WAELE AFRICA – THE JOURNEY SO FAR: 2004 – 2019

INTRODUCTION: 

WAELE AFRICA was founded on 8^th May 2004 and registered with Nigeria Corporate Affairs Commission on 7^th September 2004. The organization is structured to meet the yearnings of African women across the continent who beliefs women should participate more fully in the economic decision making, peace & conflict resolution, management/mediation and governance of our great continent. WAELE AFRICA is currently in 52 African Countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me inform you that WAELE AFRICA was a child of necessity. Permit me to particularly make reference to the followings with whom WAELE AFRICA was conceived.

Hon Dr Stella Dorgu

Hajiya Aisha Aliyu

Hon Chief Mrs Keziah Agundu

Princess Lizzy Okose

Chief Mrs Mary-Anne Adaba

Olori Abiola Agbalajobi

Chief Mrs Rachiel Somiari

Barrister Ebere Ifendu

AMONG WAELE/ARCELFA ORGANIZED CONFERENCES AND SUMMITS ARE:-

• WAELE AFRICA 3 Days Launching Workshop in West Africa: 15^th –17^th of March 2005, Bamako, Mali. 14 countries participated.

• WAELE AFRICA Continental Conference On The African Woman in A Contemporary World:- Issues On Political & Economic Development. 28 African countries participated. July 2005, Abuja.

• WAELE AFRICA Nigerian Women in Governance Summit. October 27^th Abuja.

• WAELE AFRICA in collaboration with Sudanese Women General Union (SWGU) Held a peace summit on Darfur region of Sudan. 15 African countries participated. October 2008. Khartoum.

• WAELE AFRICA African Women Emancipation International Conference. 35 African countries and other participants from the USA, UK and Australia participated. July, 2010. Abuja.

• WAELE AFRICA International Conference on the Struggles of Saharawi Women for Freedom. 42 countries participated, including delegates from US, UK, Spain, France, Argentina, Lebanon, Holland and Portugal. September 2011. Abuja.

• WAELE AFRICA in collaboration with National Organization of Saharawi Women Organized: “The Forgotten Plight of Saharawi Women” 10 African countries participated April 2016, at Saharawi Refugee Camp, Tindouf, Algiers.

• WAELE AFRICA 2016 Summit on African Women Economic Empowerment & Political participation 27^th – 28^th November 2016, Abuja, Nigeria.

• WAELE AFRICA 2017 Tanzania International Peace Summit 3^rd – 4^th November, 2017, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 28 Countries Participated. As a follow up to WAELE AFRICA 2017 Tanzania International Peace Summit Resolution, African Women Peace Mission Team was set up to mediate in Kenya, South Sudan, Burundi & Rwanda, DRC & Libya conflicts. African Women Peace Mission Team will be led by Amb. Dr. Gertrude Mongella, Secretary General Beijing Conference & Former President Pan African Parliament, Other Members of the Team are:-

WAELE/ARCELFA ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENTS PROGRAM: MARCH 2004 – 2017:- 

AKWA IBOM STATE EMPOWERMENT: 24^TH OF AUGUST, 2004.

• 2no Complete Sets of Cassava Processing Machine were given to the women of Eket LGA. They could only produce 10bags of Cassava weekly manually. But with WAELE AFRICA equipment, their production increased to 20bags of Cassava daily.

• 1no complete sets of palm oil processing machine each was given to the women of Ini LGA and Mkpat Enin LGA. The women in both LGAs could only produce 20 liters of Palm oil daily. Their production increased to 400 liters with WAELE AFRICA equipment’s.

• 15no complete sets of sewing machine, including 6no over-locking machine & 3no embroidery machine were also given to enhance production for our members who were into tailoring

BORNO, STATE EMPOWERMENT: 12TH OF OCTOBER, 2004.

• 16no sets of 8HP milling machines were given to the women of Biu LGA and Guzamala LGA, to enable them contribute to the economic development of their Local Governments.

• 16no sets of knitting machines were given to the women of Nganzai and Konduga Local Governments.

• 10no complete sets of sewing machine which includes 4no over-locking machine and 2no embroidery machine were given to the women of MMC and Gwoza Local Governments. This was also to enhance production of our members who were into tailoring. Some of them have since started sewing institute to train other women.

ONDO STATE EMPOWERMENT:  12TH OF OCTOBER, 2005.

WAELE AFRICA presented 60 sets of 8HP milling machines to Ondo State women.

ABIA STATE EMPOWERMENT:  2007

WAELE AFRICA empowered 20 Abia State women by assisting them financially.

OYO STATE WIDOWS EMPOWERMENT:  JUNE, 2013

WAELE AFRICA presented financial assistance for the empowerment of 40 widows in Oyo State.

WAELE AFRICA 2016 AFRICAN WOMEN WIDOWS EMPOWERMENT

WAELE/ARCELFA ADVOCACY & PEACE MISSION IN AFRICA

• WAELE AFRICA visited His Excellency Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania in Dar-Es-Salaam on the 11^th September 2006 to commend him on the appointment of 16 female Ministers and other women in top decision making positions. We also discussed the problems affecting African women and the way forward. The meeting was successful.

• WAELE AFRICA in collaboration with the Sudanese General Women Union (SGWU) held a peace meeting in Khartoum on Darfur issues from the 20^th – 21^st of October 2008. WAELE AFRICA visited President Omar Al-Basher to discuss the Darfur issue as well as issues concerning Sudan and the Republic of Chad. President Omar Al-Basher promised to continue working towards peace between Sudan and Chad as well as in Darfur Region. As a result of WAELE AFRICA meeting with President Omar Al-Basher, Sudanese border with Chad and Sudanese Embassy in Ndjamena had since been re-opened. Credit was given to WAELE AFRICA peace mission to Khartoum when the border was re – opened by the Sudanese Government.

• WAELE AFRICA visited the IDP camp in Al – Fashir, Northern Darfur in May 2009. In collaboration with Sudanese General Women Union (SGWU) organized Peace Summit. More than 3000 women participated in the Peace Summit.

• WAELE AFRICA visited South Sudan in October 2010. We met with the First Lady H.E. Mrs Kiir and discussed the need for peace in both North & South Sudan after the referendum.

• WAELE AFRICA visited South Sudan in Feb 2014 on a peace mission and delivered relief materials to the (IDP)

• WAELE AFRICA visited the women of Tindouf, Algeria in Dec 2010. The meeting was an eye opening on the plight of Saharawi women who have been leaving in refugee camp for over 40 years because Morocco continued occupying Western Sahara despite 1975 ICJ Judgment.

• WAELE AFRICA visited Saharawi refugee camp from 4^th– 8^th Dec 2010. WAELE AFRICA visited President of Saharawi, H.E. Late Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz, it was agreed that WAELE AFRICA will organize an International Conference in Nigeria on the plight of Saharawi women. WAELE AFRICA organized the Conference in Abuja, September 2013.

• WAELE AFRICA participated in South Sudan Referendum of 9^th January 2011.

• WAELE AFRICA was in Juba, South Sudan from 3^rd – 6^th of Feb 2014 on a PEACE mission

WAELE/ARCELFA HUMANITARIAN SERVICES

• WAELE AFRICA presented relief materials to the women of Plateau State of Nigeria during the Ethnic religious crises between the Christians and Muslims of the State with the under listed items on the 9^th of July 2004.

• WAELE AFRICA presented relief materials to the Chadian refugees during the rebel disturbances on the 13^th of February 2008.

• WAELE AFRICA presented relief materials (600 bags of wheat’s & 100 cartoons of milk) to the (IDP) in Juba, South Sudan on the 5^th of Feb 2014.

WOMEN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH & RIGHTS

• WAELE AFRICA In 2009, 2010 & 2011 collaborated with IPAS Nigeria to organize capacity building and advocacy training of women in all the 6 regions of Nigeria. We have also organized grassroots sensitization rally in Offa in Kwara State, Irele in Ondo State and Bida in Niger State and Port Harcourt in River State. More than 4000 women participated.

CONFERENCES ATTENDED BY WAELE AFRICA

• WAELE AFRICA Participated in African Spanish Women for better World 2008 Niamey Conference and in June 2009 the Launching and first meeting of the working group on economic development in Nairobi Kenya.

• WAELE AFRICA Participated in June 2009 in DIAGNOSTIC TO ACTION:- Micro finance in Africa multi stake holders conference at the United Nations office Nairobi Kenya. The conference was organized by Women’s World Banking and Africa Micro Finance Action Forum.

• WAELE AFRICA Participated in International council of women in South Africa in October 2009,

• WAELE AFRICA also Participated in the United Nations ECA Eight African Regional Conference on Women (Beijing +15) 16^th – 20^th November 2009, in Banjul the Gambia

• WAELE AFRICA was part of Launching of African Union, African Women’s Decade in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2010.

• WAELE AFRICA was part of Saharawi women international conference in Algier, Tindouf refugee camp. April 2013.

• WAELE AFRICA participated in “A WORLD OF WOMEN FOR WORLD PEACE” at Capitol Visitor Centre Auditorium in Washington DC, USA. Congresswomen Eddie Bernice Johnson, Nancy Palosi and many other MPs were in attendance. WAELE AFRICA Founder, delivered paper on her Peace Mission in Africa. October 28^th, 2013.

ELECTION MONITORING

• WAELE AFRICA was part of election monitoring in 2010, Sudan, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Guinea Conakry.

• WAELE AFRICA was part of election monitoring in Niger & Benin Republic in 2011.

• WAELE AFRICA also participated in Sudan, Ivory Coast, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso & Benin Republic election monitoring. 2015 – 2016

WAELE AFRICA EMPOWERING WOMEN IN ICT

• WAELE AFRICA in collaboration with Imam Khomeini Relief Centre, Iran has opened a center in Abuja to train women in ICT.

As Founder of Women Advancement for Economic & Leadership Empowerment in Africa WAELE AFRICA, I couldn’t have achieved half of what we have done, without the support of my dedicated team in Nigeria and Africa. Without the contributions of my friends and well-meaning individuals who believed in me, I am indebted to you all.

I am grateful to Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, Esama of Benin Kingdom, for providing ticket for our numerous trips abroad as well as for our international coordinators during our conferences and summits, Late Chief Mrs Chinyere Ukpabi, Our First Grand Matron.  Our New Grand Matron, Senator Daisy Ehanare Danjuma, Agura of Warri Kingdom. For providing relief materials for WAELE AFRICA South Sudan, Peace Mission, as well as supporting many of our programs.  Rt Hon Ghali Umar Naabba, Senator Enyi Abaribe, Senator Biodun Olujimi and all others, too numerous to mention here, whose direct and indirect contributions to WAELE AFRICA in its 12 years of existence have been invaluable.

Finally I am particularly appreciative of my children for their understanding and support from inception of WAELE AFRICA by demonstrating their belief in WAELE AFRICA and identifying with the yearnings of the less privileged women across Africa.

WAELE AFRICA 2017 INTERVENTION

NIGERIA: PROVISION OF WATER

AFRICAN WOMEN 2017 100 WIDOWS EMPOWERMENT

WAELE AFRICA 2018 PROGRAM

• • WAELE AFRICA 3 days Executive Meeting & International Training On Peace & Conflict Management & Mediation @ Newton Park Hotel Abuja, On 27^th – 28^th July, 2018.

  • WAELE AFRICA Abia State Coordinator, Mrs Oluchi Nwosu went to Zimbabwe as an election observer for the general elections on 30^th July, 2018. The election was the first post-Mugabe poll to elect the president and members of both Houses of Parliament

  • WAELE AFRICA Cameroon Chapter led by its Coordinator, Mrs Beatrice Arimoh Sama, had a meeting with the Widows’ Association in the West Region on 14th August, 2018. The widows expressed their happiness over WAELE’s activities especially in alleviating the suffering of widows.

• • WAELE AFRICA Founder/President, Otunba Dr. Basirat Nahibi -Niasse paid a courtesy visit on the Ambassador of Mali, Mr Mustapha Traore at the Embassy of Mali in Maitama – Abuja, on 16th August, 2018

• WAELE AFRICA And Namibia Newspaper Strategise On Working Together For Women Events. The Founder/President, Otunba Basirat Nahibi-Niasse and Vice President, Southern Africa, Mrs Mildred Jantjies led the delegation on September 12th, 2018

• WAELE AFRICA Kano Chapter Visits Torry Home for Handicapped Children in Tudun Maliki on 10th September 2018. The Coordinator, Hajiya Amina Musa Abdullahi who led the team, distributed gifts of foodstuffs and other items to the home.

• WAELE AFRICA 8^TH INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON “PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: THE ROLE OF AFRICAN WOMEN’’, took place on 1^ST – 3^RD NOVEMBER 2018 @ SAFARI COURT, WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA.

• WAELE AFRICA Foundation In December 2018, Ghana Chapter led by the Country Coordinator, Mrs Stella Quaye held the official launch and meeting to mobilise women at district and regional levels

  WAELE AFRICA 2019 PROGRAM

• WAELE AFRICA Foundation The Western Saharawi women celebrate International Women’s Day 8^th March 2019

• WAELE AFRICA Foundation Southern Africa Vice President, Hon. Anastacia Ndhlovu held a meeting with the CEO Zimbabwe Women Micro Finance Bank to discuss the Widows Empowerment program in March, 2019

• WAELE AFRICA Foundation Southern Africa Vice President Hon. Anastacia Ndhlovu, represented WAELE AFRICA Foundation at AYGS2019 Conference in South Africa.

• WAELE AFRICA Foundation Ondo State Chapter, led by Mrs Grace Adeniseun in collaboration with Kidney Control Alliance, Ondo State (KCA)on a Kidney Health For Everyone Everywhere road walk on World Kidney Day, 13^thMarch, 2019 in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• WAELE AFRICA Foundation Cameroon branch held preparatory meetings with leaders of the various groups to be empowered in April 2019.

• WAELE AFRICA Foundation Mauritanian chapter exhibited objects made by women on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on 8^th March, 2019.

• WAELE AFRICA Foundation Mauritania Coordinator, Madam Oumkelthoum Khaliva, led other women to claim their rights in front of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mauritaniaon the occasion of the International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2019.

In conclusion, WAELE AFRICA will like to appeal for your support to enable the  FOUNDATION to continue with laudable programs towards African Women Emancipation.

May Almighty God Bless All of You. AMEN