Innovation Hub for Inclusiveness, Empowerment, and Social Development (SieDi-Hub) is a woman and youth-led non-profit that focuses on improving the lives of youths, women, and children in low-income communities in Nigeria – using a multi-faceted approach: such as research and evidence gathering, policy engagement, advocacy, systems strengthening, training, mentorship, and direct program interventions.
They aim to inspire hope and contribute to the well-being of people in underserved and low-resource communities. SieDi-Hub officially launched its operations in Abia State, Nigeria, on the 16th of June 2022, with the theme “Working Toward Inclusive Development”. The event was also used to unveil the organization’s strategic plans for the next couple of years.
The Hybrid event brought together stakeholders from different walks of life, both local and international audiences. Participants joined from both public and private institutions, civil society organizations, philanthropists and other institutions, and young people from Abia state.
The highlight of the event was when the founder Chinasa Imo rolled out some of the SieDi-Hub program implementation plans.
According to her: “Our work will focus on social development policy engagements at the state level. We will adopt a collaborative and capacity-building strategy to empower young people to work with policy stakeholders to influence policymaking processes that will reflect the identified priority needs of our demographics.
“We will also implement direct intervention programs to improve access to healthcare services through preventive health outreaches and advocacy for improved service delivery in primary healthcare facilities.
“Through our sisterhood connect program; we will tackle social justice issues, such as sexual/domestic violence and child abuse, by providing wrap-around services (psychosocial, financial, legal, and other necessary support) to victims and survivors; support smallholder farmers to improve their productivity and profitability through agripreneural empowerment programs.
“Finally and most importantly, we will design and implement various innovative youth capacity strengthening programs to hone their socio-economic empowerment skills that will help reduce factors that contribute to their social exclusion”
The event saw a lineup of notable speakers who delivered presentations on different related topics of the organization’s focus.
The Keynote Speaker, Barr Egbiri Egbiri from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while delivering his keynote lecture titled ‘Legal framework for Achieving Social Justice in Nigeria’, stated affirmatively that, the protection of lives and seeking social justice are the constitutional rights of every citizen of Nigeria, and championing social justice is a collective duty.
“Therefore he charged participants to partner with SieDi-Hub by either volunteering or donating to the organization’s cause, as this would go a long way to help them deliver their mission effectively in the community.
“We also had the privilege to hear the former Abia State Commissioner of Health, Hon. Dr. Kalu Ndukwe, share experiences of his work in Abia state during his tenure, the challenges he faced in the office, and what worked, he also shared a case study of his rural health intervention projects in the state through his local non-governmental organization set up to support women and children’s health in rural communities.
Other highlights of the event included a Panel discussion moderated by Amb. Emmanuel Gabari, the official unveiling of the SieDi-Hub logo, goals, vision, and mission of the organization.
The official unveiling was let by Engr. Ndukwe Orji – the Director-General of Abia State Road Maintenance Agency, members of the board of Trustees, and other guests.
Goodwill messages were delivered by invited organizations – World Health Organization-WHO, ONE Campaign Nigeria, The Abia State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Boundless Hands Africa, Raising New Voices, YALI Network Abia Chapter ETC.
The event was wrapped with the commissioning of SieDi-Hub women and youths programs Ambassadors – Queen Ifeoma Okenwa who is the current reigning National Queen Nigeria, and Miss Rejoice Amaka Uka.
