The International Caribbean Women Alliance for Empowerment (ICWAE), in collaboration with the Community Participation and Empowerment for Sustainable Development (COPESA), has launched its 2026 global advocacy initiative with simultaneous events held across three states in Nigeria.
The launch was hosted at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Secretariat in Nasarawa State, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Otuocha, Anambra State, and Ilẹra Lọ́rọ̀ Event Hall in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The initiative marked the official launch of a five-year blueprint (2026–2030) to localise the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for African and Afro-Caribbean communities.
The programme focuses on implementing practical interventions targeted at mothers, widows, children, and persons living with disabilities.
The organisers said the initiative is designed to promote grassroots participation in development, encourage household-level engagement with global goals, and advocate gender-based empowerment opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The multi-location event was connected through live virtual coverage, enabling global participation. It was coordinated and moderated by Attorney Yveline Dalmacy, President and Founder of ICWAE (USA), who delivered a keynote session on the SDGs, gender rights, and the importance of community-driven development.
Other key participants included Dr Jean Paleme Mathurin, Co-Founder of ICWAE, and Dr Irene Figaro, the organisation’s Board Secretary.
The Nigerian segment of the global launch was anchored by Ambassador Olufemi J.S. Oladejo, a co-signatory to the ICWAE-COPESA 2026–2030 blueprint. The event attracted over 2,000 participants, including women from the community, widows, and persons living with disabilities.
Several non-governmental organisations and stakeholders also participated, including Unity Rise Foundation for Youths and Widows Empowerment Initiatives, Omo Ekiti Ni Mi Foundation, Foundation for Excellent Living and Development for Youths and Women (FELAD), Ayoideraoluwa Charity Foundation, Islami Relief Foundation, 6Keys Tabitha Wellness Foundation, and Islam is Good Foundation.
Notable attendees included Hajia Halima Hudu Abubakar, State Coordinator of FIDA International in Nasarawa State; Mr Itrus Bitrus, NYSC SDGs Officer in Nasarawa State; and Mr Olatunji Amondi, Senior Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor on Investment and Commerce.
The organisers also acknowledged Prof. Doreen Z. Yusuf, Canadian Country Representative and member of the Global Advisory Council for the World Sustainable Development Goals Organisations (WSDGOs) International, for her contribution as an international discussant and guest speaker.
