By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos
Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, and the Ara Growth & Development Foundation (AGDF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on grassroots development in the southwestern region.
Under the terms, the collaborators are to implement the Community-Led Development Toolkit (COLDET) project, marking a significant milestone in grassroots development initiatives in the Southwest, according to a joint statement.
The ceremony, held at DAWN Commission’s office in Ibadan, Oyo State, was attended by the traditional ruler of Ara Kingdom, Oba Olubayo Windapo, the Alara of who led the AGDF delegation. He is also the convener of the AGDF initiative.
The statement explained that the COLDET project aims to revolutionise community development and Ara town will serve as the pilot field for this innovative toolkit, which is designed to empower township associations to take ownership of their development trajectory.
Chairman of the AGDF Steering Committee, Dr Tunji Olugbodi, was quoted as saying: “The AGDF has established an ARA2035 Agenda to transform our ancient community. This coincides perfectly with DAWN’s COLDET project, making it an ideal collaboration.
“Together, we will demonstrate how communities can lead their own development with the right tools and support.”
This initiative embodies our commitment to sustainable regional development. By empowering communities to identify their unique assets and opportunities, we are building capacity for long-term self-reliance.
The Director-General of DAWN Commission, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, noted that “This initiative embodies our commitment to sustainable regional development. By empowering communities to identify their unique assets and opportunities, we are building capacity for long-term self-reliance.
“What makes COLDET different is its structured approach to community engagement and its focus on evidence-based prioritisation.”
“This partnership represents a fundamental shift in how we approach community development by transitioning from traditional top-down approaches to a more sustainable bottom-up model,” said Segun Balogun, COLDET Project Lead.
“COLDET will empower local stakeholders to systematically identify assets, prioritise needs, and implement sustainable projects.”
The project will implement an integrated framework approach, combining systems Practice with other frameworks to provide communities with comprehensive tools for self-assessment and development planning.
The four-month pilot programme will include comprehensive community mapping, resource assessment, stakeholder engagement, and the development of strategic frameworks. The lessons learned from Ara will inform the toolkit’s refinement before expansion to other communities across Southwest Nigeria.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in changing Nigeria’s development model, addressing the long-standing challenge of misaligned priorities and unsustainable outcomes in community development projects.
