The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) has commenced capacity-building sessions for oil and gas-producing host communities in the Niger Delta and in the southeast geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
The activities designed to be held at two locations, Awka the Anambra State capital, and Uyo Akwa Ibom State will have leaders of host communities in all the littoral States in attendance.
A release by the Programme Coordinator of the Centre, Mr Vincent Dania stated that five States including Ondo, Delta, Imo, Abia, and Anambra States shall have their session in Awka. The other States; Bayelsa, Edo, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa-Ibom will have theirs in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State capital.
The sessions in each of the locations will dwell on the relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Host Communities Development Regulations 2022. A module on Strategic Leadership Skills for Community Development will also be treated.
The objectives of the two-day capacity building are to; Equip leaders of oil and gas-producing host communities in the Niger Delta with a comprehensive understanding of the Host Communities Provision in the PIA; Empower leaders with strategic leadership skills to mobilize stakeholders and effectively engage with International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other relevant stakeholders; Enhance the capacity of leaders to facilitate inclusive and sustainable development in their communities through effective leadership and stakeholder engagement; and to Foster collaboration and partnership among leaders, IOCs, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the Host Communities Provision in the PIA.
Participants will include a combination of women leaders, youth leaders, traditional leaders, and members of host communities incorporated trustees. Adult learning methodology and Socratic direction shall be deployed in all the sessions.
Adult learning methodology acknowledges that adults learn differently than children and focuses on self-directed, experiential, and problem-solving approaches. It values adults’ experiences and knowledge and uses techniques like workshops, case studies, and coaching to promote effective learning. Socratic direction is a teaching method that uses questioning to encourage critical thinking, expose assumptions, and foster wisdom, guiding learners to discover their insights and understanding.
The sessions prior activities included courtesy visits to commissioners in charge of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, key leaders of the oil and gas-producing host communities, investors, and civil society actors.
The capacity-building sessions are part of Centre LSD’s implementation of its “Strengthening an Intersectional Approach to Natural Resource Governance in Nigeria” project, aimed at improving the legal and institutional framework of the extractive sector in Nigeria to enhance the living standards of women and other marginalized groups in host communities.
The statement called on other well-meaning leaders and individuals from host communities who may not be present on-site to join the sessions using Centre LSD social media handles @centrelsd
