Promoting Partnering in the Niger Delta (June 2003-July 2006)

The Karu model was applied in MacArthur Foundation/NDDC/Rivers State Government sponsored project on Promoting Partnering in the Niger Delta.  Projects in Etche, Khana and Degema Local Government in Rivers State, Gbarain/Ekpetiama in Bayelsa, and Warri South in Delta State brought together all stakeholders in the local governments, firstly in Stakeholders Forums, followed by informational seminars and policy dialogues.  The five field offices, located in the Local Government Secretariats, also acted as Information and Coordination Centres.  After conducting Needs Assessments in all of the communities, our staff linked local leaders to potential development partners such as government agencies, the NDDC, oil companies and foreign donors.

These experiences, in addition to that gained by working with the NOIC Technical Training Programmes in Warri, Lagos and Kano and the UNDP skills centre in Karu, have led to a strong belief in the necessity of training the whole person. This means not only providing specific technical skills, but also working on life skills, such as basic English and mathematics; practical business skills; personality development; positive mindset change; career counselling and mentoring; peacebuilding; teambuilding; and healthy living (including HIV/AIDS awareness).