NGO Targets Services At Neglected Nigerian Communities

A non-governmental organisation, Diamond Development Initiatives (DDI) has reiterated its commitments to providing essential development services to the unserved and undeserved communities in Nigeria.

The executive director of DDI, Mr Adamu Garba, disclosed this at an event organised to mark the organisation’s 20th anniversary yesterday in Abuja, saying DDI in its bid to reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty in the country had assisted over 600,000 farmers groups and cooperative societies, over 8,000 off-grid energy connections to rural households and connections for no fewer than 2,000 businesses in the country, funded by different sources in different part of the country.

According to him, the group 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.

“However, as a development service provider, we complement development agencies, donors, and funding organisations by providing technical support in designing, planning and implementing various development initiatives across several sectors targeting unserved and underserved populations at the grassroots,” he added.

“We also have been working with 60 off-grid energy entrepreneurs to provide off-grid energy solutions to households. So we have executed the projects in 29 out of the 36 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“We are celebrating 20 years of providing development services to unserved, and underserved communities in Nigeria.

“We are celebrating 20 years of impact. We are celebrating 20 years of building partnerships to amplify grassroots voices across Nigeria.

“We are celebrating 20-year complementing the roles of development agencies, donors, and other funding organisations through the delivery of quality projects that meet prescribed requirements and high-level accountability.”

Also, the chairperson, Board of Trustees of the organisation, Dr Lydia Umar, said the organisation would continue to provide developmental assistance in the country, saying DDI was working relentlessly in the poverty reduction effort in three areas of agriculture, off-grid energy and youth entrepreneurship.

She, however, commended DDI’s partners for their journey for the past two decades.

Commending the organisation, the vice-president, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, represented by Hajia Maryam Uwais, said the organisation had been of immense support in reducing the rate of poverty in the country.