme will be “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”. The set of goals to be reviewed in depth will be the following, including Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, that will be considered each year:
• Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
• Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
• Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable management of forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
The above listed goals which are going to be reviewed at the meeting are briefly explained below:
Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; Safe, secure and clean water and sanitation infrastructure and services are particularly important for poverty eradication, the reduction of inequalities and building sustainable and resilient societies in urban and rural communities. Such infrastructure is integral to making progress in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all and requires the implementation of target 6 and also supporting and strengthening the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; Access to sustainable energy is a prerequisite for poverty eradication and building the sustainability and resilience of communities, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 7 on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Access to clean and affordable energy is a key enabler of sustainable development in terms of nutrition, transport, education and economic opportunity. Increasing access to energy and promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in a manner that is responsive to the needs of different sectors of the population are priorities. Transitioning to clean and affordable energy will also help countries to reduce the impacts of indoor and outdoor air pollution. It could help to establish access to energy in places that are difficult to reach and strengthen low carbon development.
Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; Cities face new and evolving challenges because of rapid urbanization, a changing climate and social instability. From earthquakes to flooding, rapid population changes to social exclusion, cities face a range of shocks and stresses, both natural and human-made. Unplanned cities are, however, more vulnerable to shocks, sometimes literally in the case of cities built on fault lines susceptible to earthquakes.
A resilient city assesses, plans and acts to prepare for and respond to foreseeable hazards — both sudden and slow-onset. By doing so, resilient cities are better able to protect and enhance people’s lives, secure development gains, foster an environment conducive to investment, and drive positive change. Planning for the delivery of services to urban and rural dwellers should include the consideration of different scenarios for the future growth of urban centers and surrounding rural settlements, taking into account patterns of internal migration and mobility and the spatial distribution of the population. For example, regional and municipal governments should consider how urban infrastructure links to surrounding territories, ensuring that urban areas work in harmony with the rural areas on which they rely for food and natural resources.
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; Achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide, and irrigation now claims close to 70 percent of all freshwater appropriated for human use. The efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants, are important targets to achieve this goal. Encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce waste is equally important, as is supporting developing countries to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030.
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; Human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean for our sustenance and livelihood. Plant life provides 80 percent of our human diet, and we rely on agriculture as an important economic resource and means of development. Forests account for 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, providing vital habitats for millions of species and important sources for clean air and water; as well as being crucial for combating climate change.
Today we are seeing unprecedented land degradation, and the loss of arable land at 30 to 35 times the historical rate. Drought and desertification is also on the rise each year, amounting to the loss of 12 million hectares and affects poor communities globally. Of the 8,300 animal breeds known, 8 percent are extinct and 22 percent are at risk of extinction
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to conserve and restore the use of terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, dry lands and mountains by 2020. Promoting the sustainable management of forests and halting deforestations is also vital to mitigating the impact of climate change. Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity which are part of our common heritage.
Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development; The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be realized with a strong commitment to global partnership and cooperation. While official development assistance from developed countries increased by 66 percent between 2000 and 2014, humanitarian crises brought on by conflict or natural disasters continue to demand financial resources and aid. Many countries also require Official Development Assistance to encourage growth and trade.
The world today is more interconnected than ever before. Improving access to technology and knowledge is an important way to share ideas and foster innovation. Coordinating policies to help developing countries manage their debt, as well as promoting investment for the least developed, is vital to achieve sustainable growth and development.
The goals aim to enhance North-South and South-South cooperation by supporting national plans to achieve all the targets. Promoting international trade, and helping developing countries increase their exports, is all part of achieving a universal rules-based and equitable trading system that is fair and open, and benefits all.
The High-Level Political Forum Meeting will be of benefit to the Association of Community Social Volunteers International (ACSVI) AND THE GLOBAL RACE AGAINST POVERTY AND HIV/AIDS IN NIGERIA and the country Nigeria through the following:
• Generation of ideas and partnerships for provision of essential human needs
The explosion of population means people will have to scramble for the limited life essentials like food, shelter, and water. Adequate provision of these basic needs almost entirely hinges on infrastructure capable of sustaining them for a long time. If governments insist on utilizing fossil fuel based sources of energy instead of renewable and sustainable options, the cost and environmental effects of supplying these basic needs would become a tall order. Therefore, the Association of Community Social Volunteers International and Global Race against Poverty and Hiv/Aids in Nigeria as Non-Governmental Organizations will see to means necessary to provide sustenance to the country Nigeria and its ever growing population.
• Agricultural requirement and Implementation
Growing population of the nation Nigeria means agriculture must catch up. Finding ways to feed more than 170 million people can be staggering. If same unsustainable cultivation, planting, irrigation, spraying, and harvesting techniques are utilized in the future, they might prove to be financially burdening considering fossil fuel resources are projected to run out. Sustainable development focuses on sustainable agricultural methods such as effective seeding techniques and crop rotation to promote high yields while maintaining the integrity of the soil, which produces food for a large population. In that case, the Association of Community Social Volunteers International and Global Race against Poverty and Hiv/Aids in Nigeria will also create partnerships and acquire ideas in order to see rapid development in the agricultural sector of the nation Nigeria.
• Management of climate change
Climate change can be mitigated by sustainable development practices. Sustainable development practices seek to reduce the use of fossil-based sources of fuel like oil, natural gas, and coal. Fossil fuel sources of energy are unsustainable since they will deplete in the future and are responsible for the emission of greenhouse gasses. The Association of Community Social Volunteers International and Global Race against Poverty and Hiv/Aids in Nigeria will in the light of this carry the task of creating awareness in communities on the ways of managing climate change and its importance to the nation Nigeria.
• Communications & Collaborations
The SDGs define a common framework of action and language that will help companies communicate more consistently and effectively with stakeholders about their impact and performance. The Goals also help organizations bring together collaborative partners to address the world’s most urgent challenges that they might have little or no chance of addressing on their own. At such, the Association of Community Social Volunteers International and Global Race against Poverty and Hiv/Aids in Nigeria will try to create a collaborative and communication network to ensure sustainable development.
• Financial stability for nation building
Sustainable development practices have the ability to create more financially sustainable economies across the globe. Developing countries that can’t access fossil fuels can leverage renewable forms of energy to power their economies. From the development of renewable energy technologies, these countries can create sustainable jobs as opposed to finite jobs based on fossil fuel technologies, also a drive in other sustaining aspects of the economy such as infrastructural development and youth empowerment, thereby providing “money in the pockets for all”.
URGENT NEED OF VOLUNTEERS FOR IMMEDIATE RECRUITMENT
All interested candidates (ND & SSCE) both male & female should please contact the address below:
Block M, Suite 11, Powa International Plaza, Nyanya Check Point, Along Mararaba Road, Abuja.
OR CALL
08079996312, 08136694641
OR
Send E-mail to:acsvi.ngo@yahoo.com, ngoacswi200@yahoo.com
CANDIDATES SHOULD COME ALONG WITH THEIR CREDENTIALS
The 11thAgroExpo Eurasia, International Agriculture, Greenhouse and Livestock Exhibition, organized by Orion Fair Public Relation Company was held from the 11th – 14th February, 2016 at theInternational Izmir Exhibition Center, Izmir – Turkey.
The four day exhibition hosted about two hundred and fifty thousand (250, 000) persons on a one hundred and ten thousand exhibition floor thus confirming its characteristic of being the largest agricultural trade fair in Turkey.
At the Trade Fair, different types of high quality agro–machines were exhibited at affordable prices from all over the world. We went to a trade fair where we saw various types of agricultural machineries and agro chemicals by different manufacturersfrom different parts of the world being displayed.
During the Exhibition, there were B2B meetings where Turkish agricultural investors, agricultural companies and other foreign investors where present to discuss various investment opportunities. Many of these agricultural companies indicated keen interest in investing in the Nigerian agricultural sector as well as in establishing their plants in Nigeria.
The B2B meeting was held in Swiss hotel at about 9:00 pm on 11th February, 2016 with mixed delegations comprising of Dr.Lamin Mohammed Kpaka(Executive Director of ACSVI), two representatives from Machong Integrated Farms Limited, Mr. KolchiAbinanadab (Manager), the Turkish investors delegation namely: Mr. Abdullahi(President), Mr.GokhanAyhan (General Manager), Ali Coskun (Chief Executive Officer) and three representatives of the Nigerian Community in Turkey namely: Mr. Prince EmireMagboh (President), Mr. Richard H. Oziegbe (General Secretary) and Mr. Obi Wisdom (Treasurer).
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This meeting was held between the three groups concerning the attraction of investment from Turkey to Nigeria in the areas of agriculture, education, water, infrastructure which includes construction of road and real estate, capital investment and manufacturing.
Some Turkish agricultural farms were also visited after the fair so as to witness the latest agricultural advancements and trends utilized in these farms for improved agriculturalyields in both plants and livestock as advertised by the companies during the exhibition.
Nigeria was invited as a Honorary country for the 11th Agro-expo Eurasia, International Agriculture, Greenhouse and Livestock Exhibition and some delegates voluntary participated from Nigeria in the fair as discuss in the previous fair. The Executive Director of NGO ACSVI, Dr. Lamin Mohammed Kpaka and his team met with Ms. Irmak TAN, Director of international Affairs of ORION FAIR. However, the Turkish agricultural team and other investors who would be coming to Nigeria to meet the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to hold discussions on how Livestock model can be implemented in some farms in Nigeria. ACSVI has the mandate to prepare for the proposed meeting by liaisingwith the Minister to find out his convenient time for this and work in collaboration with the Turkish agricultural team and other investors.
At the proposed livestock model to be constructed in Nigeria, agricultural investor mainly from Turkey and other parts of the world will be invited to participate, thereby bringing their expertise to contribute to the growth of the Nigerian Agriculture sector.
The Exhibition which was held at the International İzmir Exhibition Center, Izmir – Turkey is a leader of EURASIA thanks to the amplitude of its exhibition spaces and the range of its exhibits as well as their high technological level. Manufacturers from all over the world bring their best products, previews of their latest products and their most advanced technology.
The fair is organized by Orion Fair Services and Public Relations Limited Company according to clear and rigorous product categories. As a result, a vast throng of industry professionals can focus easily on what they are interested in and optimize their schedules.
The Exhibition is a 4 day event which showcases product from Agriculture & Forestry, Meat, Poultry & Seafood industries.
The Opening Ceremony was held with the participation of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, Aziz Kocaoglu, Izmir Deputy Governor HuseyinIctan, Deputy of Food Agriculture and Livestock Provincial Manager SelamiTuran, President of IFAJ (International Agriculture Journalists Federation) Markus Rediger, CHP Member of Parliament AlaattinYuksel, President of Turkish National Meat Council, Mustafa Bilikci, President of Cattle Breeders’ Association of Turkey CemalettinOzden, President of Sheep and Goat Breeders’ Central Association of Turkey Ozer Turer, President of Board of Directors of ARISUD Association MelihKirkpinar, Board Chairman of Orion FuarcilikFatih Tan and a number of protocol members on 12thFebruary, 2015 at 11:00am.
The event attracted a total of 198,716 visitors. The city of Agriculture and Livestock hosting this great event attracted great attention by farmers, farm owners and sector professional in Turkey as mainly Aegean. The exhibition which was visited by a total of 198,716 persons by means of 1500 bus organization by Orion Fair left its mark on the sector.
The participants of the exhibition occupied 45,000 m2 exhibition areawhich included 708 companies comprising of tractor and sub-industry, greenhouse, seed, seedling, sapling, fertilizer, pesticide industry, irrigation and plastic sector, livestock, animal production machines, veterinary services and animal health companies and representatives. Moreover, there were 28 foreign participant companies from 16 countries and 5400 foreigners from 52 countries visited the exhibition.
The exhibition lasting for 4 days was open between the hours of 10:00 and 18:00 on 12th-14thFebruary and 10:00 and 17:00 on 15thFebruary.
The numerous gains and benefits at the fair include but are not limited to the following:
VISITORS AT THE FAIR
Nigeria as a country was not invited to the fair this year. However, the Executive Director of ACSVI, Dr. Lamin Mohammed Kpaka and his team held discussions with Miss. Irmak Tan, Director of International Affairs of ORION FAIR, organizers of the fair, on how Nigeria will be invited as a country to the 2016 Agro Expo Eurasia & Animal Expo. Discussions were also held on hosting the fair in Nigeria. However, Irmak Tan, Director of International Affairs of the fair would be coming to Nigeria to meet the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to hold discussions in that regard. Our NGO ACSVI has the mandate to prepare for this meeting by liaising with the Minister to find out his convenient time for this and work with it in collaboration with ORION FAIR, organizers of the fair.
At the proposed fair to be held in Nigeria, Agricultural investors mainly from Turkey and others from all over the world will be invited to participate, thereby bringing their expertise to contribute to the growth of the Nigerian agricultural sector.
Furthermore, the fair will benefit the Agricultural sector as these investors coming from all over the world will invest in Forestry, Rice Production, Banana and Orange Plantations, all kinds of Fruits and Vegetables, Meat, Poultry and Seafood industries in Nigeria. The fair will also open doors for Nigerians to export agricultural products to the Turkish market and vice versa as well as sign partnership contracts with these investors.
During the 10thAgro Expo Eurasia & 6th Animal Expo held in Izmir – Turkey, Dr. Lamin Mohammed Kpaka and his team held series of meetings with various Chief Executive Officers and Representatives of several agro based companies who showed interest in the Nigerian agricultural sector.
The International Volunteer Day (IVD) is an annual international observance designated by the United Nations since 1985, which offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make their visible contribution at the local, national and international levels, towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
IVD is marked by many Non-Governmental Organizations including the Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organizations, Red Cross Society, CSO’s, CBO’s among others. It is marked and supported by United Nations Volunteers on the 5th day of December every year.
The United Nations volunteers work closely with partners and governments to establish National Volunteer programmes to create structures that foster and sustain local volunteerism. Through the online volunteering services, volunteers can take action for sustainable human development by supporting development activities over the internet.
The main focus of the IVD celebration is not only to celebrate volunteerism in all its facets, but to also pay special tribute to people’s participation that lead to stronger governance, social cohesion, peace and sustainable development. It is a unique opportunity for individuals and volunteer involving organizations to work with governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies, non-profit institutions, community groups, academia and the private sector.
The International Volunteer Day (IVD) celebrated every year inspires volunteers through their contributions and enlightens them on volunteering activities and its numerous benefits. This event attracts millions of people in communities around the globe.
The Association of Community Social Volunteers International (ACSVI) in conjunction with the United Nations celebrated the IVD in 2016 to recognize the effort of volunteers who have contributed immensely to the socio-economic development at local and national levels in Nigeria.
ACSVI Volunteers posing for a snapshot during road show awareness campaign in Karu LGA
of Nasarawa State during the 2016 UN International Volunteers Day celebration in Nigeria
The International Volunteers Day 2016 as observed by ACSVI on the 5th of December was marked by two activities, the first being the outdoor activity and closely followed by the indoor activity. On the day of the event, participants were gathered at the Association of Community Social Volunteer International’s Field office by 9:00am for the outdoor activity during which they marched and sang in group on major Roads in Nyanya Sub-Urban District and Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The participants shared handbills to motorists and passersby to create awareness on volunteerism. After the road show, the participants marched to Freshland Hotel in Karu for the Indoor activity.
The indoor activity was interactive as it featured questions and answers from volunteers and invited guests. The event also witnessed handsome contributions from volunteers. The climax of the event was the global applause orchestrated in recognition of volunteers all over the world. Many volunteers from CSOs, CBOs and NGOs participated in the event. The media crew from African Independent Television (AIT) and Independent Television (ITV)were also present to grace the event.
ACSVI Volunteers at the indoor event of the 2016 UN International Volunteers Daycelebration in Nigeria at Freshland Hotels Mararaba, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State.
