By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Delta
ActionAid Nigeria has announced the successful completion of its Local Rights Programme (LRP) in 13 communities across Ughelli South, Ughelli North, and Ndokwa East local government areas of Delta State, and unveiled plans to expand its intervention to the Isoko North and Isoko South LGAs.
The announcement was made during a well-attended ceremony held on Thursday at Wetland Hotel in Ughelli to celebrate ActionAid’s 18 years of impactful grassroots development in the state. The event brought together farmers, civil society organizations, government officials, community leaders, and project beneficiaries.
Delivering her welcome address, the Deputy Country Director and Director of Programme and Policy for ActionAid Nigeria, Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo, expressed deep appreciation for the partnerships that have sustained the organization’s work in Delta State over the years.
“Women of Delta State, indeed, with you and your support, we have made it on a journey from one to 17 years, and this is the 18th year,” Dankabo said. “On behalf of the Country Director, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, board members, and the General Assembly of ActionAid Nigeria, we want to say a big thank you to the women, children, CSOs, and the government of Delta State for being part of this journey.”
She noted that Delta was not among the states initially selected for intervention due to its relatively high GDP.
“We usually work in low-GDP states, but we realized that despite Delta’s wealth, poverty still thrived in many communities. The dividends of democracy were not reaching the people. So, ActionAid decided to demonstrate the reality of poverty in the midst of plenty,” she explained.
Dankabo highlighted that through the Partnership Against Poverty initiative, ActionAid helped close the gap between government and rural communities by empowering women and youth in the targeted LGAs.
“We worked with communities to unveil and analyze the root causes of poverty and designed collective solutions, drawing power from within and engaging the government. We also established the Delta State Economic and Budget Literacy platform to help communities understand budgeting and influence decisions,” she added.
She commended Environmental and Rural Mediation Centre (ENVIRUMEDIC), the implementing partner in Delta, for mobilizing communities and laying the foundation for long-term sustainability. She further disclosed that the next phase of ActionAid’s work will focus on Isoko North and South, in partnership with a new implementing partner.
Executive Director/CEO of ENVIRUMEDIC, Chief Monday Oghenerona Idegho, reflecting on the 15-year partnership with ActionAid, said it significantly transformed his work and approach.
“My 15-year journey with ActionAid shifted my focus from activism alone to development work. It empowered me with skills in human rights-based approaches, policy influence, and community modeling. As a traditional chief, it made me a gender equality advocate. I now work with stakeholders to deliver gender-responsive services and influence policies,” Idegho stated.
A powerful testimonial was given by Mrs. Grace Osadjoku, a 54-year-old small-scale women farmers’ leader from Emonu-Orogun in Ughelli North, who recounted how ActionAid helped organize women into cooperatives and build their agricultural capacity.
“They taught us about cooperatives and helped us access government support. We tested our soils, received farming inputs, and were trained on crops like cassava, yam, onions, and watermelon,” she said.
Mrs. Osadjoku emphasized how the program changed her perspective on farming.
“The capacity building helped me realize that farmers are not poor people, only limited by lack of knowledge. Now, we farm for both home and commercial purposes. My husband respects my farming now. I hire workers, and we keep farm records. We advocate for our rights and have direct relationships with government officials,” she added.
She also shared how their cooperative rebounded after losing out on a donor opportunity.
“We gathered ourselves again and started afresh. We now write to donors, manage our farms better, and empower more women. In my community alone, 20 women are thriving through the cooperative,” she stated.
In a touching moment, Obotere Ufuoma, an SS1 student from Esaba Secondary School in Ughelli South, offered her appreciation to the organization.
“Before, I didn’t dress well, but now I do. I take care of myself, read well, take care of my siblings. God should bless everyone who helped us,” she said.
In her closing remarks, Dankabo reiterated ActionAid’s commitment to building a more connected and inclusive Delta State.
“We’re not abandoning the old communities. We’ll continue learning, connecting voices, and advocating together. On behalf of Dr. Andrew Mamedu, I thank everyone and congratulate us all on this successful journey. Let’s put our hands together for the communities and the children!”