By Emmanuel Abi Couson
The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), the Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) and other stakeholders in the region have validated the Niger Delta Regional Peacebuilding Strategy (NDRPS).
PIND’s Executive Director, Tunji Idowu, said at the validation workshop held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, that the document, co-designed by PIND and the MNDD, will provide the framework for the implementation of a regional peace building apparatus in the Niger Delta.
Idowu was represented at the workshop by PIND’s Peace building Manager David Udofia.
According to him, “This apparatus will apply a multi stakeholder approach, where all stakeholders focused on peace building and conflict management and resolution in the Niger Delta will join resources to ensure the effective prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts in the region.”
Mr. Idowu noted that the validated NDRPS document had passed through due process and was very participatory.
“To ensure that the resulting strategy addresses conflict management holistically, we solicited inputs from various stakeholders at the community level, civil society organizations, government institutions, unions, and social groups,” he said.
“On January 23, 2024, PIND, the MNDD, representatives from various security agencies, academia, civil society and multinational organizations, traditional institutions, and other relevant stakeholders reviewed the final draft.”
The development of the NDRPS was based on a presidential directive to the MNDD in 2021 to guarantee an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in the Niger Delta, Mr. Idowu explained.
“The NDRPS highlights the importance of establishing an outfit that is not just security-focused but also serves the needs of the people through effective conflict prevention, resolution, and management through multi-stakeholder and inclusive approaches necessary for conflict resolution and management.”
The Minister of the MNDD, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Community Development, Gorah Ayuba Adams, in his remarks, commended the commitment of all the stakeholders involved in the process.
“Your inputs are not in vain as the finalized NDRPS framework will be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for approval and necessary action,” he said.
Participants at the validation workshop included representatives of security agencies, states’ Ministries of Planning and Budget, civil society organizations, academia and other stakeholders from across the nine Niger Delta states.
During the technical session, which also included breakout sessions, the stakeholders provided valuable input to update the NDRPS document.
The Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, Emmanuel Peter, emphasized promoting citizenship sensitization for inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence.
Dr. Emmanuel Maman, the Director of Conflict Resolution, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja, commended PIND and its partners for its peacebuilding efforts, congratulated them on organizing the validation workshop and proposed enhanced inter-agency collaboration as a panacea for conflict mitigation in the region.
Dr. Iboro Nelson of Silverline Development Initiatives noted that since youth unemployment was a major driver of conflict, a system of economic empowerment as a peacebuilding approach should be included in the document.
At the end of the validation process, PIND officially handed over the NDRPS document to the MNDD, marking a significant milestone in the process. The launching of the strategic document is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024.
