By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has underscored the critical role of community involvement in conflict resolution and crime prevention.
During a two-day training session on “Peace Building” held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, PIND highlighted the importance of empowering local communities and youth leaders in Obio/Akpor and Emohua Local Government Areas. The program, funded by the European Union (EU), aims to provide participants with strategic approaches to addressing communal unrest and oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Dr. David Udofia, the training program manager, stated, “The project, which adopts a community-centered approach to transforming criminality and violence in the region, will be implemented over 18 months in partnership with other stakeholders such as the Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Academic Associates Peace Works (AAPW), and Search for Common Ground.”
He further explained, “The project aims at fostering an inclusive approach to systematically address the drivers of violence and criminality in the target states. In Rivers, we have trained and equipped some Peace Ambassadors with the requisite knowledge on effective crime management and response, as well as a commitment to the security of lives and the collective protection of national assets.”
The training has so far been conducted in 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State, including Andoni, Emohua, Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor, Gokana, Khana, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Eleme, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, and Okrika. “At the end of the training, we will have successfully built and strengthened community leaders and volunteers across the 26 selected communities in the state,” Udofia added.
Participants of the program have expressed their gratitude to PIND and the EU for the training, vowing to apply their newfound knowledge within their communities. Mr. Amadi Chimezie from Rumuolumini community, Obio/Akpor LGA, emphasized the vital role of youths in fostering peace and curbing crime. “Engaging the youths in such training has broadened their perspective and will protect them from becoming susceptible to unpatriotic activities,” he said.
Mrs. Christianah Ajoku from Eneka community, Obio/Akpor, noted that the training introduced them to various collaborative measures for conflict resolution. She committed to involving other women in peace-building efforts at the community level.
