PIND Foundation promotes peace in Niger Delta communities with arts, cultural events

The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has organised an inter-communal solidarity event to promote peace in Bayelsa and Delta states.

The weeklong series was funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and held between August 18 and 23.

The initiative, which reached more than 2,200 people across 10 communities in the two states, was designed to create spaces for dialogue in areas affected by oil bunkering, artisanal refining and cult-related violence.

David Udofia, PIND’s peacebuilding manager, said the project seeks to “utilise art and culture as unifiers and peacebuilding tools to address violence and criminality in Bayelsa and Delta communities.

Udofia, who spoke on behalf of Sam Daibo, executive director of PIND, noted that the event also targeted deeper issues such as unemployment, exclusion and environmental degradation that often fuel unrest in the Niger Delta region.

“These approaches have proven effective in building trust, especially for women, youth, and other groups that are often excluded,” he said, adding that this year’s edition was designed to deepen the impact of earlier activities.

He added that the initiative is part of the PIND foundation’s community-centred approach to the transforming criminality and violence project, designed to strengthen trust among diverse groups, particularly women and youth who are often excluded from peace processes.

Sunday Ikpoki, chairman of the Odioma kingdom council of chiefs, described the event as “timely and thoughtful”.

He noted that locals are now more aware of what happens in their communities.

“Using our cultural heritage to preach peace is a very thoughtful initiative,” he said.

“We are now more conscious of what happens in our communities and are working with security agents to stop anything that could lead to conflict.”

Activities at the event include music, drama, dance and symbolic unity ceremonies aimed at fostering reconciliation and encouraging dialogue platforms as alternatives to conflict.