PIND Program Director Dr. Dara Akala (center) and Field Projects Manager Sly Okoh (center right) represent PIND at the signing of a partnership agreement with Ondo State Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), represented by the Agency’s Chairperson Bolanle Olafunmiloye.

On December 22nd, 2015, the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) signed a partnership agreement with Ondo State Wealth Creation Agency (WECA) on a pilot project to develop the agricultural entrepreneurship skills of young graduates through cultivation and processing of cassava.

PIND Program Director Dr. Dara Akala and Ondo State WECA Chairperson Bolanle Olafunmiloye sign the paperwork

With funding provided by Star Deepwater Petroleum Company Ltd, a subsidiary of Chevron Nigeria Ltd, this project will benefit 40 youths from 18 different local government areas in Ondo State at this pilot stage. PIND will facilitate implementation and market linkages, while WECA will provide technical support. Ondo State Government will provide the land to be used and extension services.

Dr. Akala addresses media houses present at the signing of the partnership agreement

This partnership – between civil society, government and a private company – leverages on each of these organization’s strengths. PIND hopes to leverage each of these relationships to ensure the program’s success in stimulating local economic growth and employment of the state’s youth population.

This collaboration is expected to run for the period of the project from the design phase to the final execution/completion of the project, which is expected to take one full cycle of cassava production and subject to renewal on terms to be agreed by relevant parties.