International Year for the Volunteers (IYV) Follow-up Report to the UN GA, Vitalis Anopue

1. Volunteering trends 
(i) Could you please describe any changes you have observed in volunteering since 2001 in Nigeria (and the Africa region if you are able) and especially in the past 3 to 4 years, and possibly trends you see emerging?

There has been an upward development in volunteering in Nigeria.  It was within the time under review that the former president of Nigeria (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo) made his worldwide campaign to encourage Nigerians in the Diaspora to volunteer their expertise for the development of Nigeria.  This gave birth to the Nigeria Diaspora Organizations (NIDO) in all the continents of the world and the Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS).

In the past 3 to 4 years, NNVS has consistently provided a platform for the Diasporans to network for national development through an annual conference.  This has produced some good results.  For instance, a Diasporan who is a geophysist in the U.S, Prof Barth Nnaji, established an Independent Power Plant in Alaoji Aba in Abia State as a result of his intervention to solve the energy crisis in that part of the country.

There has also been a greater interest in volunteering activities amongst Nigerian citizens.  Mutual self help and philanthropy has been on the increase.  Many wealthy Nigerians are establishing foundations to address one problem or the other in the society.  It is true that some of the Foundations are established by politicians to gain recognition for themselves, but they are achieving results and solving problems in the society.

Many Nigerians are volunteering irrespective of the challenges of poverty and lack of volunteer infrastructure.

I have also witnessed a greater collaboration amongst volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations in the African continent. For instance, in 2005, IAVE Nigeria invited volunteers from Volunteer and Service Enquiry of Southern Africa (VOSESA) to make an input in the workshop for stakeholders in the study on SCOPE, PATTERN AND EXTENT OF VOLUNTEERING IN NIGERIA AND BOTSWANA sponsored by UPS Foundation of Washington.

Also in 2007, VOSESA invited volunteers from IAVE Nigeria and Botswana to South Africa to make an input in the 5 Country research on Volunteering and Civic Service.

(ii) How do you see these changes being addressed in Nigeria/Africa? If you are able to provide examples please do so.

The changes witnessed in the sector are not challenges.  However, they could be further strengthened through the establishment of volunteer infrastructures like enacting enabling laws to support volunteering and the establishment of a National Volunteer Center.  At every volunteer conference, many people will indicate interest to become volunteers but they are soon lost because they are neither tied to projects nor enrolled into a database for training.

(iii) Are there any factors that you consider may speed up or hinder the development of volunteering in Nigeria/Africa?

Like I said above, absence of volunteer infrastructures hinders the development of volunteering.  Furthermore, there is need for greater partnership between the government and the voluntary sector.  The voluntary sector provides a pool of manpower (skilled and unskilled) that the government can tap into to actualize its responsibilities to its citizens and ensure quality service delivery, especially regarding the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

(iv) Is there, in your opinion, anything your Government and the United Nations is doing/could do to support volunteering in your country/region.

IVD 2007 was celebrated in Nigeria as a joint programme of government of Nigeria (NNVS), UNV, IAVE and VSO.  It was an avenue to celebrate volunteers and their efforts and to encourage people to engage in volunteering.  It also provided a platform for volunteers and volunteer -involving organizations to network in areas of shared interests.  However, I strongly believe that there should be a better relationship between the government of Nigeria and the United Nations in supporting the development of volunteering.  For instance, UNV could partner with Nigerian government to support IAVE Nigeria to start a National Volunteer Center, commission new research in volunteering with a view to generate data that could be useful to the government for policy formulation e.t.c.

2. IYV+10
You are invited to suggest any ideas for marking the 10^th anniversary of IYV in 2011 from the perspective of your government, civil society, or other stakeholders, that will result in an enhanced environment for volunteering by all sectors of Nigerian/African society.

In 2001, Nigeria had an IYV Country Team that was disbanded shortly thereafter. It was evident that the team could not go far because of lack of experience and sincerity on the part of the leadership appointed by the government. Following that 2001 experience, I will suggest that volunteers be allowed to manage the IYV+10 country teams.  This will ensure transparency and effectiveness.

It is also suggested that efforts are made to reconstitute the country team in time for preparation to the IYV+10.

Vitalis Anopue
IAVE Board member for Africa
Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Abia State on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Humanitarian Affairs.