The Founder:
Felicia A. Iheaka serves as IYNP’s Chief Executive officer. Before inception of the organization, her career started as a civil servant in the media industry, specifically at Imo State Broadcasting Corporation, a state-owned radio and television establishment in Nigeria. She rose through the ranks to where she retired as the Director General of the Organization. In this position, she interacted with the community and gained knowledge of their needs. She also understood the needs of the organization.
The Organization:
Imo Youth Network Programme(IYNP) strives to reach both rural and urban youth, women and many vulnerable groups. The various initiatives implemented are aimed to address socio-political and economic challenges. In 2019 for instance, the organization conducted advocacy visits to community leaders, youth leaders and school authorities, in select areas of Imo and environs. IYNP members had earlier decided to celebrate the 25th year of its establishment. Thus, it became necessary to carry out follow-up actions and plans for future programs. The plans included activities on environmental preservation/conservation and solar energy generating projects- in Imo communities and surrounding environments.
The five- day commemoration events of IYNP 25th year, involved visits to more than the five pilot project schools. Teachers, Principals, students and parents of the said schools held meetings, which eventually, ended with a One-day Anniversary Conference, held on 25th of October 2019. Theme of the conference was ‘Rights of the Youth to Enhanced Development and Quality Living’. Participants eagerly discussed issues that affect the health, human rights and future of young people, in Imo communities. At the end of the event, all agreed the commemorative events should be held annually.
IYNP commenced the year 2020 with plans on innovative programs, for both the present and future. It was in the mist of eventual take-off of program activities that Covid-19 pandemic struck. The Corona Virus proved to be one of the most devastating health challenges that impacted dangerously, on every fabric of the entire human race and even more. Scientists had estimated that the entire world will continue to feel the unprecedented effects of covid-19, many years to come. Practically, every community in the world experienced the ‘Lock-In’ effect of the virus: a situation which emboldened many already existing socio- economic and health issues. Women, youth and the physically challenged are among the most vulnerable groups, severely affected by the corona virus. The organization visited some rural communities in Imo state; It provided assistance to widows, the unemployed and the elderly- these included palliatives in food commodities, cash for medicaments and for other compelling expenses. Members of IYNP visited many communities and equipped them with skills on social distancing, sanitizing/ washing of hands and usage of masks- to prevent contracting Covid-19. Members of the communities were also informed/ reminded that since health facilities are limited, few and ill-equipped, people should strictly, adhere to social distancing always- because should the pandemic get a firm hold on the impoverished communities, it would be very difficult to contain, and many lives could be lost.
IYNP has continued to collaborate/ work with organizations that are interested in addressing maternal/child health and child development/rights challenges. Some of the activities include:
- Information sharing and sensitization of care providers in clinics and maternity homes, enlightenment of mothers-to-be and new moms on childhood ailments, including need for innoculation against childhood diseases.
- Visits to orphanages/motherless baby’s homes- to interact with care givers, offer capacity building, on ensuring adequate care and healthy development of the orphans.
- Youth volunteers offering clean-up of environments surrounding the homes.
- Donation of toys, nutrients/foods, cloths, shoes and financial assistance to the motherless homes.
Imo Youth Network Programme equally implements what we term Brave Initiative; This entails activities targeted for orphans, the physically challenged, impoverished widows and other identified vulnerable individuals in Imo State and environs. The Brave Initiative aims to empower the target groups with gifts and smiles on their faces and a sense of belonging. The said initiative is conducted as the needs arise, and more especially, during Christmas, Easter and other festive periods.