DIWA

DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE OF WEST AFRICA [DIWA] is a nonprofit organization. DIWA’s mission is to increase the quality of life of vulnerable communities through a variety of humanitarian and development projects. DIWA is a Non-Governmental Organization registered under Certificate No: 118259 of 2nd July 2007, with the Corporate Affairs Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. DIWA's establishment was motivated by compassion to work for the reduction of worldwide inequality in the distribution of resources, peace-building and the enhancement of opportunities to disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.

Projects

Scriptural Annotation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

SUPPORTED BY: The Carter Centre - USA
DATE: January - March 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To write a Qur'anic version of a scripturally annotated Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
OUTPUT: A workshop with 12 experts/resource persons coordinated by the Development Initiative of West Africa to write a Qur'anic version of a Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was held.

DIWA Scriptural Annotation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1
DIWA Scriptural Annotation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights 2
DIWA Scriptural Annotation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights 3

Women Religious Leaders Training in Empowerment and Peace-Building

SUPPORTED BY: Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, and Dawah Institute of Nigeria IET.
DATE: December 2018 - March, 2019

OBJECTIVE: To equip women religious leaders with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to strengthen social cohesion and resilience to extremist ideologies in communities served by selected religious leaders.
OUTPUT: A total 26 Muslim women group leaders from 3 different states participated in the course. Areas covered include: Relations with non-Muslims, Interfaith Dialogue, Role of Family in the management of Radicalization, Forced Marriage, Female Circumcision in Islamic Jurisprudence, Domestic Violence & Conflict management, Inheritance law and Gender equality, Triple Divorce and Alimony and Spousal Support, Age for marriage and Public Interest, Interfaith Marriage in Islamic Jurisprudence.

Preventing Violent Extremism through Alternative Narrative (PVE-TAN) project

SUPPORTED BY: The European Union (EU)
DATE: October 2018 – July 2019

OBJECTIVE: Strengthening the capacities of religious leaders and community influencers to produce alternative narratives aiming to counter the extremist and violent ideologies.
OUTPUT:
Peer Review Workshop
• Key PVE-TAN resources and methodologies reviewed by 40 experts
Training of Trainers (ToT)
• A total of 10 Imams, Scholars and Preachers trained
• A total of 10 Muslim Youth leaders and Community Influencers (YLCI) trained

Step-Down Training (SDT)
• A total of 119 local participants including men, women, youth, and community influencers benefited from the SDT

Supporting Leaders Nigeria (SLN) project

SUPPORTED BY: Tony Blair Institute for Global Change- London
DATE: October 2018 - July 2019

OBJECTIVE: To equip religious leaders with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to strengthen social cohesion and resilience to extremist ideologies in communities served by selected religious leaders.

OUTPUT: In 2018, a total of 39-Imams attended 2 out of 5-module courses. This equipped them with access to numerous classical and contemporary works related to their roles as Imams, counsellors, local scholars, and community leaders in peace-building and social progress in a multi-religious context.

Joint Community Action Plan (JCAP) for intra-faith and interfaith cohesion

SUPPORTED BY: Tony Blair Institute for Global Change - London
DATE: February 2018 - July 2019

OBJECTIVE: To help better deliver the outcomes of the SLN program through facilitated dialogue between religious leaders and local communities.

OUTPUT: The JCAP was conducted in 3 states of Nigeria including Yobe, Kano and Gombe. The JCAP approach helped to better enable the “Supporting Leader Nigeria (SLN)” to achieve its goal of strengthened social cohesion in participants’ states.

Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism Through Alternative Narrative (BRAVE-TAN)

SUPPORTED BY: the European Union (EU)
DATE: October 2020 – Present

OVERALL OBJECTIVE: Contribution to increased community resilience to violent extremism and interfaith conflicts.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE: Improved undertaking of initiatives by Religious Gatekeepers and Community Influencers to produce alternative and counter narratives to extremism and build sustainable intra/interfaith harmony within communities.

OUTPUT: The project targets 390 male and female Muslim Religious Gatekeepers, Youth Leaders and Community influencers are expected to undergo a 6-module intensive training course in intra/interfaith relations.

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Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls

SUPPORTED BY: UNDP through UNDP Abuja
DATE: 2020- present

OBJECTIVE: Addressing the implication of gender-based violence on development requires significant learning and knowledge sharing through community ownership and programs continuity. DIWA is committed to developing local capacities in the target communities in the area of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. This will enhance the generation, preservation and utilization of relevant information needed not only to create sustainable change regarding VAWG and harmful social norms within the communities of intervention but may also serve as policy feed for policymakers within the sector.

Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls1
Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls2
Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls3

Faith-Based Action for Social Tolerance (FAST)

SUPPORTED BY: KAICIID
DATE: January 2021

OBJECTIVE: Increased Community and Civil Society actions for Peaceful Coexistence and Countering of Hate Speech

OUTPUT: 20 male and female youth were trained in peace-building and countering hate speech. Radio broadcasts on the essences and essentials of peaceful coexistence were made for a period of 5 months in Niger state. Radio programs on negation of domestic violence and entrenching peace in homes were broadcasted in Niger state for a period of 5 months.

Joint Initiative of Strategic Religious Action (JISRA)

SUPPORTED BY: The Government of Netherlands, Mensen met een Missie
DATE: May 2021 – 2025 (ongoing)

OBJECTIVE: Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) is an interfaith consortium – including Catholic, Islamic, Protestant, interreligious and secular organisations – will promote Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, and Uganda. We will partner with religious actors1 as agents of change within the broader civic space. While acknowledging religious actors’ important role in promoting FoRB, the consortium also understands that they can limit FoRB’s free exercise.

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JISRA4

Training of Youth Leaders and Community Influencers in ICT & Personal Development and Leadership (PDL) for peace-building

SUPPORTED BY: Public Affairs Section, Embassy of the United States of America, Abuja Embassy.
DATE: 2017 & 2018

OBJECTIVE: To empower youth and community influencers in ICT, Personal development and leadership skills to inspire and mobilize them for CVE and peace-building responsibilities

OUTPUT: A total of 45 participants, comprising 30 men and 15 women attended the training. The participants represent the leadership of a total of 15 youth organization from Borno, Adamawa, Niger, and Yobe states

Girls Identified for Training, Education and Development (GIFTED)

SUPPORTED BY: A anonymous donor
DATE: 2009 - 2020

OBJECTIVE: To provide scholarship support to under privileged Muslim girls from Northern Nigeria, and encourage their training, education, and overall development to complete secondary school and earn a degree.

OUTPUT: A total of 10 young ladies from underprivileged backgrounds, who were recruited on the GIFTED scholarship programme (from secondary school) have completed their first-degree programs in different fields of studies in Nigerian Universities

Annual Ramadan Food Aid

SUPPORTED BY: Muslim Aid UK, Muslim Aid Australia, Ihsan Foundation USA, AusRelief, IHH Turkey etc.
DATE: Annually

OBJECTIVE: To provide poor families and vulnerable communities with food aid to reduce the challenges of food sourcing during the month of Ramadan.

OUTPUT: Over 15,000 families in Nigeria, Niger Republic, Cameroun, and Liberia have been reached, including People Living with Disabilities, orphans, widows, refugees, IDPs, and People Living with HIV/AIDS.

Post-graduate Scholarship Assistance

SUPPORTED BY: An anonymous donor
DATE: 2016 – present

OBJECTIVE: To provide postgraduate Scholarship Assistance to poor students in order to fill their "Unmet" financial needs.

OUTPUT: Since 2016, DIWA has disbursed over N15,000,000 towards the support of over 500 postgraduate Diploma, MSc, and PhD students from various tertiary institutions across Nig.

Orphan Care Programme

SUPPORTED BY: Ihsan Foundation for West Africa USA
DATE: 2009 - Present

OBJECIVE: The program seeks to sustain the physical health and education wellbeing of vulnerable orphans at the Government Orphanage in Minna, and the Oru Camp in Ogun State.

OUTPUT: Over 80 orphans have supported since inception of the programme, specifically in the areas of education, health and nutrition.

Anti-Corruption through Faith-Based Institution Network Project

SUPPORTED BY: McArthur Foundation
DATE: 2018 - present

OBJECTIVE: To empower and motivate religious leaders and Networks and Institution to use their research in challenging corrupt practices

OUTPUT:
• Sixty Christian Leaders Trained
• Step down training conducted in MOKWA and Minna by the trainee MSSN members
• A total of 300 students from secondary School in North Central were trained in various method of combatting corruption
• Held a one-day Public Forum that brought together Muslim and Christian leaders

Aisha Lemu Learning Initiative 

DATE: 2015 - present

OBJECTIVE: Designed to provide a cost-free education for Almajiris and children from destitute homes. It is believed that these two categories of children constitute most of the out-of-school children in Nigeria.

OUTPUT: ALLI is a week-end literacy and numeracy program for Almajiris and children from destitute homes. There are 49 children aged 6 to 16 years currently enrolled in the program.

Community Water Project

SUPPORTED BY: Variety of donor organizations and individuals
DATE: 2017 - present

OBJECTIVE: Provide free source of access to safe drinking water

OUTPUT: 80 wells, 10 boreholes, 75 water tanks has been constructed in urban slums and rural villages in several states in Nigeria and Liberia, providing free source of access to clean water for over 500,000 people in Nigeria and Liberia.

Anti-Ebola Campaign Project

SUPPORTER: Ihsan Foundation for West Africa USA
DATE: September – November 2014

OBJECTIVE: To provide culturally-sensitive information crucial to raising the awareness and motivation of Muslim communities in 3 countries of Liberia to adopt safe practices with respect to the Ebola Virus Disease.

OUTPUT: A total of sixty-five local Islamic scholars from 3 counties were trained and enlightened on preventive measures, on culturally-sensitive public education and hygiene promotion through a faith-based approach thereby providing a culturally-relevant response to the Ebola pandemic.

FARE For Peace Project

SUPPORTED BY: Public Affairs Session, Embassy of the United States of America, Abuja
DATE: August 2014 – November 2015

OBJECTIVE: Designed to reduce religious extremism and interfaith tension through public radio broadcasting, television programs and key opinion leaders’ fora. It aimed to address the misconceptions and misinterpretations of religious texts on critical issues. These misrepresentations are the main bases of extremist religious ideologies that often lead to religious violence and crime.

OUTPUT: A total of 17 radio programs each addressing a key extremist area of focus, e.g., women’s rights or inter-faith dialogue. Ten messages addressed extremist Muslim messaging, and seven addressed radical Christian rhetoric. 10 episodes of religious scholars presenting moderate messages on key topics of concern to both Muslims and Christians. These episodes were broadcasted by Kano based Arewa 24 Hausa Language television. Key opinion leaders seminal for civil society NGO leaders for discussions were organized that brought together over 120 participants. The seminar collected feedback from informed segments of the public to help shape public dialogue.

Inter-faith Dialogue and Engagement for Teachers of Islamic and Christian Religious Studies

SUPPORTED BY: The German Foreign Affairs, Abuja
DATE: October - December 2017

OBJECTIVE: building interreligious bridges and reducing religious tension in Nigeria.

OUTPUT: A total of 45 participants, comprising 35 males and 10 females attended the training.
The training has enabled participants to include more of peace programs in their activities back in their respective communities through social media and group discussions. Trainees have formed a network of peace ambassadors in the 4 states and are connected by way of a WhatsApp group known as DIWA 2017 INTERFAITH. The trainees also created a Facebook page known as INTERFAITH AMBASSADORS in furtherance of bridge-building and publicity objectives of the project.

IHSAN-DIWA Family Support Scheme (IDFSS) Project

SUPPORTER: Ihsan Foundation for West Africa USA
DATE: October 2020 – April 2021

OBJECTIVE:
• Increased Income level of Vulnerable Women through financing of Small-Scale Businesses.
• Strengthened Livelihood of Vulnerable Women through guidance and opportunity to upscale to medium level businesses

OUTPUT: The project supported 25 widows and other needy persons by strengthening their livelihood through Business training and small grants program. This was done through a 2-pronged strategy: (i.) Business Orientation and Training and (ii.) Livelihood grants. Beneficiaries were mentored to create a viable enterprise plan. Thereafter, all 25 women were provided with grant to establish their own venture.

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Resources

News/Articles

Members

DAODA KANNEH

CEO

Dr. Akilu is the Executive Director of Neem Foundation. She is a trained psychology wit over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health and psychology. She has taught and authored research papers relating to homelessness, ethnicity and its relationship with mental health. Dr. Akilu holds a Masters Degree and PhD in Psychology from the University of Reading (UK), and has worked as an Adjunct Professor of General Psychology at Broome Community College (USA) for over 12 years.

Abdulazeez A. Hussain

Project Officer

Mrs. Hurera Atta is the Assistant Executive Director and Head of Education at Neem Foundation. A devoted advocate of human rights, civil liberties, and education – especially for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds – Mrs. Atta has built a legal and corporate career spanning over 25 years. As a lawyer, she handled high-profile and controversial human rights cases, representing young at-risk women. In her capacity as General Manager at Allan Woods Limited, she oversaw and spearheaded the development of the educational institution to bridge the gap in the area of professional development for Nigerian professionals.

Ruqayyah Salihu Ibrahim

Monitoring and Evaluations Officer

Mrs. Hurera Atta is the Assistant Executive Director and Head of Education at Neem Foundation. A devoted advocate of human rights, civil liberties, and education – especially for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds – Mrs. Atta has built a legal and corporate career spanning over 25 years. As a lawyer, she handled high-profile and controversial human rights cases, representing young at-risk women. In her capacity as General Manager at Allan Woods Limited, she oversaw and spearheaded the development of the educational institution to bridge the gap in the area of professional development for Nigerian professionals.

Musa Elthani

Programme Manager

Dr. Akilu is the Executive Director of Neem Foundation. She is a trained psychology wit over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health and psychology. She has taught and authored research papers relating to homelessness, ethnicity and its relationship with mental health. Dr. Akilu holds a Masters Degree and PhD in Psychology from the University of Reading (UK), and has worked as an Adjunct Professor of General Psychology at Broome Community College (USA) for over 12 years.

Alhaji Saidu Takuma

Alhaji Saidu Takuma

Regional Program Manager - Far North

Dr. Akilu is the Executive Director of Neem Foundation. She is a trained psychology wit over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health and psychology. She has taught and authored research papers relating to homelessness, ethnicity and its relationship with mental health. Dr. Akilu holds a Masters Degree and PhD in Psychology from the University of Reading (UK), and has worked as an Adjunct Professor of General Psychology at Broome Community College (USA) for over 12 years.

Mr. Abdurrahim Sulaiman

Mr. Abdurrahim Sulaiman

Executive Director

Mrs. Hurera Atta is the Assistant Executive Director and Head of Education at Neem Foundation. A devoted advocate of human rights, civil liberties, and education – especially for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds – Mrs. Atta has built a legal and corporate career spanning over 25 years. As a lawyer, she handled high-profile and controversial human rights cases, representing young at-risk women. In her capacity as General Manager at Allan Woods Limited, she oversaw and spearheaded the development of the educational institution to bridge the gap in the area of professional development for Nigerian professionals.

Mr. Bashir Yusuf Mundi

Mr. Bashir Yusuf Mundi

Project Officer – Far North

Dr. Abiye M. Iruayenema is an expert sociocognitive research psychologist and strategic communications specialist. He is currently heads a mobile counselling and preventing violent extremism (PVE) initiative, which offers counselling in hard-to-reach traumatized communities in Maiduguri, Borno State. As an experienced academic and researcher, Dr. Iruayenama created vulnerability and needs assessments tools used for a UNICEF funded rehabilitation and reintegration programme for 1,500 Children Associated with Armed Groups. He has delivered several trainings revolving around self-care for humanitarian aid workers, social and emotional learning, as well as addressing psychological trauma in conflict zones.

Mr. Nuruddeen Lemu

Mr. Nuruddeen Lemu

Regional Program Manager - Far North

Dr. Akilu is the Executive Director of Neem Foundation. She is a trained psychology wit over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health and psychology. She has taught and authored research papers relating to homelessness, ethnicity and its relationship with mental health. Dr. Akilu holds a Masters Degree and PhD in Psychology from the University of Reading (UK), and has worked as an Adjunct Professor of General Psychology at Broome Community College (USA) for over 12 years.

Ms. Nimali Asiya Rodrigo

Ms. Nimali Asiya Rodrigo

Executive Director

Mrs. Hurera Atta is the Assistant Executive Director and Head of Education at Neem Foundation. A devoted advocate of human rights, civil liberties, and education – especially for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds – Mrs. Atta has built a legal and corporate career spanning over 25 years. As a lawyer, she handled high-profile and controversial human rights cases, representing young at-risk women. In her capacity as General Manager at Allan Woods Limited, she oversaw and spearheaded the development of the educational institution to bridge the gap in the area of professional development for Nigerian professionals.

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