To strengthen peacebuilding efforts in the Niger Delta, the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has expanded its Prevent Council infrastructure to Edo, Ondo, and Abia States.
Launched in 2022, this initiative entered a new phase on February 7, 2025, building on previous successes in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Delta States, where 92 council members were trained and inaugurated as at 2024. With this latest expansion, 60 new members have been inducted, equipping more communities with essential conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution skills to foster lasting peace.
Strengthening Local Leadership in Peacebuilding
The Prevent Councils, comprising traditional rulers, community leaders, youth representatives, security agencies at grassroots levels, serve as frontline responders in resolving land and boundary disputes, easing communal tensions, and promoting dialogue.
Speaking at the Edo State inauguration on behalf of PIND’s Executive Director, Mr. Tunji Idowu, Dr. David Udofia, PIND’s Peacebuilding Program Manager, highlighted the initiative’s impact: “Building sustainable peace starts with empowering those closest to the challenges. By equipping community leaders with conflict management skills, we are reinforcing local resilience and strengthening community institutions for long-term stability in the region.”
The structured training provided participants with practical tools for dispute mediation, conflict prevention, and community engagement. Specialized sessions highlighted the role of traditional rulers in peacebuilding, alternative dispute resolution, and early warning and early response mechanisms.
Key Outcomes of the Training
The training enhanced the capacity of the newly inaugurated Prevent Council members to:
- Identify early warning signs of conflict and respond effectively.
- Facilitate conflict sensitive interventions in conflict-prone areas.
- Engage relevant stakeholders and advocate for sustainable peace initiatives.
- Align grassroots peacebuilding efforts with state-level conflict management structures.
A Commitment to Lasting Peace and Development
PIND remains dedicated to fostering community-led peacebuilding and regional security. With the expansion into Edo, Ondo, and Abia States, PIND has now established Prevent Councils in six states, with a long-term vision to extend the initiative across all nine Niger Delta states.
By investing in community-driven conflict resolution mechanisms, PIND continues to foster sustainable peace, development and stability across the region.
