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2019 NEWSAN ANNUAL REPORT

Acknowledgement

The Secretariat wishes to acknowledge all partners and members who have supported the network through the years; our appreciation goes to the Steering Committee members who have over the years kept the network running. Also we appreciate our State Chapters who have stood as our community champions over the years.

We equally want to appreciate our Partners who believed and helped to interpret the vision of the founding members, worthy of mention are: NTGS, FMWR, UNICEF, WSSCC, UP, WASH, WANG, Ambassador, AMCOW, SWA, the Media especially NAN, STGS and the community members.

Our profound gratitude goes especially to the past National Coordinate WSSCC-Dr Priscilla Achakpa and our immediate past National Coordinator- Mr. Leo Atakpu who have kept the dream alive.

The NC and NEC Members are also appreciated for creating an enabling environment for the Secretariat to function effectively.

Last but not the least we wish to appreciate all our state chapters, members and especially our Abuja Chapter who have supported the activities in the Secretariat

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Table of Content

1.0 Introduction……………………………………………...4

2.0 Activities for 2019………………………………………..4

3.0 Activity Outcomes…....................................................23

4.0 Challenges………………………………………………..23

5.0 Recommendations….....................................................24

6.0 Conclusion & Next Steps………………………………..24

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Acronyms

FCT……………………………………………………………Federal Capital Territory

NEWSAN………………………………………………Society for Water and Sanitation

WASH…………………………………………………….Water Sanitation and Hygiene

CSOs…………………………………………………………..Civil Society Organisations

NGF…………………………………………………………..Nigerian Governors’ Forum

PEWASH………………………………………………Partnership for Expanded WASH

MDAs………………………………………………Ministries, Departments and Agencies

GERI……………...........................Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative

NTGS…………………………………………………..National Task Group on Sanitation

UNICEF……………………….United Nations International Children Education Fund

WSSCC…………………………….Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council

UP……………………………………………………………………………United Purpose

WANG…………………………………………………………………..Water Aid Nigeria

AMCOW…………………………………………….African ministerial Council on Water

SWA………………………………………………………….Sanitation and Water for All

NAN………………………………………………………………..News Agency of Nigeria

STGS……………............................................................State Task Groupon Sanitation

OCHA……………………………….Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

GHWD…………………………………………………………….Global Handwashing Day

MHM……………………………………………………...Menstrual Hygiene Management

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1. Introduction

Nigeria has made substantial progress in developing policies and strategies for water supply and sanitation service delivery yet Open defecation is still practiced by about one third of her population and only about 42% of households have  access to safe water. The effort at reducing open defecation by the government, donors and implementing partners have so far yielded only 20 LGAs with Open defecation free status out of 774 LGAs which is far too small compare to the nation’s ambition to end open defecation by 2025. Currently, Nigeria is globally the first open defecation practising nation after the exit of India.

This situation made the current Nigerian Government to declare a state of emergency in November 2018. With the declaration the National Action Plan for Revitalization of Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector at State House Conference Centre was inaugurated where President Muhammed Buhari directed government at all levels to redouble efforts and work towards meeting the nation’s water supply and sanitation needs. Furthermore, “the clean Nigeria use a toilet “campaign was launched in 2019 in addition to the PEWASH. These actions are geared towards ensuring Nigeria does not only exit her current position on the OD status but becomes open defecation free by 2025.

This by implication means all stakeholders in the WASH sector must give all that it takes to ensure that Nigeria attain her goal of 2025 ODF status. NEWSAN as the major stakeholder representing CSOs had to step up on her stakeholders’ engagement. Thus in 2019, the National Secretariat engaged in advocacies with stakeholders at the national level and encouraged the states to do same.

2. Activities for 2019

NEWSAN with the support of WSSCC organised a two day workshop with the goal of the workshop was for members to jointly work and contribute to moving the network forward by enhancing the capacity of the network in order to sustain its relevance in the sector. Also, to help various partners live up their expectations, to enable the network achieve it set goals and objectives.

22 participants conveyed at the First Step Initiative’s office Makurdi Benue State for a 2-day workshop to develop the 2019 work plan and other relevant documents for smooth running of the network.

Presentations

Objectives of the meeting by NEWSAN National Coordinator (NC) A review of 2018 Work plan/Assessment of performance/ result so far by NEWSAN National

Program officer. Opening remark by Executive director First Step Action Initiative An overview of NEWSAN strategic plan by NC and FCT Coordinator Identification and analysis of current NEWSAN gaps; membership registration/annual

certificate of registration, by Deputy National Coordinator, and the General -Secretary SWOT analysis of NEWSAN 2019 work plan development by groups

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Group Photograph of NEWSAN Members

NEWSAN with support of SWA held a one-day workshop with the theme of 2019 Sectoral Ministerial Meeting with the aim of bridging the gap of inequalities towards partnering to finance and achieve the water, sanitation and hygiene targets of the Sustainable Development Goals 6. This was to further sensitise National WASH Sector Stakeholders including CSOs and to enable participants contribute and validate the CSOs’ commitments to the Sector’s Ministers Meeting (SMM) which was to be presented by NEWSAN’s National Coordinator in Costa Rica.

In order to ensure a robust participation, 12 CSOs around the FCT participated in the meeting and in addition, Stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including media houses both print and electronic (Television and Radio Stations) participated.

The participants from key MDAs delivered good will messages in words of encouragement to NEWSAN and their commitments towards supporting the presidential declaration of State of Emergency on WASH Sector. They all promised to cooperate with the network on the needed support.

The meeting provided opportunity for more Stakeholders engagement and support for the CSOs commitments. Stakeholders declared their support for NEWSAN and encouraged her to do more particularly those agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Finance who claimed being only aware of both the Sector’s and Finance Ministers participation at the meeting.

Stakeholders @the one day workshop on CSOs capacities

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The forum after much discussion and deliberations agreed on the following three commitments which are,  

i. NEWSAN commits to build advocacy messages, activities and engage with policy makers so as to hold them accountable for their compliance with Nigeria’s WASH sector’s 2014 and 2019 SWA commitments and Ngor declaration by 2021. 

ii. NEWSAN will intensify its engagement with the State Governors on state by state basis through the Nigeria’s Governors' Forum (NGF) and enlisting the support and concerns of the Legislators at both National and State Levels towards improved provision of WASH services by 2021.  

iii. NEWSAN will work with the government and advocate for the establishment of appropriate mechanism and conducive environment that will guide the participation of the private sector in supporting and providing WASH services and facilities by 2021.

The National Secretariat conducted advocacy visit on the 12 th of September 2019 to the Chairman Governors’ Forum- His Excellency Kayode Fayemi@ his Abuja office.The aim of the meeting was to solicit NGF’s support for enhanced implementation of WASH at the states level in the country. The network had representations from CSOs around the FCT with the leadership of the National Coordinator requested the governor to support the implementation of WASH particularly at the states level towards the “Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet programme geared towards ODF by 2025.

NC-NEWSAN addressing the Chairman NGF The NGF Chairman, Mr Kayode Fayemi commended the roles of the CSOs for taking the lead in ensuring that state governors keyed into the WASH sector. He promised that the NGF Secretariat will study the advocacy document presented to him and see areas where his office can support the aspirations of the CSOs. The visit was covered by NAN representative who reported as follows. https://nnn.com.ng/csos-solicit-ngfs-support-to-enhance-implementation-of-water-sanitation/

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NC presents the NEWSAN Policy document to the Chairman NGF

The NEWSAN National Secretariat in collaboration with her Federal Capital Territory chapter conducted an advocacy visit to the Chairman House Committee on water resources; the meeting main objectives were:

i. To seek the support of the committee chairman on promotion of increased WASH budget and counterpart funding

ii. To engage the House membership on policies that will support private sector participation on WASH

iii. To advocate for human rights to water, sanitation and hygiene

The participants at the meeting were the Chairman House committee on water resources, clerk of the house on water resources, Legislative officer attach to the House committee chairman’s office, NEWSAN National coordinator, NEWSAN FCT coordinator, members of the network around FCT and representative from NAN.

NEWSAN National coordinator opened the meeting with appreciation to the chairman for honouring the meeting and spoke further on the purpose of the visit which as stated above. To ensure that these objectives are met, he asked the chairman to engage his colleagues in the house on ensuring that the gap on human rights to water was bridged; this can be achieved by including sanitation in public schools which for now is grossly inadequate and ensuring that commitments made by Nigeria government at SWA in 2014 are taken seriously with strategies developed to achieve them. He called on the chairman to seek promotion on policies that will address the issues of counterpart funding which state governors have been reluctant to honour; this he reiterated have denied their citizens of benefiting from donor funded programmes that could have bettered their lives.

In response, the chairman appreciated the network for her work on ensuring every Nigeria has access to WASH facilities. He encouraged the network to further deepen their community engagement to create grassroots awareness on the necessity of WASH. He affirmed that, the House committee was aware of Nigeria’s open defecation status globally and was doing everything within them to support the presidential move towards ending OD especially through the PEWASH. On WASH budgeting, he commended the minister of water resources efforts towards ensuring that WASH was captured appreciably and gave his word that he will urge the minister to support the network.

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NEWSAN FCT members at the meeting & NC presents NEWSAN Policy doc to the Chairman House committee on Water

TRAININGS

Training of Trainers: First National Training of Trainers on Menstrual Hygiene Management Nigeria was held by WSSCC in partnership with FMWR & FMWA &SD organised as ToT MHM at Benue Hotels and Resorts, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria (25th -30th March, 2019).

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NEWSAN members from FCT, Ebonyi State, Cross River State and Benue State joined 76 other participants at the workshop drawn from core ministries and parastatals of government at the national and state levels to include the Ministries of Women Affairs, Environment, Water Resources, Health, Education, National Orientation Agency (NOA), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA), Cross River State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (CRUWASSA, Anambra State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, Jigawa State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, Bauchi State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency as well as development partners, UNICEF, United Purpose, Action Against Hunger and other interest groups.

The aim of the training was to achieve the following objectives:

i. To create a cohort of trainers with the knowledge and skills on inclusive WASH & MHM, so that they can train and build a cadre of trainers at State level, who in turn will train health extension workers and water and sanitation practitioners, teachers, parents, and peers.

ii. ii. Create an entry point to broader policy influence focusing on equality and nondiscrimination in WASH and beyond.

iii. iii. To promote the integration of holistic MHM in the various ministries and sectors through experience sharing and learning from each other. iv. Lobby for the MHM financing across WASH actors in Nigeria.

Menstrual Hygiene Management Step down Training: GERI who was a NEWSAN representative at the MHM ToT embarked on step down training for menstrual hygiene management for her staff and other members of Civil Society Organisations in Benue State. The first was hosted at GERI office premises with 13 members(4males 9females) in attendance from three different organisations (Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative, Gender and Community Empowerment Initiative, Aunty Meg Foundation and Women Environmental Programme) The training exposed participants to the need to break the silence on menstruation, different materials for collecting menstrual blood, the need to provide safe spaces for girls in school and public places for managing menstruation, and proper disposal of menstrual waste. The training ended with an action plan to further step down the training to more beneficiaries and a pledge to break the silence on menstruation.

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The second step down training was organized by the Civil Society Organisations-Benue at Elohim Development Foundation Makurdi where GERI co facilitated the training for further step down at IDP camps in Benue State. The step down training had in attendance 90 (57 females, 33 Males) IDPs in attendance. Experiences were shared and they were sensitized on the how to manage menstruation, the role of men during menstruation which is supporting girls and women, the various disposal methods of menstrual waste, the relationship between menstruation and hygiene. The IDPs welcomed the training as it exposed them to the importance of speaking about menstruation and maintaining a good hygiene during and after menstruation. The men and women pledged to manage menstruation in and outside the camp.

Data Capture: FCT Chapter in partnership with the National Secretariat on the 13 th November; held a capacity building for her members, FCT Members of STGs and Environmental Protection Agency on mapping of OD status in the FCT. They were engaged on using MWater software to map the WASH facilities in public places in FCT.

FCT chapter building stakeholders’ capacity

COMMEMORATION OF WASH RELATED DAYS

WORLD WATER DAY

Water is an important component of our thematic areas besides being one of the core needs for human existence. Against this backdrop, GERI an arrowhead CSO of NEWSAN in Benue State carried out a one-week(18th -22nd March 2019) social media campaign to emphasize the need for clean and safe water which is a human right for all. The campaign covered inculcating gender in the process of design and maintenance of water channels, the process of water purification, and access to water. In fulfillment of this year’s theme of leaving no one behind, GERI also planned and executed sensitization activity at Agwan Jukun Community of Awe Street Makurdi. The activity was aimed at paying advocating to stakeholders of the community, towards creating awareness on how to protect their water source and also sensitize the community members on domestic water management. This was done successfully as the community members listened keenly with valid contributions and commitment to adapt to suggestions made by the team to keeping their major source of water (River Benue) clean by adapting cleaning drainages, disposing wastes properly. The exercise had in attendance of 75persons 42females, 33males

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MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT DAY 2019

Menstrual Hygiene Management Day is a day set aside to break the taboos surrounding menstruation, raise awareness of the importance of good menstrual hygiene management worldwide. This year was not an exception, GERI who represented NEWSAN at the MHM ToT partnered with another NEWSAN member Women Environmental Programme (WEP) Benue (who was also at the MHM ToT)to carry out sensitization campaign in two schools within Makurdi metropolis viz: Salam Progressive Academy Wadata and NKST Junior Secondary School Wadata. A total of 177 students (142 female, 35 male) were engaged. The beneficiaries were sensitized to break the silence on menstruation without any shyness and they were also exposed to alternative menstrual collection materials with environmental friendly ways of disposing menstrual waste.

GLOBAL HAND WASHING CELEBRATION

Global Handwashing Day is celebrated on 15th October of every year is an international handwashing promotion campaign to motivate and mobilise people around the globe to improve their handwashing habits at critical times. The theme for the 2019 Global Handwashing is; “Clean Hands for All”.

The National Coordinator, issues a Press Release from the NEWSAN National Secretariat, calling on Millions of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations, Friends and Colleagues across the Globe to remind all their citizens of the importance of Washing our Hands with Soap at Critical Times- before eating, cooking, feeding children and others, after using the toilet, before carrying babies, after visiting hospitals and after touch or playing with animals/pets. The link:https://nnn.com.ng/csos-call-on-govts-to-ensure-water-sanitation-facilities-exist-in-strategic-locations

NEWSAN state chapters were not left out of the 2019 Global Hand Washing Commemoration with the theme: “Clean Hands for All”

Benue State Chapter of NEWSAN carried out Handwashing campaign to the Pupils of Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School Wurukum Makurdi Benue State. The campaign involved sensitisation and awareness creation messages with practical demonstration of handwashing by the children. The school also received a donation of handwashing stations

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GERI a NEWSAN NGO in Benue State who facilitated on the reduction of risk from the environment and associated problems of dirty hands organised a social media campaign with messages depicting importance of proper handwashing.This campaign reached a total of 5338 people and generated 92 likes, 5 comments and 31 shares. GERI also took the message to four(4) schools in Makurdi viz: St Mary’s Primary School Northbank, Police Children School North Bank, NKST Primamry School High Level, Makurdi and Erdoo Memorial School High Level, Makurdi. A total of 671 Pupils were reached during sensitization across the schools 375 Females, 296 males with the message of lifestyle. Washing hand bowls were also shared across the four schools, 2per school with rows of soap.GERI also collaborated with Grace to Amazing Favour Foundation (GRAFF) to sensitize pupils of Ecwa GoodNews Academy, Makurdi and as a member of

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the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) Benue State Chapter at LGEA Primary School Wurukum Makurdi on the importance of proper handwashing with Water and soap/ash at critical times as an easy and effective means of preventing diseases.

Akwa Ibom chapter of NEWSAN celebrated GHWD at Ikono LGA in collaboration with the WASH unit of the LGA. They sensitized teachers and pupils of the importance of handwashing with soap at the Holy Child, The Campaign had in attendance the; Executive Chairman of the LGA & LGA Head of Civil Service. They demonstrated handwashing using constructed tippy taps

Handwashing demonstration by the Local Government Executive Chairman and pupils

Osun Chapter marked the 2019 GHD with the pupils of Baptist Primary School Ara in Osun State. It was a case of “catch them young” and using them as agents of change.

Osun State Chapter demonstrate Hand washing

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Zamfara State chapter celebrated with the children and other stakeholders.

Zamfara State Chapter celebrated the Global Handwashing day

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WORLD TOILET DAY

Taraba Chapter celebrated the day 19th November 2019 in Jalingo by carrying out a sensitisation campaign on ending open defecation at the Catholic Pastoral Center. The sensitization targeted the leadership, women and the youths. The all pledge to carry forth the campaign on ending OD. https://thenewsguide.com.ng/?p=8905

Taraba Youths demonstrating OD in a dance.

GERI a NEWSAN CSO from Benue State embarked on a social media campaign aimed at portraying the dangers of open defecation thereby encouraging all to own and manage toilets in their homes, schools, work places e.t.c. GERI knowing the importance of children as change agents also extended the sensitization to two schools in Ikpayongo community of Gwer East LGA; LGEA Primary School Ikpayongo with a total number of 1200 Pupils (1050 Females, 1150 males) and RCM Primary School Ikpayongo with a total number of 460 pupils(190 Females 270 males). The message of maintaining proper sanitation at all times was made key during the sensitization

exercise as the benefits of open defecation free society were

highlighted alongside dangers of open defecation.

They were tasked to be agents of change by promoting hygiene where ever they go.

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STATE ACTIVITIES FOR 2019

1). NEWSAN Yobe State chapter in partnership with Action Against Hunger embarked on a 5 days advocacy to 4 LGAs to solicit for budget allocation for implementation of Hygiene Promotion activities. The advocacy took place from 28 of August 2019 @ Damturu

Further engagement with Yunusar LGA Head of works and state WASH Coordinator along with the Action Against Hunger Yobe state on budget sub head for 2020 on the 29th August 2019

2). NEWSAN was represented on the 29th August 2019 on a workshop held in Owerri with the Imo state government on draft bill for law for establishment of Imo State water and sewage corporation, small town water and sanitation agency, Rural water supply and sanitation agency and Imo state water and sanitation regulatory commission.

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3). NEWSAN Gombe State engaged with stakeholders on climate change amelioration by Gombe state project Gombe Goes Green which aimed at planting one million trees round the state. - 29 th

August 2019

Gombe State engagement

4). NEWSAN Osun State Chapter in collaboration with the wife of the state governor and RUWESA began a campaign to end ODF in the state. All the stakeholders which were drawn from the state/LGAs, traditional and religious leaders were at the meeting held in the state @ Timsed Civic Centre Ijebu-Ijesa on the 4th September 2019

Osun First Lady engage with stakeholders

5). NEWSAN Yobe State engage the Director LGA Affairs on Budget of the Ministry of LGA in the office of the Director Damaturu on the 10th September 2019

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NEWSAN Yobe state monthly meeting with WASH sub sector at OCHA Office Damaturu -10 th

September 2019

6). Jigawa State Chapter held a progressive meeting with the state on developing ODF Road map for the state. Date 15th November 2019

ODF Road map development in Jigawa.

7). Imo State Chapter held a 21st November 2019 WASH –Customer forum which is a quarterly meeting held to create synergy in the WASH sector in the state

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Imo State Chapter WASH- Customer Forum

8). Taraba State chapter on the 27th November 2019 engaged the state Assembly with the aim of facilitating the passage of the bill that will establish Taraba State Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation (TAWASCO)in the state. The bill has scaled public hearing with adequate input from NEWSAN who represented the CSOs. https://newnigeriannewspaper.com/2019/12/16/taraba-csos-to-synergize-with-tawasco-for-improved-services/

Taraba team with the Chairman House Committee on Water

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Taraba State Chapter on the 10th December 2019, organised a WASH customer forum with the aim of sensitising the public on marketing WASH for private sector participation. The meeting composed of representatives from the private sector, MDAs, and other partners.

Taraba State coordinator engaging participants @ the forum

9). Kogi state Chapter on the between the 2nd -6th December engaged stakeholders onacampaign to end open defecation as the current status was embarrassing to the state. They paid courtesy visits to the General Manager RUWASSA, State Ministry of Water Reources; where they were received by the Permanent Secretary, they also visit the Waste management Board and the NationalOrientation Agency where they sought for partnership towards ending OD in the state.

Kogi team with RUWASSA General Manager

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Kogi team with the Perm Sec. Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources.

Kogi team with the Kogi State Waste Management Board Official

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Kogi team with the General Manager –National Orientation Agency Kogi State

10). Benue State Chapter on the 7th December 2019 paid a courtesy visit to the General Manager –Benue State Enviornment Sanitation Authority (BENSESA). This meeting was chiefly to seek patnership with the state for the purpose of better service delivery. The General Manager promised an inclusive coordination and directed that NEWSAN be included in the monthly sanitation task force activities.

Benue State Chapter with the GM-BENSESA

11). NEWSAN Ebonyi State chapter on the 12th December 2019 in collaboration with the State RUWASSA/Ministry of Water Resources with funding support from USAID organised the WASH

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policy review workshop. The meeting was moderated by the NEWSAN National Secretariat who ensured that the Ebonyi state draft policy review was produced.

Our NEC member facilitating at the meeting

Cross section of the meeting

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3. ACTIVITY OUTCOMES

Advocacy to the WASH stakeholders’ especially to the NGF Chairman and Chairman House committee resulted into more commitment to WASH at state levels as more states declared state of emergencies

Major outcome of these activities were in fulfillment of the network vision in addressing the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene needs of all. By involving stakeholders at state and community levels the awareness and sensitisation was created

The capacity of the network was built by trainings that were conducted. This will position them better in advocating better for the rights of the women, children and people living disabilities to better WASH conditions

The activities also served as a platform for engaging government in WASH and have formed a basis for further engagement.

Engaging school in WASH means involving children in WASH activities which were a good point of using children as change agents.

Advocacies carried out served as a point of creating awareness and sensitivity to decision makers at state level to ensure WASH receives attention and consideration for budgeting.

4. CHALLENGES

Inadequate Funding; the network received no donor funding except the dues which were low. Some stakeholders ignored the national office and preferred to deal directly with our members

at state levels; this is a challenge because it is a case of ‘divide and rule’ and it has the tendency to weaken the network.

Most chapters have had serious engagement but have failed to report to the National Secretariat

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

State chapters be encouraged and motivated to do more in engaging the stakeholders at their levels

Increase drive for CBOs inclusion in the network since they are closer to the communities Stakeholders to muster support and motivate the national office; if the national office is strong

then it will translate to the chapters

6. CONCLUSION & NEXT STEP

The step taken by the current Government had yielded positive results with steady increase of ODF declared local governments at the states like Jigawa, Benue, Cross River, Osun amongst others. However the challenges are still huge considering the remaining numbers of LGAs required to be cleaned up before the deadline of 2025.

NEWSAN National on her path has in the year under review engaged stakeholders at the National Assemblies, NFG and other key partners to ensure adequate support for the WASH sector is mustered. The state chapters have equally been encourage to do same which some have actually complied. NEWSAN also developed strategies for mop up that were quite useful to states where it was applied.

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This is to say that NEWSAN is ready to ensure the government receives every support within her statutory space.

In the forthcoming year, NEWSAN will seek to consolidate on the gains made during the year under review, increase her advocacies and build on what need to be built on to ensure more results. NEWSAN will also be looking at reviewing her strategic plan in line with the current WASH sector demands.

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