ALL NIGERIAN UNITED NATIONS STUDENT AND YOUTH ASSOCIATION ANUNSAOAU

What's better than one SDG Spotlight? Two!! Our second spotlight ✨ is on SDG 6 : Clean Water and Sanitation Without clean water and sanitation in residential areas, there will be poor hygiene and this could lead to the breakdown of the immune system of several humans on earth which could result in an increase in mortality rate. Currently the WFEO (The World Federation Of Engineering Organizations), is being innovative on the design of water infrastructures (dams and reservoirs, channels, pipelines, pumping stations, water treatment plants), engineering contributions include the technification of systems, providing them with ‘intelligence’ that enables better operation and management through research and development, and knowledge transfer (Trevelyan, 2019). One major challenge that the governments face especially in developing countries is proper funding from their side and illiteracy on the part of its citizens. The issue of inadequate or mismanagement of funds has limited the actualization of the sdg goals in many countries and unless they become a priority there might not be a future for these goals. Student organizations like ANUNSA, JCIN, AIESEC and so many others to name but a few, could come together with the initiative of ensuring that; Awareness is created in order to ensure that people are well knowledgeable on the vitality of clean water and the health dangers of not having good sanitation. Furthermore, these student bodies could embark on projects to build clean and sustainable channels of water in societies that lack them. Lastly, in order to maintain this goal, a proper education on how to maintain clean water systems and the fostering of proper hygiene should be done as well. #ANUNSAOAU #Sdgspotlight #Sdg6 This SDG insight was contributed by Anunsite JESUTOFUNMI ADUN. A 300 level student of History and International Relations. Jesutofunmi is the Secretary General at ANUNSA OAU.

Hello there. Long time no SDG Spotlight!. Today's Spotlight is on SDG 5 ✨ The Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) aims to achieve gender equality. Despite progress, gender equality remains distant. Women are underrepresented in leadership, underpaid, and burdened by unpaid care work. SDG 5 seeks to dismantle systemic barriers and empower women and girls, addressing issues like child marriage and violence against women. SDG 5 is essential because it unlocks potential by providing women and girls access to education and economic opportunities, strengthens societies by promoting peace, combats poverty, and improves health choices by allowing women control over reproductive health. Initiatives supporting SDG 5 include BRAC’s education programs in Bangladesh, Kiva’s microfinance for women entrepreneurs, and MenEngage Liberia’s cultural change efforts. Challenges include limited resources, social norms, and data gaps. Notable initiatives that support SDG 5 include the Maasai Empowerment Program in Kenya, SEWA in India, and Young Activists for Change in Guatemala. Student organizations like ANUNSA can promote SDG 5 by: 📌Organizing workshops and screenings on gender equality issues. 📌Hosting guest speakers such as local activists and female entrepreneurs. 📌Partnering with NGOs on girls' education or women's empowerment initiatives. 📌Fostering gender understanding through public discussions. 📌Celebrating International Women's Day with campus-wide events showcasing female talent and leadership. Change begins with us, and even small steps can lead to significant progress over time. By taking action to promote gender equality, we can create a more just and equitable world for everyone. #sdgspotlight #ANUNSAOAU #SDG5 This SDG insight was contributed by Anunsite Mary Olarenwaju, a 200-level Economics student and member of the social and editorial committees at ANUNSA.

Welcome to another series of Culture Spotlight ✨✨ Today, we're shining the light on Haiti, a beautiful Caribbean country with a rich history and culture. Located on the island of Hispaniola, Haiti shares borders with the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Cuba. The country's name, "Hayti," means "land of the mountains" in the indigenous Taíno language. And indeed, Haiti is home to the Massif de la Selle mountain range, with peaks reaching nearly 9,000 feet. The island's unique geology makes it prone to earthquakes, but its tropical climate means warm temperatures year-round. Haiti has a complex history, with various groups inhabiting the island since 5000 B.C. Christopher Columbus landed in 1492, and the Spanish established a colony, enslaving native Taínos and bringing Africans to work on plantations. The French later took over, increasing production of crops like coffee, cotton, and sugarcane. In 1791, the enslaved people revolted, leading to Haiti's independence in 1804. The country's tropical climate and mountainous terrain make it vulnerable to natural disasters like hurricanes, which have caused significant damage and flooding in recent years. Despite its challenges, Haiti is home to stunning natural beauty, including tropical and pine forests, diverse wildlife, and beautiful coastlines. The country has two national parks, La Visite and Pic Macaya, which are home to species like the rhinoceros iguana and the Hispaniolan trogon. Haiti's government is a semi-presidential republic, with a president elected by the people, while the president appoints the Prime Minister . The country faces significant economic challenges, relying on foreign aid and struggling with high poverty rates. However, Haitians are resilient and resourceful, with many working in farming, manufacturing, and exporting products like coffee, mangoes, and sugarcane. The culture is a unique blend of African, French, and indigenous influences. Voodoo is an official religion, and many Haitians practice a combination of spiritualism and Catholicism. The traditional diet includes spicy meat dishes, locally grown vegetables, and fruits like mango and guava. Haitians take pride in their flag and cultural heritage, reflected in their vibrant clothing and flag-related patterns. The majority of the population speaks Haitian Creole, with French and Spanish also spoken by some. That's all for this week's #CultureSpotlight! Join us next time as we explore another fascinating #culture from around the world. Until then, let the rhythm of culture continue to inspire and unite us all. #ANUNSAOAU This Culture Spotlight was written by Anunsite Edet Jemimah Grace.

Welcome to SDG Spotlight ✨⭐ Today's Spotlight is on Anunsite Mary Olanrewaju as she shares insights on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs represent a universal commitment to ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity for all. This document summarizes key takeaways and findings from our exploration of the SDGs with Anunsite Mary. We invite you to join us in exploring how we can collectively contribute to a more sustainable future. #ANUNSAOAU #SDGs #sustainability #Partnershipforthegoals

Welcome to Culture Spotlight ✨ A weekly feature in which we highlight the vibrant thread of cultures from around the world 🌎. This week, we shine the spotlight on the resourceful Baruba tribe, of Benin. 🔹History The Baruba people, also known as Baatonu, are the primary residents of Borgou and Alibori Departments in northeastern Benin, and were instrumental in founding the Borgu kingdom that extended into northeast Benin and west-central Nigeria. They are also found in Nigeria, particularly in Kwara and Niger State. The majority of the one million Baruba people live in Benin with smaller communities in Togo. 🔹Culture The Baruba celebrate the Gaani festival with a special focus on horse riding, which is a significant element in their tradition. The horse symbolizes their heritage, with the Horse Game being a central part of their festivals. 🔹Economy Their economy centers around agriculture, with crops like corn, sorghum, rice, and cassava being grown. Religion holds a primary place in Baruba society, with most adherents following Islamic practices, although some communities maintain their indigenous beliefs. 🔹Governance Their government structure includes caste divisions and a monarchy system, with the King being known as "Suno." Each Baruba community has its own kingship title such as DEREKUREKU of Ilesha Baruba, SABIPKASI of Yashikira land, KOTOKOTOGI of Okuta land. 🔹Dressing The Baruba's traditional attire varies for men and women, reflecting their social status. Their day-to-day outfit, the Turu, is a large ankle-length, generally sleeveless tunic made from thick ecru cotton hessian. The knee-length dansigi or shirt is sometimes used as an undergarment. The bermuda-style demberu is made from fabric for the Wasangari or animal skin for the hunters and farmers. Luxury attire for important days takes the form of the more elegant tako with its tasteful colors. Woman outfits can appear more modest, simply comprising a loincloth, skirt and head-scarf. The clothes correspond to their ages: young girls wear long loincloths or short skirts whereas married women wear two loincloths and a headscarf. 🔹Food Yams are a staple in their diet, with Sokuru being a popular dish made from yams and served with various sauces. Yams are also eaten pureed (Pereku) or ground and dried (Yennu). The traditional dish of millet paste is now sometimes replaced by corn paste mixed with manioc. Manioc is also used to make gari. That's all for this week's Culture Spotlight! Join us next time as we explore another fascinating culture from around the world. Until then, let the rhythm of culture continue to inspire and unite us all! This Culture Spotlight was written by Anunsite Zuliat Ibrahim #ANUNSAOAU #Unitednations #Culturespotlight Image sources: Global Times - Gaani Festival held in Nikki, Benin Republic LitCaf.com – Gaani Festival

Welcome to Culture Spotlight ✨ A weekly feature in which we highlight the vibrant thread of cultures from around the world 🌎. This week, we shine the spotlight on the vibrant Ovambo tribe of Namibia, located in southwestern Africa. With a population of 49%, the Ovambo people are the largest ethnic group in Namibia, also found in southern Angola. ♦️Language and Religion The Ovambo people speak Oshiwambo, a Bantu language closely related to the Herero and Himba languages. While they are predominantly Lutheran Christians, they also practise their traditional religion, honouring a supreme being named Kalunga and observing rituals centred around a sacred fire. ♦️Leadership and Economy Each Ovambo tribe has a hereditary chief responsible for the tribe, with members of the royal family known as 'Aakwanekamba'. The domestic economy is organised around agriculture and pastoralism, with women leading agriculture and men leading pastoralism. ♦️Culture and Traditions The Ovambo people have a rich culture, featuring traditional dancing, music, and crafts like basketry and pottery. Storytelling and oral history are also strong traditions, passed down through generations. ♦️History and Resilience The Ovambo people have a long history in Namibia, dating back to the 17th century. They faced colonisation by the Germans and South Africans, and played a significant role in Namibia's struggle for independence. That's all for this week's Culture Spotlight! Join us next time as we explore another fascinating culture from around the world. Until then, let the rhythm of culture continue to inspire and unite us all! This Culture Spotlight was written by Anunsite Adeyemo Oyindamola Priscilla. Image sources Slide 1: Hadithi.Africa Slide 2: Hadithi.Africa Slide 3: ResearchGate Slide 4: ResearchGate Slide 5: Wearelinkers Slide 5: Wearelinkers #ANUNSAOAU #Culturespotlight #Unitednations

Introducing Culture Spotlight ✨✨ A weekly feature in which we highlight the vibrant threads of cultures from all across the world 🌎 Join us as we reveal the depth of traditions, celebrate the diversity of voices, and bridge the gap between worlds, one spotlight at a time. This week, our cultural spotlight shines on the stunning archipelago of Zanzibar, a tropical paradise formerly governed by the royal dynasty known as Mwinyi Mkuu. Zanzibar, a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania,🇹🇿 is known for its white beaches, turquoise waters, and lush palm trees. The island is home to a vibrant mix of ethnicities, including Persian, Arab, Portuguese, and Bantu heritages, which has deeply influenced its identity. The islands were settled by Bantu-speaking people at the beginning of the first century and have experienced conflicts, slave trade, and a thriving commercial sector. Today, Zanzibar is known for its spice farms, seaweed cultivation, and traditional sailing crafts. The primary languages spoken in Zanzibar are Swahili and English, with Arabic, Hindu, and Urdu also present due to the diverse population. The way of dressing in Zanzibar is conservative, with women often wearing garments covered in richly colored fabrics. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases Zanzibar's ancient architectural heritage. Religiously, Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim, with over 90% of the population adhering to Islam. The island is famous for its diverse cuisine, with dishes like Zanzibar pizza, mchuzi wa pweza, ugali, pilau rice, biryani ya Zanzibar, ndizi kwanga, date-nut bread, and coconut bean soup. Zanzibar hosts several notable festivals, such as the Sauti za Busara music festival, the Dhow Countries Festival, and the Mwaka Kogwa celebration. The island's natural environment is also amazing, with the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park home to the rare red colobus monkey and diverse underwater life. Stay tuned for our next spotlight, and until then, let the rhythm of cultures continue to inspire and unite us all. Photos Credits: 1st Frame: Photo by Charl Durand: https://lnkd.in/eEgfrWJm 2nd & 3rd frame: https://lnkd.in/eEjNDB_J 4th Frame: https://lnkd.in/eMcUgJS3 This Culture Spotlight was written by Anunsite Mary Olanrewaju

It's a new week! ✨✨ Today's Spotlight is on SDG 4. SDG 4 is aimed at ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. It is a critical global objective because every other sustainable development goal is linked to it. Education empowers people, provides them with skills needed for decent work and helps to lift communities out of poverty. SDG-4 equips individuals to meet other sustainable development goals related to health, gender equity, economic growth and lots more. 📌Strategies and initiatives that have proven successful in tackling education deficit include: - Leveraging technology via online and distance learning programs. - Eliminating school fees especially at the foundational level ( primary -high school). Countries like Kenya saw big jumps in enrollment after eliminating fees. - Investing in teacher training. E.g. The Teach for All initiative has had success recruiting teachers for rural and low-income countries, thereby providing education to children in those areas. To mention a few... The most successful initiatives have taken a comprehensive, contextualized and collaborative approach- tackling multiple barriers simultaneously while engaging stakeholders at all levels. 📌 Challenges government face in implementing quality education plans and projects includes: - Limited budget and resources constraints. - Limited student-teacher standard ratio. 📌 Student organizations like ANUNSA can effectively contribute towards quality education by means of which include: - Being a platform for her members to volunteer for awareness programs in rural areas. - Contributing to pay school fees for children willing to go to school but cannot afford it. - Partnering with brands and other NGOs to organize educational programs and short term volunteering teaching sessions on literacy for children who cannot read and write. In all, let us note that collaboration between the government, NGOs, communities and youth organizations is key to making progress towards SDG 4. This SDG insight was contributed by Mercypraise Ninan,a 500 level student of Medical Rehabilitation. Anunsite Mercypraise is currently the Vice President of ANUNSA, OAU. #unitednations #sdgoals #educationforall #qualityeducation

SDG Spotlight is back!!✨ After a short break, we are very excited to resume sharing invaluable insights on the SDGs. We apologize for the hiatus, but we are back and ready to shine a spotlight on sustainable solutions and impacts. Today's spotlight is on SDG 3. SDG 3 aims to promote Good Health and Well-being. Goal 3 is targeted towards ensuring healthy lives and promoting physical and mental well-being for all at all ages. This goal aims to achieve universal health coverage and equitable access of healthcare services to all, it aims at preventing diseases and death by focusing on key targets that boost the health of a country's overall population. The targets of SDG 3 focus on various aspects of healthy life and healthy lifestyle. Strategies useful for achieving Goal 3 includes; • Increase in health financing, deploying medical aids, and supporting health workers. • Improving medical education curriculum to accommodate rising global health challenges. • Vaccination. • Advocacy and Education. Challenges Government face in implementing effective strategies includes; 📌Funding: Though a strategy that has proven successful in tackling this issue still remains an issue itself. Funding though available seems not to be equally or adequately distributed among key sectors for the improvement of health and Wellbeing. 📌Rural-Urban Disparities: Effective health strategies are easy to implement in urban areas compared to rural areas 📌Profit and non-profit making agenda within the health sectors Private foundations have stepped into the breach, with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) becoming one of the largest health funders both within and outside WHO. How student organizations like ANUNSA can make effective contributions. ♦️The first way to make change in any field is correcting wrong knowledge. A student organization like ANUNSA can make effective contribution to SDG 3 by advocating safe health practices and collaborating with other organizations to sensitive her community on important lifestyle habits to achieving good health. ♦️ANUNSA can also contribute by Partnering with Health Foundations to deploy health outreaches to rural environments. ♦️Lastly ANUNSA can partner with organizations to make medical care available and free to certain persons. In all, let us note that collaboration between the government, NGOs, communities and youth organizations is key to making progress towards SDG 3. This SDG insight was contributed by Bolarinwa Oluwasemilore Marvelous Oluwasemilore Bolarinwa , a 400 level student of Science and Technology Education, OAU. Anunsite Semilore is currently the Director of Volunteer Corp of ANUNSA, OAU. #unitednations #sdgoals #goodhealthandwellbeing

Harmattan had nothing on us as we armed ourselves with nothing but a common goal and our cleaning items to rid the campus of trash that littered our beautiful campus environment. ANUNSA had the privilege of collaborating with Plogging Nigeria Club to embark on the initiative of achieving a number of SDGs. Last Saturday was well spent by taking care of our environment. We implore students to make positive impacts on the campus and the planet at large by properly disposing waste. Together we can combat adverse effects of environmental pollution! #cleanerplanet #sdggoals