Highlights achievements, successes in 2023 yearly report
The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has highlighted key initiatives and interventions achieved in the Niger Delta to promote electrification across all sectors of the economy.
These were contained in its 2023 Annual Report released, themed “Advancing Frontiers for Greater Impact.”
Despite facing significant socioeconomic challenges, including rising inflation and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, PIND continued to surpass its goals in promoting peace and equitable economic growth in the Niger Delta.
In his annual message, PIND’s Executive Director, Tunji Idowu, emphasised the foundation’s resilience and adaptability.
He highlighted the foundation’s commitment to creative, people-centered approaches in partnership with various stakeholders to further its mission.
He said since its inception in 2010, PIND has evolved from a grant-giving entity to a pivotal resource and implementer of development programs.
Idowu said its focus remains on community-driven, research-backed initiatives aimed at fostering prosperity and peace in the Niger Delta.
Idowu gave a breakdown of key initiatives and interventions achieved in 2023 to include, market systems development project, which saw PIND collaborate with about 100 service providers to support over 49,000 farmers (46.35 per cent females), with cumulative investments by PIND-supported farmers and MSMEs exceeding N10 billion.
Others include the Health Electrification and Telecommunication Alliance (HETA) Project that facilitated the implementation of this USAID-led project to provide electricity to healthcare facilities. By the end of 2023, 12 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Bayelsa, Delta, and Ondo States benefitted.
Also is the Peacebuilding Efforts which strengthened peacebuilding structures, including Prevent Committees, Prevent Councils, Peace Champions, the conflict Early Warning-Early Response (EWER) system, and Peace Map.
Additionally, Peace Clubs were established in secondary schools and universities to promote peace education.
Idowu also highlighted the Youth Employment Pathways Project that saw the launch of the Business Start-up Challenge Fund for the second year, awarding N42 million in grants to 66 successful contestants to establish their businesses.
He also pointed out the Bridges Project which saw partnership with the Ford Foundation to support the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) component of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) through awareness creation and capacity building.
Also is the Agricultural Advocacy for increased access to arable land for smallholder farmers in Delta, Edo, and Ondo states, utilising GIS mapping to delineate substantial lands for agricultural purposes.
He also noted that PIND conducted an impact evaluation of its interventions over the past seven years to measure their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Idowu stressed that looking ahead, PIND plans to launch the Niger Delta Regional Peacebuilding Strategy (NDRPS) in partnership with the Ministry of Niger Delta Development in 2024.
He said this strategy will employ a multistakeholder approach to conflict management and resolution in the region.
