Kingsley Okpabi O. is a graduate of Fishery and Aquaculture from Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue state. He is currently the National Programme Manager of Jireh Doo Foundation (JDF) and has continued to ensure that the organisation meets her set objectives. He has core skills and capacity in programme management, advocacy, lobbying and campaigning.
Safeguarding has become a more critical part of Jireh Doo Foundation’s (JDF) programmes and is being mainstreamed across JDF thematic sectors and areas of operations across Nigeria. To ensure compliance, a member of JDF’s Board of Trustees has been given direct oversight after an in-depth capacity strengthening by RSH Nigeria.
With support from RSH and using the local language, Hausa, JDF facilitated a training on safeguarding with 6 community leaders and 10 community volunteers in attendance.
The aim of the training was to strengthen the capacity of community leaders and volunteers on safeguarding as gatekeepers, influential persons who oversee the welfare of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and members of their host community (Gyelmari in Mafa local government area).
The community leader, Bulama Modu, was excited about the training and said that it had empowered them with the right information and enabled them to respond appropriately as leaders whenever safeguarding issues arose. He said this also meant that they were better able to hold humanitarian agencies accountable, especially those who have not shared their safeguarding and feedback channels with them.
The topics treated during the training include Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, definition of safeguarding, A-Z of safeguarding, Sexual Harassment, humanitarian staff conduct, and reporting channels among others.
This approach is gradually changing the status quo and ensuring that we completely bring safeguarding issues to an end, while projecting the roles of women in community-led actions. Thanks to RSH Nigeria Hub for making this plan possible.