Hajiya Bilkisu (MNI)
30 April 2009
opinion
Last week, between April 24-28 2009, Washington D.C. hosted august visitors.
The Co-Chairmen of the Nigeria Inter Religious Council NIREC, His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar and Archbishop John Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja and Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria CAN.
They were in the American capital to participate in the activities of the United Nations World Malaria Day and the launch of a new initiative to combat the scourge of the disease.
Other members of NIREC including my humble self were also invited to witness the historic occasion but most of us were unable to attend due to previous commitments or delay in applying for US visa, I however find it important to share with my readers the activities that took place at the Washington launch. The Washington based Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty (CIFA) and a NIREC partner in a malaria control project organized the event.
Before the trip to Washington, NIREC, working in partnership with CIFA had taken a pro active stance in the war against malaria by establishing a body the Nigerian Interfaith Action Association against Malaria (NIFAAM).
It is established to maximize religious community contributions to the national malaria control strategy in Nigeria. NIFAAM is expected to catalyse interaction between Nigeria's faith community, national, and international resource providers through a coordinated and coherent partnership framework designed to deliver efficient and effective programmatic responses. 'NIFAAM exists to expand the participation of interfaith action on malaria initiatives that work to improve the lives of Nigerians.
Building on the far-reaching organizational infrastructure of Nigeria's interfaith communities, NIFAAM will constitute an effective mechanism through which partnerships between religious bodies, across faiths and denominations, and the Government and international community can deliver assistance and disseminate information in the public interest. As a groundbreaking institution, NIFAAM will serve as an international example of the transformational impact the interfaith community can have as a channel for the provision of targeted resources.
The Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty (CIFA) will provide strategic support to NIREC in working with Government, international community and private sector in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
The Washington event was to show case this unique partnership. The 'One World Against Malaria' events began with a Congressional Breakfast and the hosts were the UN Special Envoy for nonprofit organization Malaria No More, and US Representatives and Senators. Other events were a Global Health Council Congressional Briefing on "New Tools in the Fight Against Malaria," in the US Capitol, and a reception at the Nigerian Embassy was organised for the visiting dignitaries.
On the second day, several events were organised featuring the Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty CIFA, US and African Faith leaders, the United Nations Special Envoy for Malaria, and experts on the issue of malaria.
A dinner was hosted by Edward Scott, Chairman of the Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty. The venue of the events was the National Geographic Society in the heart of Washington's business district. The partners who co hosted the events were the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Global Business Coalition; Global Health Council; Malaria No More; Roll Back Malaria Partnership; Tony Blair Faith Foundation; United Nations Foundation; and World Vision.
The objectives of the events on the first day were to launch and show case 'a first-ever, Africa-wide campaign to engage faith-based institutions, working in partnership with governments and the private sector, in increasing the distribution and use of malaria bed nets and treatments to ensure every African has access to key malaria interventions by 2010 and end deaths from malaria by 2015. "One World Against Malaria" will foster collaboration among people of different countries, cultures, and religious faiths - particularly Christians, Muslims and Jews - across the public, private and non-profit sectors to end deaths from malaria.'
The campaign is a timely strategy that will promote achievement of the sixth goal of the Millennium Development Goal MDG 6 which called on all UN member nations to reverse the scourge of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases.
The message of the campaign is inspiring "Malaria is a solvable problem in an age when so much seems unsolvable. Malaria is a safe haven in an increasingly ideological debate, permitting concerted action among people of different countries, cultures, sectors and faiths.' Prayers were said by Imam Magid of All Dulles Area Muslim Society and a Welcome address was read by Ray Chambers and Ed Scott in which he announced the One World Against Malaria campaign and highlighted the purposes of the summit. This was followed by the release of a UNICEF document The State of Malaria Report by Ann Veneman.
There were several panel presentations. The first was a response to the report which highlight the importance of engaging faith based leaders and identified examples from experiences of project implementers. The panel was moderated by the African Council of Religious Leaders and participants included the World Bank, Global Fund and World Health Organization WHO, The second panel was titled Interfaith Models for collaboration Against Malaria and it focused on the importance of faith institutions in the fight against poverty and disease.
Among the participants were Sheikh Shaban Mubaje from Uganda and Dr Awa Marie Coll-Seck. This was followed by the launch of Nigerian Interfaith Action Association Against Malaria NIFAAM by Archbishop John Onaiyekan, Sultan Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar the Sultan of Sokoto, Bishop Sunday Makinde and Dr. Sofola, Director, National Malaria Control Programme in the Ministry of Health.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 Daily Trust. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
