Poverty reduction: NGO empowers 600,000 farmers, 10,000 households in FCT, 29 states

By Stanley Onyekwere

In furtherance to effort towards reducing poverty, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO),  Diamond Development Initiatives (DDI) has assisted over 600,000 farmers groups and cooperative societies, 8,000 off-grid energy connections to rural households and  2,000 connections businesses across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 29 states.

DDI revealed that such interventions were executed and  funded by different sources in unserved and underserved communities, over the last 20 years of its existence.

Executive Director of the Organisation, Mallam Adamu Garba, who spoke yesterday, at the commemoration of DDI’s 20th anniversary in Abuja, said also, it have been working with 60 off-grid energy entrepreneurs to provide off-grid energy solutions to households.

Garba, while x-raying the DDIs journey through several lenses including the past, highlighted what sparked the idea of DDI during the two decades ago.

“During the last two decades, we have executed these projects in 29 out of the 36 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“We work in partnership with the government  where possible especially where our objectives are same, in order to reduce poverty in different areas.

“Our focus in the poverty reduction effort is in the three areas of agriculture, off-grid energy and youth entrepreneurship”, he explained. 

Also, speaking, Special Adviser to the President on Nigerian Social Investment Programme (NSIP), Maryam Uwais, said the interventions by DDI was a very commendable effort, which shows that they creating partnerships and networking with the right people and organisations to ensure impact in the society.

Uwais, who disclosed that she was at the event under the directive of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, noted that the government wants to reduce poverty by 100 million people in 10 years, this kind of initiative really supports that effort. 

She said the Government is looking at various ways in which the private sector can support efforts, because it cannot be only one source of funding.

According to her, “It has to be us getting together to achieve a comprehensive and multi-dimensional objective of reducing poverty. And this includes the wellbeing of  Nigerians mental health issues, special needs, youths and women. 

“The fact that  DDI exist, we believe that there are  many more DDIs; they will support  effort of the government, as government cannot do it alone. To be able to achieve the target that the government has set for all of Nigeria”.

Earlier in her opening remarks: DDI’s Board Chairman, Dr. Lydia Umar, recalled that as a not-for-profit organisation, DDI was established in 2002 with a

mission to build a society that provides equitable opportunity for self-actualisation through economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

She expressed gratitude to DDI partners and funders who have been relentless in support of its development initiatives. 

She however, noted that “It is the time to double down on whatever we have done over the past few years, so that we can sustain what we have built and build on the foundations we have laid. This is just the beginning-the world is waiting for us for results.”