VISION---Our singular vision is to strive to reach as many women as possible both in the urban and rural areas in Nigeria to develop sustainable Economic and Social Development Programmes for the benefit of Nigerian woman and youth. MISSION---Our mission statement is to equip women for economic development and self reliance through acquisition of basic income yielding skills, literary education, s
ocial orientation and health. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1. To achieve a better life for women in Nigeria in terms of training, educating and equipping for general and modern economic competitiveness.
2. To enhance the establishment of cooperative groups in rural/urban areas.
3. To work as advocates towards the provision of basic social amenities for rural/urban areas directly connected with women empowerment.
4. To focus attention on government agencies and motivate government agencies responsible for promotion of rural/urban areas for consistent economic improvement of the economic environment to enable the uplifting of women generally.
5. To liaise with the appropriate government authorities in job creation by means of entrepreneurial/capacity building programs and periodical job performance evaluation for the development of women’s economic potentials.
6. To formulate short termed strategic policies applicable to micro-credit schemes turn over as a means of stimulating growth in women business undertakings. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The DSI is a body corporate with the following eminent personalities constituting its directors;
Jacqueline Olayemi Odiadi; she is an Attorney at Law, a Chartered Secretary and an Arbitrator. She is a founding member of DSI and she is currently the Executive Director. She is a member, Board of Trustee of other NGOs. She is married with children. Stella Olubunmi Francis; she is an Attorney at Law, a Deaconess in her church and the Director, Programmes. Grace Modupe Olawepo; she is an Attorney at Law, a lecturer in a Federal University in Nigeria and a minister of the gospel. She is the Director in charge of Rural and Urban projects. Bimpe Olusoji; she is an Attorney at Law and Chartered Secretary. She holds a masters degree in Business Administration. She is the Director Special Duties and Promotions. Toyin Marie Omolola; she is an Attorney at Law and a partner in a Law Firm. She is the Director in charge of Research and Development. Titi Sorungbe; she is an Attorney at Law, a Researcher and a Principal Partner of a Law Firm in Lagos. She is the Executive Secretary of DSI, She is married with children. THE DSI PROGRAMmeS Our desire to impact positively into the life of women and children is the major thing that drives our efforts and daily activities. In view of this factor, we have outlined several activities/programmes that push up our heart driven dream for the betterment of our society. These activities includes; Skills Acquisition Programme (SAP); This programme is designed to provide informal vocational training to specific target groups, such as women and youths. It is done to enhance their self reliance. The various skills include; hat and bead making, making of soaps and cosmetics, tye and dyeing, food processing, etc. The Awareness Creation Programme Under this programme, an effective societal awareness is created in order to enlighten people, especially women about certain habits or diseases that are injurious to their health e. g HIV/AID and other diseases awareness, war against illiteracy, war against poverty and malnutrition, war against malnutrition and infant mortality, war against political, religious, communal and electoral violence that is fast reducing the number of our able bodied youths. Legislative training programme; This programme is meant to influence legislation on women issues. It deals with exclusive research into the work of the legislatures and their daily deliberations. Research and Development of Social Economic Programme. This programme is a research aimed at bringing societal development through innovative economic ideas that enhances changes. Entrepreneurial Development Programme (EDP) This programme is designed to address lack of managerial skills in women and the youths. It is aimed at developing their small scale businesses into a well structured business entities and establish them on the plat form of modern business. Educational Sector Development programme (EDUGRANT) This programme is done in partnership with the German Embassy Situate in Nigeria. The facilities supplied to various schools include; toilet facilities, borehole facilities, sponsoring of teachers/pupils, establishing school base management committee etc. DSI ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS. WHY SUCH PROGRAMS IN THE NIGERIAN CONTEXT? STATISTICS, SELF DEVELOPMENT, etc. Nigeria, known as the giant of Africa is a developing country that is faced with a lot of challenges, most of which can only be solved at individual level. Also, it needs pressure groups that can influence governmental policies to better the lot of its citizenry. For instance, the problems of illiteracy, massive unemployment and HIV/AIDS, prevalent among youths and women can be solved through both formal and informal education. At this stage of development in our country, skills acquisition that enhances self reliance should be the craving of all. Our government cannot supply job for the teaming population of more than 157 million people. We therefore have to resort to alternative ways for survival. Don’t be surprised to hear that a comprehensive statistics is still reflecting the fact that majority of Nigerians are still lagging behind poverty level. As if that is not enough, majority of Nigerians are illiterate. The unfortunate story is that even among the educated few, the number of unemployed youths is increasing in a geometrical progression style. It is in view of these compelling factors that DSI is out to develop women and youths who are the number one victims of this societal menace. As a result of this unfortunate state of things, we have recorded a good number of infant mortality, child abuse, e.g. hawking on the streets, prostitution, human trafficking, electoral, religious and communal violence, corrupt practices, hired assassins, armed robbery, etc. these vices can only reduce our highly cherished country to nothing. We have witnessed several circumstances where the husband as a sole bread winner of the family dies prematurely leaving the wife and children with no hope of survival. We try our best to make women co-bread winners of their families, thereby reducing the level of overdependence on men. CLASS OR CATEGORIES OF PERSONS IN NEED OF DSI PROGRAMS. In our unique circumstances, we believe that everybody needs DSI programs most especially women and youths. And hence our efforts are geared towards bettering the life and interest of women and Youths; this will go a long way in revamping the down trodden hope of our homes and society in general. Also, our activities like schools visitation, sinking of bore holes etc. are meant for public consumption irrespective of sex or locality. Listed below are a few of the activities carried out by DSI.
1 DSI has just concluded a project in collaboration with CSACEFE and UBEC to carry out a monitoring exercise in ogun state during which we administered questionnaires in all the schools in ogun state.
2 In june 2011, DSI carried out an HIV/AIDS enlightenment campaign at the ojota garage for the commercial bus drivers.
3 In 2010, DSI carried out a survey of schools in lagos state with the aid of questionnaires in partnership with CSACEFA.
4 DSI recently provided another borehole at ajindo community, badagry local government area, lagos state in September 2011, in partnership with the embassy of the federal republic of germany in Nigeria.
5 DSI recently concluded a skill acquisition program for women and the youth in asabe dalta state in july/august 2011, in partnership with chevron and the ministry of women affairs, youth and development, asaba, delta state. GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION/ POLICIES/IMPACT. Our government has not in any way relented in its effort to better the lot of its citizens, especially in relation to women and youth affairs. Several programs like Family Support Program (FSP), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and the current number of women enjoying political appointments reveal the fact that there are better days ahead. THE DSI APPROACH Our approach is basically enhanced by the research we conduct in our society on a daily basis. It is also anchored on the statistics supplied for general public consumption. We observe legislations to see whether they are biased against women and make proper suggestions to the legislators, we look at the factors affecting the general state of health of women in our society, we look at the main causes of abject poverty and proffer solutions. We look at the general needs of societies, e.g. water, and look for a way to cure that need. We give relevant information in form of seminars, workshops, computer training, etc we also engage in a practical demonstration of our skills acquisition programs. OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIP Any interested corporate body, institution, organization, government/government agency, individual or group of individuals, interested in bettering our society or enhancing the life of women and youths who are the future of this country and the world at large are encouraged to partner with us for the attainment of this dream. It is indeed a fact that every good project has its own challenge; this one is not an exception. The challenges ranges from lack of basic amenities/infrastructure, lack of funds, problem of easy access to information, lack of man power, etc. Our interested partners can support us in cash and kind so as to help us actualize this dream. Your efforts will ever be appreciated.
