By Jimmy Jackson
The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has reiterated the organization’s commitment to promoting peacebuilding in the region.
Tunji Idowu, the executive director of the foundation made this know in Calabar, Cross River State, during a two-day capacity building training for members of the foundation’s prevent councils.
Represented by Chukwudi Njoku, a training coordinator at PIND, Idowu said the capacity-strengthening workshop aimed at enhancing peacebuilding efforts across the Niger Delta region.
He added that the training was organised to address conflict dynamics and enhance conflict resolution strategies.
Members of the prevent councils are traditional rulers drawn from different communities in the state with the responsibility of preventing conflicts and ensuring peaceful resolution of disagreement in their respective kingdoms.
Idowu said the foundation has been contributing to the transformation of the landscape for sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta region since 2010 when it was established.
“Within the period, over 919,500 farmers and SMEs have been reached with information on agricultural and business best practices; improved Knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of over 457,729 farmers and SMEs that stirred improved productivity and additional income of over NGN 51.4 billion; more than 64,985 new jobs facilitated in agriculture, building construction, and ICT sectors in the Niger Delta,” he added.
He noted that the foundation has strengthened the capacity of over 11,000 peace actors under its peacebuilding programme to tackle conflicts.
“In 2023 and 2024 alone, over 2000 conflicts have been mitigated by the peace actors, contributing immensely to stabilizing the region for sustainable economic growth and development,” Idowu said.
Speaking on the prevent councils, the PIND’s executive director said the foundation has inaugurated the councils in Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Delta states.
“In September, we are also going to inaugurate prevent councils in Abia, Edo and Ondo states,” he noted.
Solomon Edward, the chairman of Cross River traditional rulers Council, commended the PIND foundation for its efforts at fostering and promoting peace in the Niger Delta region.
“There is nothing as important as peace. If you don’t want peace in whatever you are doing then you won’t succeed,” the traditional ruler said.
The highlight of the event was the induction of new members into the council by the Cross River Traditional Rulers Council.
