A Non-Governmental Organization, Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in Niger Delta (PIND) in an effort to strengthen conflict management and security in Ondo State brought together various Peace Actors and Security outfits to form a network that will periodically come together to brainstorm and come out with strategies that will that will foster peace in the state.
PIND Facilitator for Ondo State, Mrs. Stella Ikeokwu, during her welcome address shared the main goal of the meeting which was to ensure and improve coordination among individuals and organizations in the Niger Delta working on peace and security which translates to economic development.
She also informed that PIND has made a deliberate effort to ensure that this meeting comes up every quarter during which time their output will be incorporated into member organizations’ programming which will create a platform for others to access information on opportunities that can support peace building in the state.
The theme of the meeting, ” Promoting Coordination Among Stakeholders Working on Peace, Security and Development in The Niger Delta” was further highlighted after a presentation on Mainstreaming Conflict Sensitivity.
The facilitator stirred the wheel in the direction of the participants who were moved at this point to share experiences on what their individual organizations and security outfits have been doing and challenges they also encounter. Possible solutions to the problems were also proffered.
One of the participants, ACP J. Agwoye, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, in his response appreciated PIND for the initiative taken and promised that the NPF as always is open to innovative strategies aimed at achieving peace and security.
The Chairman Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Ondo State, Mr. Franklin Oloniju in a commitment statement made said that he will ensure that CSOs in the state have peace components entrenched in their program activities and share with the network moving forward.
The National Coordinator Partners for Peace in the Niger-Delta, High Chief Pius Akomolafe in his reaction, applauded PIND for always seeking out dynamic ways to maintain peace in the Niger Delta states.
He informed that the essence of the meeting which is to institutionalize a structure coordinating peace and security mechanisms in the state to mitigate conflicts in the region.
A step in the right direction was taken as NDPSN members chose to nominate some members as executives that will pilot the activities of the network with the Assistant Commissioner of Police as the Chairperson of the Network.