The Collaboration between the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission and the Ara Growth and Development Foundation has resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to carry out the Community-Led Development Toolkit project.
This partnership was formalized at an event held at the DAWN Commission’s office in Ibadan, graced by the presence of the Alara of Ara Kingdom, Oba Olubayo Windapo, Abidogun 1, who led the AGDF delegation.
As outlined in a statement, the primary goal of the COLDET project is to revolutionize community development.
During the event, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, the Chairman of the AGDF Steering Committee, expressed that the ARA2035 agenda would bring about a positive transformation in the historic community.
Olugbodi highlighted the synergy between the ARA2035 agenda and DAWN’s COLDET project, emphasizing the potential for fruitful cooperation.
He stated, “Collaboratively, we will showcase how communities can drive their development with appropriate tools and assistance.”
Similarly, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, the Director-General of the DAWN Commission, commended the initiative for reflecting the foundation’s dedication to sustainable regional progress.
He remarked, “By empowering communities to identify their unique strengths and opportunities, we are fostering the ability for sustainable self-reliance. What sets COLDET apart is its methodical community involvement and its emphasis on prioritization based on evidence.”
Additionally, Segun Balogun, the COLDET Project Lead, highlighted that the collaboration between DAWN and AGDF signifies a significant transition in community development, shifting from conventional top-down approaches to a more enduring bottom-up strategy.