Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) are in the good books as they get commendation from the federal government for alleviating poverty by providing support for emerging businesses through renewable energy and agro allied businesses.
The Special Adviser to the President on Nigerian Social Investment Programme (NSIP), Mrs Maryam Uwais commended them in Abuja during the commemoration of 20th anniversary of DDI.
Mrs. Uwais, who represented the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo at the occasion, said DDI has created partnerships and networks with the right people and organisations to create initiatives that had a great impact on a lot of poor communities.
She said the initiatives have brought about businesses that are linking businesses to markets and scrutinising grants management.
“It shows that they actually have it right – creating partnerships and networking with the right people and organisations to ensure impact. And government has certain aspirations including the fact that we want to reduce poverty by 100 million people in 10 years. And this kind of initiative really supports that effort. Efforts like that of the DDI show it can be done in small spaces, so we are very encouraged by what we have seen,” Uwais said.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, DDI, Mallam Adamu Garba, said in the past 20 years, DDI had assisted over 600,000 farmers, groups and cooperative societies.
