JOY CHIOMA IS TACKLING MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY IN NIGERIA WITH HER SOCIAL ENTERPRISE NATAL CARES

 

In Nigeria, hundreds of women and children under the age of 5 die daily, making the country one of the most significant contributors to maternal and child mortality globally, says UNICEF.

So many factors caused this: lack of access to healthcare facilities, poor health practices, use of unclean materials, among others. These can be as a result of poverty, effects of terrorism, etc.

Joy Chioma is the Co-Founder of Natal Cares, a social enterprise with a mission to reduce maternal and infant mortality from complications of pregnancy or delivery. The organisation specifically focus on pregnant women and nursing mothers in IDP Camps (internally Displaced Persons) and Rural disconnected communities in Nigeria.
Joy is a graduate of the Federal University of Technology Akure and also a YALI alumnus. Having carried out her National Youth Service (NYSC) in a rural community in Adamawa State, Nigeria, she had first-hand experience of what pregnant women and nursing mothers face during and after pregnancy. Since then, she has developed an undying passion for using the power of mobile technology and low-cost innovations in bridging the healthcare gap between under-served rural communities and the Urban Communities of Nigeria.

Natal Cares achieves its mission by providing pregnant women and nursing mothers with regular medically approved health information. This achieved through SMS and, alternatively, voice call services on pregnancy, motherhood, safe delivery and healthy baby lifestyle to improve maternal and infant health.

The messages include pregnancy follow up, clinic reminders, child growth and nutrition, breastfeeding, immunisation reminders, parenting tips, common symptoms, child health care tips, nutrition guides, family planning tips and more.

The platform also has a Natal Care Kit which contains essential supplies required at childbirth to ensure a clean, safe and hygienic delivery to help mothers and newborns avoid acquiring infections during childbirth, especially in underserved rural communities.

Natal Cares also carries out health care capacity buildings and sensitisation programs in IDP Camps and disconnected rural communities. It also trains traditional birth attendants and local midwives on the latest delivery methods and technique and advocates for better healthcare at primary health centres.

ICOMOS GA 2019 AT MARRAKECH: IN THE TRAIL OF IBN BATTUTA

‘Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller’.

--Ibn Battuta

I have always known Morocco as the Country on the Southern Continental fissile of the Southern Mediterranean; the Western most of the Maghreb, host of one of the proverbial pillars of Hercules in Jebel Musa or Mount Hacho and most of all, the Country of famous globe trotter – Ibn Battuta.

As a lover of Architectural & Urban Heritage and Monument Conservation, I sought to join organizations with similar purview to my passion. One of such I found in recent times was ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) which I joined in March 2019 as an Emerging Professional. I hoped to rise through the membership cadre of the organization as I progressed in my career.  Interestingly, in June 2019, I was nominated by the Emerging Professional Coordinator for the Africa Region, Olufemi Adetunji to represent him at the ICOMOS annual general assembly holden at Marrakech, Morocco between 14^th and 18^th October 2019.

As one who loves international travels, I looked forward to attending, though travel plans were called off at some point due to paucity of funds. I was however elated to receive the news of flight ticket sponsorship from the Moroccan ministry of African Affairs on 30^th September 2019. Already resigned from the long planned trip, I immediately reawakened my odyssey enthusiasm and hopped to the Moroccan Embassy in Abuja to process my Visa. Thankfully, that process was expedited and smooth after which I embarked on the trip to Marrakech.

My trip to Marrakech was my longest ever flight experience. As there were no direct flights from Abuja to Casablanca or Marrakesh, I was booked to fly from Abuja via Dubai to Casablanca then Marrakech. The flight from Abuja to Dubai was 7 hours 15 minutes while the duration of the flight from Dubai to Marrakech was 8 hours 20 minutes. Adding two 4 hour lay overs at Dubai and Casablanca, the total travel time was roughly 24 hours! 

Map of my 16 Hour Merry go round flight from Abuja to Casablanca

For a journey that could have been about 6 hours if there was a direct flight from Abuja to Marrakech or Casablanca. Though tiresome, the journey was loathsome fun.

A tiresome me on the flight to Dubai from Abuja

Due to the lateness of my flight confirmation, I could not get to subscribe to the group accommodation planned by other emerging professionals. I had to figure out an alternative. The plan was to stay in a ‘Riad’ – a Moroccan traditional house which was rather cheaper than staying in a hotel. It also afforded the opportunity to experience traditional Moroccan culture as most Riads were located close to the Souks and Medina which is the ancient part of the city. While the emerging professional group lodged at Riad Chennaoui, I lodged at Riad Al-Barad.

My Touch down at Marrakech Menara Airport.
The beautiful Archtectural marvel of the edifice compensated for all the travel and stop over time

I arrived Marrakech on 13^th October and found my way to my Riad via taxi. My first scenery of Marrakech was demurring as I watched a City cohabiting the ancient and modern in harmony. On the flight between Casablanca and Marrakech, the Plane flew well below the cloud cover so one could see clearly the aerial view of Marrakech. Nearly all the buildings were of red adobe laid out in jagged order. Prominent of the characteristic harmony between the ancient and modern was in the transport system. Despite the abundance of automobiles on the sparkling paved roads, donkeys and horse drawn carriages were common sight and to my surprise, I did not witness a collision scene between the ancient and modern means of transport.

My first Impression of the streets of Marrakech- Rougey, Spick in Ancient and Modern Terms

Fascinatingly, Donkey Haulage is common sight

Horse Drawn Carriage is also a viable means of transport!
Though mostly patronised by tourists

The ICOMOS General Assembly was held at the Mohammed V Cultural Centre. Assuredly, I knew I would miss my way to the location as the meandering souk alley ways was difficult to comprehend. Another baffling experience for me was how automobiles meander the narrow alley of the Souks. The average width of these alley ways were around 2.4m- 2.7m at the narrowest by my visual estimation.

Meandering the Souks was most Challenging for me

After settling at my Riad, I tried mastering my environ but I knew it was a futile effort without mobile internet access to navigate me while out. The next day, I took a taxi to Riad Chennaoui where most of the Emerging Professionals lodged. That Riad is close to the Bahai’s palace so the taxi dropped me off by the palace and told me the Riad is just a stone throw from thence. I began to walk towards the description and at some point asked a fellow passerby for direction to be sure I was on track. The fellow cheerfully volunteered to go the extra mile by walking me down to my destination which I later discovered was less than a minute away. Arriving at the destination, the fellow began to ask me for money. In his view, he had just shown me around as a foreigner/tourist and so I should remunerate him for his time. I was embarrassed and quite disgusted. I ignored his overtures and booked marked that character never to fall prey next time.

I walked down together with fellow Emerging Professionals to the Assembly complex. It was a fulfilling time getting to meet sundry faces I had earlier been communicating via email, and video-teleconference. For a start, I hooked up with the Africa Regional Group meeting. There I met with Kuzooka Conrad, Dr Tokie Brown, Matiyas Fantaye and other scholars. The meeting was presided by Dr Alpha Diop – the Africa Regional Representative.

Arrival at the venue of the Venue of the ICOMOS General Assembly

Photo shot after a Africa Regional Group Meeting Session

I then proceeded to join the Emerging Professional Working Group Meeting. Presided by Stacy Vallis, the meeting featured presentations of the status- quo of the Emerging Professional Working Group across the Continents/Regional make up of ICOMOS. I presented for the Africa region, highlighting our astronomic growth from 2 to over 20 persons within a year. I also highlighted our current pet project which was a review/analysis of Heritage Policies across the African continent- a project we are undertaking with our colleagues from the Arab Region and hopeful to present at the next ICOMOS General Assembly in Sydney in 2020.

Presenting the Report for the Africa Region at the ICOMOS Emerging Professionals Working Group Meeting

Cross Session of ICOMOS Emerging Professionals at the Meeting

Group Photo of the ICOMOS Emerging Professionals after our session

There were various group café sessions featuring divers ICOMOS Scientific committees. I skimmed around these sessions for interest. At even, the Emerging Professional Working Group organized a dinner session. We congregated at the Koutoubia Minaret and walked across the Jemaa El-Fna square for the event at the designated restaurant. 

Selfie at the Koutoubia Minaret while waiting for other Emerging professionals for Dinner

It was a refreshing session as we bonded over divers meal of choice. We hung out till midnight and while I was scared of making it down to my Riad all alone, I asked to stay with other Emerging Professionals at their lodging. However, I was surprised that the Jemaa El-Fna Square was bubbling with activity. There were snake charmers, Berber dances, social activities of all sorts and traders caught on the moment to do brisk business. My expectation of Morocco as a Muslim Country to be devoid of night activity was blown off.

Dinner was lit!

I ordered for Rice Kebab while Asaf smouldered Tajine beside me

The next day, I tried finding my way from my Riad to the symposium venue, I got lost navigating the Souks. In the end, I took a bus which to my surprise was driven by a lady and then a taxi to save my blushes but was surprised most taxi drivers I beckoned for a ride could not figure out my destination. Upon arrival at the Conference venue after a taxi got me there, I inquired about the colloquial name of the venue from a Moroccan local and was told the familiar name of the venue is ‘Babilahi- Norakab – Alawkaf.

I hoped not to miss my way next time but wary of my naiveté, I made my way back to my Riad before night fall and was not confident to walk back to the Bahai’s Palace for the Opening dinner. For subsequent days, I could walk to and fro the venue but not after being schooled about the City Layout by my Ethiopian Colleague, Matiyas Fantaye. He did this by walking me around town from the conference venue into the Medina and by-passing the Souks.

Selfie With Matiyas Fantaye (Centre)

Marrakech Routing 101 by Fantaye: Know the entrance to the Medina!

Marrakech evoked historical memories of Moorish architecture and ornamentation. The archetypal Syrian Arch and Horse Shoe Arc were Ubiquitous in every building. Most shops in the Souks had wooden doors! I was quite baffled at that. Additionally the environment was littered with felines. I personally don’t like cats but began to tolerate their domestic presence no thanks to Marrakech.

Asaf didnt mind the Felines nosing around. For me, I loathed them

The Horse Shoe Arc-- very ubiquitous in the Architecture of Marrakech

After series of meetings and knowledge café sessions, the Symposium was closed with a dinner at Chez Ali. We were treated to Moroccan culture and cuisine, featuring meal sessions under Bedouin tents and Choreographic performance of horse and camel rides. A colourful fireworks display closed the event.

At the closing dinner at Chez Ali

18^th October was dedicated for tours. I stayed back to shop as my return flight was on the 19^th. However, my Riad attendant Soufian who is Berber lamented my inability to visit his homeland on the Atlas Mountains. Fluent in French and Arabic, he struggled for English words and we had a hard time understanding each other. My spoken French was very basic and I struggled to sustain conversations of more than 2 sentences in French. Driss was another fellow who waited on me at my Riad during the early part of my stay. He is fluent in Arabic, speaks little French and sparse English. Our communication was restricted to the basics of food, though, he spoke better than Soufian. However, Khaled who is the principal of the Riad is fluent in English and French and we had no qualms comprehending each other.

My Riad Hosts - Khaled on the left and Soufian in the middle

I shared the Riad with tourists. Most were staying for a night and I could not get to interact with them – I stayed for 6 nights. Nevertheless, there was a France based Argentine Couple – Cecile and Carlos who also stayed in one of the rooms at the Riad. We bonded over breakfast despite linguistic dichotomy. My spoken French was poor and same was their spoken English. However, Carlos’s English picked some basic fluency and we were able to interact. We bonded when we discovered we had similar likes for classical music. Carlos is a Basson player and I a Viola player - and we talked over a range of issues from music to general life.

With Cecile and Carlos after Breakfast at the Riad

At even, I strolled out to hook up with some colleagues from the African Region Working Group for a farewell dinner. We met at one of the restaurants at Jemaa El-Fna Square. There was Kuzooka, Tokie, Chilangwa and me. We dined and shopped around the Souks before exchanging farewells.

My last dinner hook up
From Left - Kuzooka, Chilangwa, Tokie and me

Farewell dinner and shopping session with Tokie, Kuzooka and Chilangwa

I made my way back to my Riad but then, another Moroccan characteristic struck me. I noticed from every eatry I had patronized, bread was offered for free after whatever menu was ordered. However, water was not free. My Riad landlord offered 4 loaves of Moroccan bread and a Tajine ceramic upon my departure. I then recycled my loathsome fun itinerary back home. Marrakech- Casablanca – Dubai – Abuja, 24 hours of flights and layovers!

‘I have indeed - praise be to God - attained my desire in this world, which was to travel through the earth, and i have attained in this respect what no other person has attained to my knowledge.’

Shams al-Dīn ʾAbū ʿAbd al-Lāh Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Lāh l-Lawātī ṭ-Ṭanǧī ibn Baṭūṭah

REDEFINING THE AL-SHABAB NARRATIVE

Shabab! Shabab! an excited Egyptian Police officer muttered upon viewing my official identity documents handed me upon accreditation at the World Youth Forum Held at Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt between 3^rd-6^th November under the auspices of the Egyptian President, Abdel Fatah el-Sisi.

The Making of Al-Shabab!

Despite my fore knowledge of the word ‘Shabab’ as an Arabic word meaning ‘Youth’; up till that moment in Egypt, I despised being referred to as ‘Shabab’ though I would regard myself as youth. My reason was not farfetched. I first heard about the word ‘Shabab’ in 2006 as referring to an emergent Islamic militia organization in Somalia upon the crushing of the defacto governing Islamic Court Union by the Ethiopian Army in Mogadishu. Ever since then, Al-Shabab militia had gained notoriety in the irresponsible sense for frustrating lasting peace moves in that country. The grouping is even regarded as a terrorist organization by most governments in the international scene.

Coming from a country which has a similar adjudged militia grouping in Boko- Haram, I would certainly not admire being referred to as Boko Haram, as such I resented being referred to as Shabab.

My experience at the World Youth Forum changed all that phobia. I had always read about Egypt from my Bible and in later years from several study books at School and my personal collection and was held in awe of its status as the cradle of civilization. Nevertheless I was mystified by what truly shaped Egyptian Identity whether it was African? Or Arab?

Mesmerised at the Egyptian Identity, I took time to understand the Seven Pillars of Egyptian Identity

The first course of induction at the WYF was being taken through the seven pillars of Egyptian Identity and then I clearly understood the nature and values of her people which was ingrained in Pharaonic, African, Greco-Roman, Coptic, Arabic, Islamic, Mediterranean. Of course I was able to interact with Egyptian who shared these individual heritage pillars.

Marhaba! Was another word I found very useful from my rag-tag Arabic Vocabulary. Being able to say hello to Egyptians and indeed teeming youths across the Arab world brought smiles and interactive opportunities which I relished. I got blessed after such conversations with ‘Mashallah’.

The World Youth Forum had over 5000 attendees from over 160 Countries across the globe. It was the most diverse and immense summit I have ever attended. Held under the auspices of the Egyptian President, Abdel Fatah El-Sisi, in my view heralded an awakening for Egyptian Soft Power dominance across the Arab World and Africa.

With Ethiopia's Bitania Lulu. WYF afforded an opportunity to reconnect with contacts of the past from similar youth gatherings

Historically, the Pharoahs have by the innovations and inventions they helped drive shaped our world in mathematics, geometry, medicine, religion, architecture and all field of human endeavour. The Egyptian soft power trend continued through the ages of the Alexandrian-Hellenistic Ptolemies birthing the light house at Pharos and the magnificient Alexandrian Library; to that of Coptic Christianity borne out of the endeavour of St Mark the Evangelist which birthed Ascetics and calls in to piety, preserving vital Christendom history in Monasteries on the Sinai and Western Deserts. The Fatimid Caliphs birthed the World’s Oldest University, Al-Azhar, and the endeavours of the Mamluk and Ayyubid Caliphs which is ingrained in as the Eagle of Saladin in the current Egyptian flag lives in perpetual eminence.

Foremost Egyptian Nationalist leader Gamel Abdel Nasser talked about Heroic roles abounding for enthusiasts to take on and such was the endeavour of the World Youth Forum. Borne out of the Egyptian Presidential Leadership Programme, which was instituted as an annual event to harness the demographic dividend of youth from all climes. The programme of events comprised Start up Vein show case, Theatre performances, Several Panel discussion and workshop segments on topical world issues, Model of Arab Africa Summit among other events.

I had an enthralling experience at the FREEDOM.E

I participated at the Model Arab Africa Summit and found time to grace a few workshop sessions. Most enthralling of all was the Freedom.E arena which afforded the opportunity for medieval café-like talk sessions. It was pricking to note the omnipresence of the Egyptian President and his wife at almost all the sessions. Intriguing still was the invitation of the Arab gentry to the event, notable among which were the Palestinean and Sudanese Presidents.

Relaxing at the banks of the Red Sea after a dip in its saline waters

There was much support for people living with disabilities, and stand out youths were awarded prizes for their sundry endeavours. Of note was Zondwa Mandela, Grandson of Nelson Mandela.

For a foodie like me, there was lot to eat and drink. The organization was next to perfect with very few or non existent tangible complaints. Held at the fringes of the Red Sea, I found some time to have a deep in its Saline Waters leaving with regrets of not being able to see the ancient Pyramid wonders.

I love food and relish any dining momemt

The last word I utilized from my rag tag Arabic Vocabulary was Shukran! Or how best would I have appreciated the foresight and magnanimity of the current Egyptian leadership? Around our world, billions of dollars are budgeted for needless war equipments in Nuclear bombs, Stealth Fighter Planes and Ballistic Missile Technology but the Egyptian leadership chose to invest in youth!

My Shukran won’t be enough without reeling out the WYF recommendations, one of which called for another youth gathering at the Nubian heart land of Aswan on the banks of the Nile. The Egyptian President promised to fund and drive research in science and technology, business initiatives and Start-ups.

While the African continent sleep-walks the development drive, Egypt has provided a catalyst and surely we can’t wait for the ascendancy of the Egyptian president as the next Chair of the African Union.

And surely I returned back to my homeland accepting the Al-Shabab Tag. I have met several Shababs from across the globe and so I am an Al-Shabab!

From the land of Peace, Wa alaykumu s-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh SHUKRAN!

The Indian Partition: 70yrs On

"Our country has been broken; the great, sound pulsating heart of India has been broken.."  Asaf Khwaja Lahore Diaries 1949

When the British Government decided to dismantle its Imperial holdings in South Asia lying in the Indian Subcontinent and dubbed the Crown Jewel of the British Empire in 1947, that decision though noble in honoring the tenets of the Atlantic Charter which propounded the right for self determination of colonized peoples; led sharp religious delineations, inhumane and inhospitable fatal hostilities amongst once agelong convivial neighbours.

The Indian Partition plan propounded by Lord Mountbatten the last Viceroy of Colonial India sought the creation of two homelands based on religious delineations from British India; one distinctly Muslim and the other distinctly Hindu incorporating other religious minorities. 

Indian nationalist leader Jawaharlal Nehru (l), Viceroy of India Lord Louis Mountbatten (c) and the president of the All-India Muslim League Muhammad Ali Jinnah (r) discuss Partition in 1947
Source: bbcnews.com

As such, the provinces of Punjab and Bengal both of which had Muslim majorities were delineated as Pakistan (East and West Pakistan) while the rest were to form the Nation State of India. Simple as the partition plan seemed on paper, it aroused religious animosity amongst once convivial neighbours of different religious leanings. Thus, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and other religious minorities who felt insecure due to reprisal killings had to undergo the painful experience of forced migration in series of population uproots and exchanges between the newly formed nations of India and Pakistan in what was one of the greatest in history, some 10 million Hindus and Sikhs moved from Pakistan into India and vice versa, while about 2 million persons were killed in reprisals interspersed between the two newly formed Nations. In all, it is estimated that over 12 million lives were affected by this partition plan.

The British Partition of India
Source: bbcnews.com

Once a domain ruled by the Ghaznavids and Mughal Empires who were of Turko-Mongol origins and advanced the propagation of Islam amongst their Subjects, the majority subjugated Hindu, and Buddhist population once had glorious domineering empires of note, some which were the Mauryan and Gupta Empires of which legendary Ashoka was famed for the former in the 3^rd Century BC. Upon the subtle and forceful maneuvering subjugation intrigues by Europeans, chiefly the British in the 18^th Century of an already waning Mughal Empire via the English East India Company, the whole Indian Subcontinent came under the rule of the expansionist British Empire who now controlled the region having the World’s largest population.

The British partition delineation along religious lines gained roots in the series of inconclusive Anglo-Afghan wars of the 19^th and 20^th Centuries in which the Afghanistan Kingdom which used to exert influence over Punjab Province was granted Independence; thus, partitioning the tribal heartland of the Pashtuns between British and Afghan control. Along with the Sepoy rebellion which was suppressed, there was growing discontent of the British Colonialists which birthed the Indian National Congress in the late 19^th Century. Further partitions of the Bengal province along religious lines fueled mistrust amongst the majority Hindu and minority Muslim Nationalists which led to series of events resulting in the birthing of the Muslim league. As such, the British played on the divergent emancipation ideologies of these two Nationalist parties to their advantage as it suited and so the India National Congress and Muslim League became irreconcilable in their emancipation demands. While the India National Congress demanded independence for all of British India to establish a secular state for all religious delineation, the Muslim League sought a separate partition state in which would be Muslim majority; fearing Hindu redomination after the Muslims have recently controlled political affairs in the subcontinent via the defunct Ghaznavid and Mughal empires.

The India Partition frustrated over 12million lives
Source: https://tackk.com/6g98k1

 When the partition finally came in Mid August of 1947, two Nations were born as Muslim dominated Pakistan and Hindu dominated India. Both nations after undergoing forced population exchanges upon religious delineations fell into unending internecine conflicts over the Princely States of Jammu and Kashmir both of which delayed decision of ascribing sovereignty to India or Pakistan.

Growing tensions between these two Nations led India to intervene in East Pakistan crises in 1971, thus guaranteeing the independence of marginalized and disgruntled Bengalis to form the new nation of Bangladesh.

Yet the issues bothering about conflict over the status of Jammu and Kashmir remained unresolved, though frozen along the cease fire Line of Control. With both sides now nuclear armed and relishing a military solution in the face Indian obstinacy over Kashmir, Pakistan has sought to support non-State military actors to harass Indian Occupation of Kashmir. These Non-State Military actors while pushing the Pakistani agenda over Kashmir have in turn fueled destabilization of the polity in Pakistan, Afghanistan and globally via the activities of Islamist guerrillas such as the Taliban, Al-Queda, Pakistani Taliban, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Lashka-e-Taiba and Kashmiri insurgents whilst India has seemingly advanced its status as a global player first during the constitution of the Non Aligned Movement in 1950’s and in series of Technological advancement in Medicine, Industrialization, and Information Technology which has seen it dethroning the USA’s Silicon Valley and stamping its status among the Second World Order nations via the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) association and forging trading partnerships with Africa, US, EU, China and UK.

"Much suffering has been caused and much bitterness engendered…but what is done cannot be undone. All we can do now is to make amends for our past mistakes and work wholeheartedly for the restoration of peace and goodwill among the divided sections of the people."-- Asaf Khwaja

It is saddening to note that a once harmonious commune under the ancient Hindu Mauryan and Muslim Ghaznavid and Mughal Empires has been thronged in to that of mistrust based on religious delineation and a hot bed of fanatic Islamic militantism with perennial cataclysmic effects on Afghanistan.

As a region hosting a distinct cradle of civilization and the World’s largest population side by side with China, like China, the Indian Subcontinent has lots of positives to offer the world if peace can be advanced across the religious delineations entrenched by the British Partition of 1947.