The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) welcomed a European Union Delegation on a four-day donor mission across Bayelsa and Rivers States from September 15–18, 2025. The visit spotlighted how community-driven solutions are transforming conflict-prone areas into places of peace and opportunity.
Led by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, the delegation engaged with state governments, traditional rulers, community development groups, and grassroots stakeholders to see firsthand the progress of the EU-funded project, “A Community- Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta.” The initiative is jointly implemented by Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), and PIND.Enhancing Local Solutions for Greater Impact
From community-led infrastructure in Otuasega to EU-supported livelihood projects in Bundu Ama, the mission underscored PIND’s commitment to building partnerships that address systemic challenges. The delegation met with Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who reaffirmed the government's commitment to sustaining peace in alignment with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. Traditional rulers in Yenagoa and Kolokuma also lent cultural and governance support for ongoing reforms.Shared Commitment to Inclusive Development
PIND’s Executive Director, Mr. Sam Ogbemi Daibo, emphasized the broader significance of the EU’s visit: “What the EU observed is more than just a project; it is a model for sustainable transformation. Together, we are tackling insecurity, creating opportunities, and empowering marginalized groups by building community-owned structures that endure long after donor interventions.”
Governor Douye Diri praised the EU and partners for their investments in peace and development, while pledging Bayelsa’s continued support: “The EU has invested heavily in advancing peace and development in Bayelsa and across the Niger Delta. My administration is committed to working with the EU, PIND, and partners to ensure these efforts are rooted in grassroots realities while unlocking opportunities for youth, women, and the blue economy.”Creating Pathways to Inclusive Growth
The EU mission highlighted how PIND’s peacebuilding approaches are creating the enabling environment for development. Communities are now experiencing:
● Poverty reduction through more stable livelihoods.
● Clean energy access via off-grid solar solutions in coastal areas.
● Youth employment through vocational training and entrepreneurship.
● Gender equality gains by actively involving women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
● Stronger governance systems sustaining peace independently of external funding.Scaling What Works
The delegation’s engagements validated PIND’s model—particularly the Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) system, as a scalable framework for peace and development in the Niger Delta and beyond. By linking peacebuilding with economic empowerment and governance reform, PIND and its partners are laying the foundation for long-term stability.
This mission reaffirmed donor confidence while amplifying PIND’s role as a catalyst for systemic change. It reinforced PIND’s vision of a Niger Delta where peace and prosperity are community- owned, resilient, and sustainable.
