The Niger Delta Peace and Security Network (NDPSN) is a group of stakeholders in the civil society with the goal of advocating for conflict resolution and mitigation in the Niger Delta. The NDPSN is organized by Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND Foundation). The first quarter meeting of the NDPSN which took place on the 31st day of March, 2023 at PIND Foundation was focused on enlightening stakeholders on the conflict trends and dynamics in the Niger Delta, peer learning and updates from stakeholders on programs, initiatives and interventions since the last meeting, training on Conflict Sensitivity and Stakeholder Relationship Management; and advocacy activity plan.
Mr. Chukwudi Njoku, the Capacity Building Coordinator for PIND Foundation shared data of conflict tracking and interventions of PIND Foundation in peace building in the Niger Delta region. The NDSPN meeting gave stakeholders the opportunity to share success stories, plans, inteventions with one another and in so doing, leverage on one another in taking steps in mitigating conflict and peace building in the Niger Delta region. The first quarter meeting was facilitated by Mr. Amos Oluwatosin, the Research Director of Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFP).
Mr. Franklin Nelson, the Executive Director of Community Resource Development Foundation (CREDEF) facilitated the session on Conflict Sensitivity and Stakeholder Relationship Management. Conflict Sensitivity is seen as a deliberate systematic practice that ensures that our processes and actions mimimize negative and maximize positive effects within a given context based on the awareness about the interaction between the said processes and actions nad the particular context. The goal of conflict sensitivity is to ensure that the risks of unintentionally fueling conflict are identified and mitigated, and that opportunities to maximize contributions toward peace are pursued.
The facilitator, Franklin Nelson urged stakeholders to do a conflict analysis, recognize the interaction between engagements and the context; and upon understanding modify activities to avoid negative impacts and maximize positive impacts. Conflict management is based on the participation of the people who are involved in the conflict – the stakeholders. The facilitator also shared key steps in Stakeholder Relationship Management, some include:
a. Identification of stakeholders
b. Stakeholder mapping
c. Learn about stakeholders
d. Plan with your team on how on strategically proceed
e. Report on your stakeholder information.
It is also important to recognize diversity and engage multiple stakeholders, this help builds legitimacy, generates innovative solutions, enhance transparency, promote achievement of complementary goals; and enhance social equity.
The first quarter meeting of Niger Delta Peace and Security Network (NDPSN) came to a close with attendees developing an advocacy activity plan. The group plans to have advocacy visits to some government agencies to seek partnerships in mitigating conflict and improve peace building in the Niger Delta region.
