The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND)has trained 374 Niger Delta youthsin Warri and Asaba, Delta State on peacebuilding with a focus on volunteerism, conflict management and PIND’s SMS-based early warning reporting system.
The training, whichtook place in Warri from February 21 to 22, and in Asaba from February 24 to 25, aimed to make the youth understand the connection between peacebuilding and economic development, recognize conflict causes, acquire basic skills on how to respond to conflicts to prevent escalation and negative impacts on relationships and businesses, as well as develop skills in being sensitive to issues with respect to cultures, environment and businesses. The participants – 270 in Warriand 104 in Asaba– were also trained on how to become peace monitors by sending conflict reports to PIND’s SMS-based early warning reporting system, which is a unique and robust grassroots-based system.
Giving their feedback on the training, participantsdeemed it meaningful and impactful.
The youth were part of the 597 participants in PIND’s Delta Youth Employment Program (DYEP). The program which started in September 2021 aimed at fostering youth employment in the Niger Delta by enhancingtheir employability and boosting their capacity for entrepreneurship thereby advancing the SDG 8. Participants were trained in seventeen vocations within four sectors: information communication technology (ICT), building construction, agriculture andservices. The vocations included digital marketing, computer hardware repairs and networking, carpentry & woodwork, footwear & bag making, and solar panel installation. Also, poultry, aquaculture, and snail farming.
On the peacebuilding training, one of the DYEP participants, Joy Oyowor, said she was grateful for the techniques on conflict management. “Already, the DYEP training which I’m receiving on the art and business of dressmaking has exposed me to more intricate aspects of tailoring that I’m certain will up my game in the fashion industry. I believe the added peacebuilding training especially on conflict management will be very useful in my interactions with not just customers but society at large.”
Another DYEP participant, OlajumokeMotunrayo,a trainee in aquaculture at Aqua Green in Warri,saidthe peacebuilding training was enlightening and had increased her interest in volunteeringto resolve conflicts in her community. “I have gained knowledge on PIND’s early warning reporting system and I’m excited to become a peace actor in my community,” she said.
Pre and post-training assessments showed 84% of the participantsnow have increased interest in participating in peacebuilding processes in their communities. A total of 78% also believe they now have a better attitude towards reactingto conflicts based on the peacebuilding training, while 65% are convinced they will leverage the skills gained at the training to intervene in conflict issues in their businesses and communities.
PIND Foundation is committed to changing the distorted notion that young people are a threat to peace and security in the Niger Delta bycontinually expanding its network of young peace actors in the region while empowering them with skills that increase their economic viability. The goal is to ensurea significant percentage of youth will not engage in violencebut work tirelesslyto prevent conflict and sustain peace in their communities.
