The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), in collaboration with Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), successfully convened the Intercommunal Transformative Dialogue to foster social cohesion and address systemic drivers of violence and criminality in Bayelsa and Delta States.
The dialogue sessions, held from January 22 to 28, 2025, took place in Warri South, Uvwie, and Sapele Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Delta State, as well as Nembe, Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw, and Brass LGAs in Bayelsa State. These sessions brought together key stakeholders, including youth and women leaders and community representatives. The goal was to create a secure platform for communities to discuss existing conflicts and tensions, identify common interests and shared challenges, and jointly develop sustainable mechanisms for peacebuilding and violence prevention.
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Tunji Idowu, PIND’s Executive Director at the dialogue session in Omadino Community in Warri South LGA, Dr David Udofia, Peacebuilding Project Manager of PIND, emphasized the initiative’s importance. “The Niger Delta faces complex socio-economic challenges that fuel conflict and criminality. Through these transformative dialogues, we aim to empower communities to engage in constructive dialogue and collaboratively identify sustainable solutions to these issues,” he stated.
Udofia further highlighted the role of inclusivity, stating, “Intercommunal dialogues rooted in inclusivity and respect for diverse opinions are critical to promoting joint solutions to communities’ challenges. They provide mechanisms for resolving conflicts and managing criminality and insecurity for the benefit of all.”
The dialogues, implemented across seven LGAs in Bayelsa and Delta States, focused on fostering collaboration among women and youth leaders and other community stakeholders. Participants explored opportunities for establishing early warning systems, managing disputes, and mitigating criminality, contributing to stronger social cohesion and improved relationships across dividing lines.
Significant outcomes of the sessions included strengthened collaboration among stakeholders to develop sustainable mechanisms for violence prevention and conflict management, as well as the identification and resolution of potential issues before escalation.
This initiative is part of the European Union’s (EU) broader project, “A Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta,” which seeks to foster inclusive community security approaches to address systemic drivers of violence and criminality in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States.
With a steadfast commitment to addressing the root causes of conflict and fostering sustainable development, PIND and its partners remain dedicated to promoting peacebuilding and social cohesion across the Niger Delta.
