held at: reiz continental hotel, central business district ... · alongside the nutrition advisor....

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Report of the Official Launch of the SMILE Program

Held At:

Reiz Continental Hotel, Central Business District, Abuja

October 10, 2013

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Table of Contents

Pages

Introduction 3

The Event Detail 3

Participants 4-6

Introductory Remarks 6-8

Messages from Partners 8-10

Closing protocols 11

Appendices

Appendix 1: Photo Gallery 12-17

Appendix 2: Agenda/Program of activities 18

Appendix 3: List of staff members that provided logistical assistance 19

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1.0 Introduction

The Sustainable Mechanisms for Improving Livelihoods and Household Empowerment (SMILE) program,

a USAID funded Umbrella Grant Mechanism supporting vulnerable children organized an official launch

of the program in October 2013. The launch was to formally flag off the program implementation. It was

meant to inform the OVC actors in Nigeria including the government of Nigeria, SMILE states and other

IPs about the program objectives, geographical coverage, target, and expectations. It equally provided a

forum for interaction between SMILE program staff and key actors in Nigeria’s OVC response; facilitate

networking opportunities while advocating for increased commitment to vulnerable children’s welfare

especially by the government.

This report summarizes the proceedings of the launch and memorable moments as captured by the

Cameraman. It is presented in 6 sections and 3 appendices.

2.0 Event Detail

The event took place on October 10, 2013 inside the Continental Hall, Reiz Continental Hotel, Central

Business District Abuja. The registration of participants started by 9.30am but the event proper

commenced at 10.20am

with an opening prayer

said by the Executive

Secretary, Catholic

Caritas Foundation of

Nigeria (CCFN), Rev. Fr.

Evaristus Bassey. This

was followed by the

recitation of the

Nigerian national

anthem; and the

introduction of special

guests of honor. These included the State Commissioners, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs officials,

Apostolic Nuncio and Vatican Ambassador to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja who represented

the President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama among others.

Figure 1: Participants' Registration in progress

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3.0 Participants

The participants reflected the various constituencies in Nigeria’s OVC response such as the government,

other Implementing partners, the media, the Church, CSO networks etc. There were 86 persons and 18

media organizations in attendance. The State Ministry of Women’s Affairs Commissioners from

Nasarawa, Benue and

Edo attended in person

while that of Kogi was

represented by the

Permanent Secretary.

Similarly, the FCT

Secretary, Social

Development

Secretariat, (the

equivalent of a

Commissioner in the

states) was represented

by the Director, Gender

Development. A

Director in the Federal

Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development stood in for the Permanent Secretary. She was

accompanied to the event by two senior staff of the ministry namely the Deputy Director OVC, and the

QI/M&E Officer. Meanwhile, the Directors of Child Development from the 5 SMILE State’s Ministry of

Women’s Affairs attended in person. However, the Director General, National Agency for the Control of

AIDS (NACA) was represented by an Assistant Director and MIS and Knowledge Management expert in

the agency.

The IPs that attended the launch were Save the Children represented by the Chief of Party STEER1

Project and 2 other staff; Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), University Research Company

(URC)2 and Management Sciences for Health (MSH). The Country Manager of SPRING3 Project attended

1 Save the Children leads the consortium implementing the STEER project, which like SMILE is USAID funded UGM being

implemented in 5 states of Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Bauchi and Plateau state 2 The URC is a Technical Partner to SMILE commissioned by USAID to provide technical assistance in the area of Quality

Improvement

Figure 2: State Commissioners, Directors and FMOWA staff. Seated from left are Commissioners from Edo, Nasarawa, Rep of PS FMOWA, Benue Commissioner and PS Kogi State. Standing are the Directors of the 5 SMOWA

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alongside the Nutrition Advisor. Others are Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN); Pact Nigeria

and Futures Group/Measure Evaluation. Two national Civil Society Organization networks, the Network

of Persons Living with HIV in Nigeria (NEPHWAN) and Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN)

graved the occasion. The National Coordinator of NEPHWAN attended in person but the Executive

Director of CiSHAN sent representatives.

The Catholic Church was represented by the Apostolic Nuncio and Vatican Ambassador to Nigeria,

Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, who stood in for the President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria

(CBCN) Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama. In addition, two staff of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN)

joined in the celebration.

Figure 3: Archbishop Kasujja (R) making a point in discussion with CRS Country Rep, Chris Bessey (first left) and Head of Programs, Michael Hatch

A total of 18 media organizations represented by 25 reporters covered the event. These were made up

of 5 television houses among which were the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and a privately-owned

Africa Independent Television (AIT). The two television stations have nationwide viewership and are

available on Satellite via DSTV. The other media outfits were 2 radio stations- Federal Radio Corporation

of Nigeria and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC); News Agency of Nigeria (NAN); and 10 daily

3 SPRING means Strengthening Partnerships, Results and Innovations in Nutrition Globally and a Technical partner supporting

SMILE in the area of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)

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newspapers. Some of the newspapers with national readership that covered the event are The

Guardian, National Mirror, Thidsay and Daily Trust.

Figure 4: Here, Action Aid's Country Director, Dr. Hussaini Abdu (L) speaks to the media

4.0 Introductory Remarks

The introductory remarks from the SMILE consortium were delivered by the CRS Nigeria Country

Representative, Chris Bessey and Country Director Action Aid Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu. The Chief of

Party, SMILE Program, Sasha Angelevski, presented his introductory remarks in form of an overview of

the Program.

4.1 Remarks CRS Country Representative The speech delivered by the CRS Nigeria’s

Country Representative centered around three

fundamental and reflective questions: 1. ‘Why

SMILE is a great example of how the

IHD framework can guide strategies

that strengthen government, private

sector, and communities where most

needed to ensure success – in this case

– vulnerable children receive the care

they deserve. Chris Bessey

Figure 5: CRS Country Representative, Chris Bessey delivering his speech

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do we have non-governmental organizations, or NGOs?’ 2. What is their purpose? 3. What value do we

add through NGOs? CRS has developed the Integral Human Development (IHD) framework to answer

these questions. It was noted that IHD was developed in 2003 building on ‘livelihood’ frameworks from

DfID and CARE, it was also further explained that IHD “provides an understanding of what exists in a

given context in order to determine the best possible program activities to respond to identified

weaknesses. IHD looks at how Assets, Systems, and Structures function within a society”. Looking at

SMILE with IHD lens, Mr. Bessey affirmed that SMILE is a great example of how the IHD framework can

guide strategies that strengthen government, private sector, and communities where most needed to

ensure success – in this case – vulnerable children receive the care they deserve. He expressed

confidence that the SMILE Program will transform the lives of the poor and vulnerable people in a

sustainable manner.

4.2 Remarks by Action Aid Country Director The Country Director, Action Aid Nigeria in his speech expressed delight about the partnership between

Action Aid and CRS under the SMILE program. He identified poverty as the major cause of vulnerability

among children and households and enjoined government, civil society and individuals to pay serious

attention to poverty reduction. He stressed that Nigeria cannot continue to pay lip service to issues of

poverty since the future of the country itself is tied to the future of the children. Though the SMILE

Program offers an opportunity to improve the lives of children in the targeted states, government and

other donors should make determined efforts to address problems faced by vulnerable children in other

states for equitable national development.

4.3 Remarks by SMILE Chief of Party SMILE Chief of Party provided a general overview of the program including the number of children and

caregivers to be reached in 5 years, the amount of the grant, and cost share to be contributed by CRS

and Action Aid. He stated that

“through SMILE our donor, USAID,

will invest close to $ 33 Million while

CRS and Action Aid … will be

providing considerable matching

funds of over $ 2 million in the next

5 years”. He noted that the program

was not developed in isolation by a

Figure 6: Sasha Angelevski presenting an Overview of SMILE

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few people and without the active participation of the government of Nigeria. “USAID in consultation

with GoN sent a request for proposal asking NGOs to think out of the box and provide program design

that will respond to the real need in Nigeria… and in a long run set the vulnerable communities on a

path of recovery”. He further stated that the design of the SMILE program was participatory and based

on evidence generated through a baseline study conducted by the consortium partners. In addition, the

consortium engaged in numerous consultations with communities, community and traditional leaders as

well as local authorities and line ministries in order to articulate the best project model. Therefore, the

“success of the project also depends on active participation of all these stakeholders”. CoP and SMILE

program team hopes that SMILE project can create the ‘initial spark’ that will set the communities on

the path of recovery and self-reliance, protecting the best interest of the vulnerable children in the

communities.

5.0 Messages from Partners

The partners that delivered messages of support included URC, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs

and Social Development and the Ministries of Women Affairs from the SMILE program states4 -Benue,

Edo, Kogi, Nasarawa and FCT.

5.1 Message from URC The representative of URC Chief of Party pledged the organization’s commitment to train SMILE

partners in Quality Improvement Science to guarantee all round development for children. He

emphasized the importance of community participation in needs identification and participation in

finding the local solutions to them. This according to him represents a paradigm shift from PEPFAR I

approach which was largely characterized by one-size-fits all service provision model with scant regard

to the expressed needs of each child.

5.2 Message from the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development The representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social

Development harped on the need to align project activities with the new National Priority Agenda. She

pledged the Ministry’s support to the SMILE program and thanked USAID, and the SMILE consortium

partners for the ‘laudable’ initiative.

4 The 5 states had a joint address delivered on their behalf by the Benue State Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and

Social Development.

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Figure 7: Mrs. Tran Ajufo, representative of the FMWASD delivering a message of support

5.3 Message from the SMILE States The Commissioners from the 5 states in their message expressed gratitude to USAID and the SMILE

consortium partners for choosing their states. According to them, “this support will no doubt move

Nigeria closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals”. They pledged their commitment

towards the success of the program thus:

As representatives of the governments from the 5 states, we are committed to support

the SMILE project and its partners to implement the project using instruments, tools,

evidence based and practical community development processes that will promote the

wellbeing of our people on a sustainable basis. We shall provide the necessary assistance

and enabling environment to make this project succeed.

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Figure 8: Hon. Commissioner, SMWA Benue State, Mrs. Elizabeth N Allagh, presenting the joint message on behalf of the SMILE states

They listed their expectations from the program to include the establishment of an efficient VC data

management system that will inform evidence-based OVC response, and the strengthening of existing

relevant State and local government structures to effectively monitor and coordinate VC programs in

their respective states.

Closing protocols The launch formally ended with a vote of thanks by CRS Head of Programs, Michael Hatch and a closing

prayer offered by the Action Aid Country Director, Dr. Hussaini Abdu.

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Appendix 1: Photo Gallery

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CHIEF OF PARTY, CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES IN NIGERIA, MR SASHA ANGELEVSKI (L), IN A HANDSHAKE WITH THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR, ACTIONAID, DR HUSSEIN ABDUL, AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF SUSTAINABLE MECHANISMS FOR IMPROVING LIVELIHOODS AND HOUSEHOLD EMPOWERMENT (SMILE) PROGRAM IN ABUJA ON THURSDAY (10/10/13). WITH THEM IS APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO NIGERIA, ARCHBISHOP AUGUSTINE KASUJJA.

Photo Credit: © 2013 News Agency of Nigeria. All rights reserved.

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Participants exchanging pleasantries at the event

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Consortium Partner staff in the mood of the celebration: Here Tapfuma Murove (R) of CRS poses with Jummai of Action Aid at the event

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Partnership in Action: Here, Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs Benue state, Hon. Elizabeth Allagh in a warm handshake with Chris Bessy, CRS Country Rep. With them are the Director Child Development, Benue State (L), Sasha Angeleviski (middle) and Lutere Okar (R), Benue State Coordinator SMILE Program

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A Cross-section of participants

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IN CELEBRATION MOOD: Here Maryann, Nasarawa State Coordinator for SMILE Program poses beside the SMILE logo

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Appendix 2: SMILE Program Launch Agenda

9:30-10 am Arrival and registration of participants

10:00- 10:10 Opening prayer/National Anthem – Rev Father Evaristus Bassey

10:10- 10:20 Introductory remarks: Action Aid Country Director

10:20-10:30 Introductory remarks: CRS Country Representative

10:30- 10:40 Overview of the SMILE Program by the SMILE CoP

MESSAGES FROM PARTNERS

10:40 - 10:50 CoP University Research Company (URC)

10:50 - 11:10 Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development

11:10 - 11:20 Representative of the 5 SMILE Program States – Benue Commissioner MWASD

11:20- 11:30 Vote of thanks by the Head of Programs, CRS

11:30 – 12:00 Cocktail and press statements

12:00 – 13:30 Lunch

Master of Ceremony: Amarachi Ogbonna

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Appendix 3: Staff Responsibilities on Event Day

S/N Tasks Responsible person(s)

Confirmation of guests’ arrivals Taiwo (Wednesday evening)

Checking of hall arrangement As above

1 Staff shuttle to and from the event venue Taiwo/Ismail

2 Setting of banners in the hall (and the hotel fence?)

3 Registration of Participants (and distribution of SMILE Brief) Opeyemi and Helen

4 Welcome Joseph/MaryAnn

Ushering in of guests to the hall Sunday/Godwin

5 Photography Taiwo to identify a photographer (a Vendor) - for back-up Sasha/Anslem to check if there are cameras in CRS and AA to be used. Anslem is the official photographer)

6 Media Liaison Taiwo and Tunde (AA)

7 Per diem/Transport Reimbursements to stakeholders from the states

Taiwo

8 Hotel liaison Luter/Sunday/Taiwo

9 General Event Coordination Tapfuma

10 Report Writing- documenting the process Uche

11 Sound systems and projectors Bisi

12 Workshop Tags (SMILE logo written Official) Taiwo

held at: reiz continental hotel, central business district ... · alongside the nutrition advisor....

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