The major methodology/strategy of the project is regular sensitization on marriage issues through counselling; The marriage breakdown has been attributed to the attitude of men and women towards marriage with the increase in marriage counselling seminars and accessibility to relevant marital information, the marriage stability is expected to increase; the project will address the psychological trauma that usually occurs among the couples, their children and parents; the young couples are likely to be well prepared for marriage challenges instead of looking forward to only wedding ceremonies. The project is intended to reduce the marriage instability by organizing marriage seminars in some selected LGAs on a monthly basis for at least 8 months in the project year. This frequency is required as a constant reminder for participants in particular and the entire populace in general; provision of support to the existing Marital Conflict Resolution Centers.
Background
About XXXXXXX of NSCIA
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), with the aim of fulfilling three of its 12 objectives, established an NGO called xxxxxxxx, xxxx. NSCIA was of the view that the NGO was required to have a project implementing entity (NGO) that can implement projects on its behalf, particularly for the less privilege Nigerians. XXXXXXX was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in April 2016, but started operation in April 2017. NSCIA provided some initial grants to XXXXXXXfor implementing the following projects:
- Marriage Counselling in FCT
- Life-skills Training for the Deaf Community in FCT, Ilorin, Gombe and Lafia.
- Provision of School Uniforms to IDP Primary Schools Durumi, Abuja
- Renovation of a pre-nursery class in L.E.A. Nomadic Primary School in Dutse, FCT, Abuja
- Construction of a 3-classroom building in Angwar Fulani, Off Lugbe Road, Abuja
- Sensitization of commercial drivers on drug abuse in 6 Motors Parks in FCT.
The NSCIA continues to provide moral and financial support for the viability of the NGO. One of the strategies for sustaining the NGO is to solicit for grants elsewhere in order to implement its projected projects which are targeted towards reducing the social vices in Nigeria. Concerted efforts are required for making meaningful impact in revising the trend of the social vices such as marriage breakdown and increasing drug abuse among the young ones.
In September 2018, Her Excellency Hajia Aisha Buhari,Wife of the President of Nigeria gave a grant of N30 million to NSCIA through her PET project Future Assured fora project on Mitigating the Problems of Marriage Instability and Divorce in 2 States State of Nigeria. The coverage area of the project is 6 LGAs in each of two States-Adamawa and Kano. The project has started in earnest. XXXXXXX on behalf of NSCIA is of the view that other Philanthropists like Barr. Wale Babalakin(SAN)through the XXXXXXX Foundation can do same in Osun State.
Organization Background
NSCIA acknowledged the immense programs carried out bythe XXXXXXX Foundation in the area of charity-giving. It recognized its vision, mission and objectives which are in line with those of NSCIA whose almost interest is provision of services to the less privileged people in Nigerian society. The interest areas of the XXXXXXX Foundationinclude provision of scholarships to some selected students as well as free eye treatment.
NSCIA believes that the concerted efforts will go a long way in reducing marital problems and divorce rate and consequently curbthe social vices in the country. It is therefore optimistic that its collaboration with XXXXXXX Foundationon Marriage Education would be worthwhile.
About Osun State
Osun State is one of the 36 States of Nigeria. It was carved out from Oyo State and was established in August 1991. It has a population of about 3.5 million people (based on 2006 Census) making it 17th out of the 36 states and it is comprised of 30 LGAs. This project is going to be carried out in 6 LGAs (2 LGAs per senatorial district).
Rationale
Divorce rate has been in the increase in Nigeria and it has significantly contributed to the growing social problemsbedeviling the society. Some preliminary findings have indicated that it is the disruption in the family system that leads to a number of social problems such as high rate of divorce, juvenile delinquency, prostitution by young ladies and drug abuse by youth.
The marriage breakdown has been attributed to the attitude of men and women towards marriage.For example, husbands are quick to walk away from their marriages with simple disagreements that can be easily solved. There are several important factors, based on research findings, which contribute to marriage instability. They include personality, religious participation, parent’s marriage, childhood experience, length of acquaintance/courtship, age of spouses, age difference, parental approval, interests/ambitions, communication, financial issues, rearing styles of children, conflict caused by tradition and western roles and expectations.
Intervention
XXXXXXX under its Social Program offers marital counselling for both men and women regardless of religion or region. It has observed that the social vices are common among the young ones, especially the children of unstable or broken marriages. Divorce rate is increasing across the country because many couples do not understand the essence of marriage and their responsibilities. This is a great problem which can be addressed by sensitization seminars, using professional Marriage Counsellors or Conflict Resolution specialists.
NSCIA (XXXXXXX) is of the view that if funds are made available a lot of positive changes can be achieved in the society. It hereby proposes pilot seminars on marriage stability in challenging circumstances in Osun State, especially in many Muslim families. The project is intended to reduce the marriage instability by
- Organizing marriage seminars in some selected LGAs on a monthly basis for at least 8 months in the project year. This frequency is required as a constant reminder for participants in particular and the entire populace in general.
- Provision of support to the existing Marital Conflict Resolution Centres in Osun State.
The seminars will target the young marriageable ones and newly married couples in order to understand the importance and essence of marriages. They will also remind the old married men and women that staying in marriage needs thought and efforts.
During the project period, the marriage counselling programs will deal with many issues which include: religious values, roles of each partner, conflict caused by traditional and western oriented expectations, sexuality, finances, child spacing and rearing, styles of rearing and upbringing of children, health, values and goals/ambition, communication, creative problem solving, power, authority and so on.
Target Group
- The young adult of marriageable age (just before marriage)
- The married couples (young, old, Muslim and non-Muslims)
Project Coverage Area
The project will cover six (6) Local Government Areas (2 per senatorial district) in the State. The urban LGAs will be considered because of their proliferation of population which is due to rural-urban migration. The project will be carried out within a year (12 months), which is extendable and replicable in other LGAs of the State.
The six LGAs were purposively selected.Aiyedade LGA was selected because it is the home LGA of the prospective funder, Barr. Wale Babalakin. They say ‘charity begins at home’, so his contribution to the well-being of his people is of great importance and worthwhile. Iwo LGA has a lot of Muslim families,which record many family disharmony or disintegration. Therefore, such families need marital sensitization which this project intends to address. The Ilesha and Oshogbo LGAs are urban LGAs and are likely to be proliferated with the cultural conflicts that cause marital disharmony. The Obokun and OlorundaLGAs are rural and not far from Ilesha and Oshogbo LGAs respectively and therefore would minimize logistic cost for verification exercise and monitoring of the project.
Strategies
- The major methodology/strategy is regular sensitization on marriage issues through counselling;
- Provision of support (remuneration of desk officers) at Marriage Centres
- Call-in from beneficiaries to professional Marriage Counsellors or conflict resolution personnel
Activities
- Opening of a separate project account, which shall be opened to auditing as required.
- Identification of Marriage Counsellors in the Osun State, that is, Professionals in marriage counselling, psychologists, mediators or those that have experience in conflict resolution.
- Preparation of FACTSHEETS on Marriages
- Translation of FACTSHEETS on Marriages into Yoruba language
- Printing of FACTSHEETS on Marriages and jotters.
- Verification of CBOs/FBOs/NGOs working on Marital Issues in the selected LGAs.
- Organize Training of Trainers (CBOs and Resource Persons) workshops
- Mobilization of participants in the State by engaging the CBOs /FBOs/NGOs
- Organising marriage seminars in the LGAs of the State
- Maintenance of Marriage Counselling Unitin the capital city (Oshogbo). The Unit will be responsible for attending to or providing necessary information on marriages.
Expected Result
- With the increase in marriage counselling seminars and accessibility to relevant marital information, the marriage stability is expected to increase.
- The project will address the psychological trauma that usually occurs among the couples, their children and parents.
- The project is expected to have multiplier effects through referral and peer group discussions.
- The young couples are likely to be well prepared for marriage challenges instead of looking forward to only wedding ceremonies.
Project Management
The NSCIA will assign XXXXXXX and other NSCIA personnel to the Project. The Principal Investigator, Professor Salisu Shehu will oversee the overall management and coordination of the project. The XXXXXXXProject Coordinator HajiaHafsat Mobolaji Olokodana will provide technical assistance in project implementation. She will also coordinate the activities of the day-to-day implementation of the project in the NSCIA office as well as making contact with the Marriage Counselling Unit of the State.
Financial Management
The grantee (NSCIA) will be responsible for the management of funds made available for this Project.The project finance officer who is stationed in NSCIA will coordinate the accounting system of the project, prepare and submit quarterly financial reports to XXXXXXXFoundation and NSCIA through XXXXXXX. A separate project account will be created and it will be audited (at any time as may be desired).
Resources to Carry Out The Project
Available Resources: Vast experienced project implementing personnel, well-equipped office space, constant electricity and internet connectivity. These resources shall be supported by the existing selected NGOs/CBOs in Osun State.
Needed Resources: 12-month remuneration for Project Implementation Team in form operational cost.
Project Implementation
This project shall be implemented by XXXXXXX on behalf of NSCIA and the selected CBOs in Osun State.
