Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development International

03/06/2026

OUR FESTIVAL UNITES US, NOT SEPARATES US!

EVERY WOMAN MATTERS, RESPECT HER RIGHTS!

QUALITY MEN PROTECT, NOT HARASS WOMEN!

Peaceful Procession & Sensitization Rally on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention.

Tuesday June 2nd 2026.
Ozoro, Delta State.

The Priests Assembly Peace and Social Justice Initiative (PPJ), Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development International international(NDWPD), and the Male Feminist Network (MFN) join hands with community leaders, stakeholders, women, youths, and development partners in Ozoro, Delta State, to raise awareness and strengthen action against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

This sensitization rally is part of ongoing efforts to promote safer communities, protect the rights of women and girls, and encourage collective responsibility in preventing violence and harmful practices. Through dialogue, advocacy, and community engagement, we can build a society where dignity, equality, and justice thrive.

Together, we can break the silence, challenge harmful norms, and create lasting change for future generations.

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

CULTURE MUST PROTECT, NOT HARM: OZORO UNITES FOR COMMUNITY COHESION, DIGNITY, AND THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS

Issued During the Peaceful Community Procession

Ozoro Kingdom, Delta State

Tuesday, 2nd June 2026

The Priests Assembly Peace and Social Justice Initiative (PPJ), in collaboration with the Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development International (NDWPD) and the Male Feminists Network (MFN), is honored to join the people of Ozoro today in this peaceful community procession for unity, dignity, justice, and the protection of women and girls.

This procession is part of the Rapid Response and Norm Transformation Initiative to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Cultural Spaces in Delta State, Nigeria, supported under the Renewed Women's Voice and Leadership-Nigeria Project Strategic Opportunity Funding, with support from ActionAid Nigeria and Global Affairs Canada.

We especially recognize and appreciate the leadership of His Royal Majesty, HRM (Barr.) Anthony Uvietobore Ogbogbo, JP, Ibuka I and the Executive Chairman, Isoko North Local Government Council, Hon. Deacon Godwin Ogorugba, whose openness, wisdom, and commitment to constructive engagement have helped create the atmosphere of dialogue, peace, and community ownership that makes today's procession possible. His support demonstrates that traditional institutions can play a vital role in preserving culture while promoting dignity, safety, justice, and social harmony.

We also recognize the important role of the Vice Chancellor of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, and the wider academic community in shaping the values, attitudes, and behaviors of young people.

As a university town, Ozoro occupies a unique position in influencing future generations, making the university an important stakeholder in promoting respect, responsible citizenship, and the protection of women and girls.

We further acknowledge the invaluable contributions of religious leaders and faith communities whose moral influence remains critical in promoting dignity, respect for human life, peaceful coexistence, and the protection of the vulnerable within our communities.



Today is not a protest against culture.

Today is not an attack on tradition.

Today is not an attempt to divide our people.

Today is a call for unity.

Today is a call for responsibility.

Today is a call for community cohesion.

We are here because we believe that our festivals, traditions, and cultural practices should strengthen our communities, preserve our heritage, promote dignity, and protect every member of society.

Recent events associated with cultural celebrations in Ozoro generated concern across Delta State and beyond. Those events opened an important conversation about safeguarding, accountability, respect, and the protection of women and girls in community spaces.

As responsible citizens and community stakeholders, we have chosen the path of dialogue rather than confrontation, collaboration rather than conflict, and reform rather than blame.

Over the past weeks, PPJ and its partners have undertaken extensive advocacy visits and consultations with the Ovie of Ozoro Kingdom, traditional chiefs, the Nigeria Police, community leaders, women leaders, Eghweya, youth groups, student leaders, faith leaders, and other stakeholders. We are encouraged by the overwhelming support received and the shared commitment to building a safer and more cohesive community.

Our ongoing evidence-gathering and policy review reveal that Delta State has made significant progress in protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls. Through laws and policies such as the Child Rights Law, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, anti-trafficking legislation, and other protective frameworks, Delta State has clearly affirmed that women and girls have the right to safety, dignity, equality, and protection from violence and harmful practices.

The challenge before us is therefore not merely the existence of laws.

1. OUR FESTIVALS SHOULD UNITE, NOT DIVIDE US
➢ Festivals are meant to celebrate identity.
➢ Festivals are meant to strengthen community bonds.
➢ Festivals are meant to preserve our heritage.
➢ No festival should become a source of fear, humiliation, harassment, or violence.
➢ Culture should unite us, not divide us.
2. EVERY WOMAN MATTERS. RESPECT HER RIGHTS.
➢ Every woman and girl matters and deserve dignity and protection
➢ No woman or girl should be harassed for participating in community life or should fear cultural celebrations.
➢ No citizen should be denied dignity because of gender.
3. QUALITY MEN PROTECT, NOT HARASS WOMEN
True masculinity is not measured by power over women but measured by respect for women.

Strong men protect, respect, exercise self-control, stand against abuse and not harass women.

4. COMMUNITY COHESION BEGINS WITH RESPECT
A community where women and girls are protected and safe is a healthier stronger community.

A community where dignity is respected is a more peaceful community.

Protecting women and girls is not a women's issue, but a community , development , justice and peacebuilding issue.

OUR CALL TO ACTION

We respectfully call upon:

The Delta State Government to continue strengthening the implementation of laws and policies that protect women and girls.

The Delta State House of Assembly to sustain legislative support for safeguarding, gender justice, and the protection of vulnerable persons.

The Chairmen of Councils of Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas to support community-based prevention and response systems.

Traditional Institutions to continue providing leadership in preserving positive cultural values while reforming practices that expose women and girls to harm.

Law Enforcement Agencies to strengthen accountability and ensure survivor-friendly reporting and response systems.

Faith Leaders to continue promoting messages of dignity, justice, respect, and peaceful coexistence.

Youth and Student Leaders to become ambassadors of responsible conduct, positive masculinity, and community protection.

Women Leaders and Women's Organizations to continue speaking out and supporting efforts to safeguard women and girls.

Community Members to reject all forms of harassment, intimidation, violence, and abuse.

Today, Ozoro sends a powerful message to Delta State, Nigeria, and the world:

Violence is not culture.

Harassment is not tradition.

Abuse is not heritage.

Respect is culture.

Dignity is culture.

Protection is culture.

Let this procession mark a new chapter of partnership, accountability, and collective action.

Let it demonstrate that communities can preserve their culture while protecting their people.

Let it show that community cohesion grows where women and girls are safe.

Let it affirm that our festivals should unite and not divide us.

Let it proclaim that every woman matters.

Together, let us build an Ozoro, an Isoko Nation, and a Delta State where every woman matters, every girl is protected, every man acts responsibly, and every cultural celebration reflects our highest values.

Thank you.





Dr Ejiro Joyce Otive-Igbuzor
Executive Director
Priests Assembly Peace and Social Justice Initiative (PPJ)

02/06/2026

CULTURE MUST PROTECT, NOT HARM: OZORO UNITES FOR COMMUNITY COHESION, DIGNITY, AND THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS

Peaceful Community Procession and Sensitization rally at
Ozoro Kingdom, Delta State

Tuesday, 2nd June 2026

The Priests Assembly Peace and Social Justice Initiative (PPJ), in collaboration with the Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development International (NDWPD) and the Male Feminists Network (MFN), is honored to join the people of Ozoro today in this peaceful community procession for unity, dignity, justice, and the protection of women and girls.

This procession is part of the Rapid Response and Norm Transformation Initiative to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Cultural Spaces in Delta State, Nigeria, supported under the Renewed Women's Voice and Leadership-Nigeria Project Strategic Opportunity Funding, with support from ActionAid Nigeria and Global Affairs Canada.

Together, we can break the silence, challenge harmful norms, and create lasting change for future generations.

25/05/2026

Environmental Justice and Human Rights Bootcamp
Date: 25th May 2026
Time: 9:00am
Organized by: Women Environmental Programme (WEP).

Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development International (NDWPD) participated at the Environmental Justice and Human Rights Bootcamp in Calabar , Cross River State.

The bootcamp which is organized by Women Environmental Programme (WEP) started today 25 May, 2026 with the Arrival and registration; of guests.
Opening Prayer; was the 1st stanza of the national anthem.
Goodwill messages; were given by the commissioner for Environment of the state and the chairman of the Green Economy commission of the state.
Welcome address; was given by the Director General of the state climate change council Dr. Mrs. Edu Effiom.
Self introductions; were made by all participants.
A group photograph was taken.
Overview of the workshop and background; was done by Patience Adema.
Introduction of Environmental justice and human rights; was presented by Mr. John Baaki where he discussed what led to it and how it affects the community, he also discussed the human rights and how it affects the economy in the handling of Environmental Justice, and the interlock between the environmental justice and human rights and how both are linked to make Environmental justice possible.
Importance of Environmental justice in achieving sustainable development; Kenneth Ajioh presented, and he discussed the importance of achieving a sustainable development plan for Environmental justice through the implementation of the 2030 SDGs goals before it ends.
Gender equality and Environmental Justice; this session was interactive, insightful and enlightening as every participants contributed in their own diversity. The gender and s*x terms were discussed and it's difference were explained.

Contributions, feedbacks and questions were made.

Facilitator John Baaki gave a closing remarks and thank the state agency for their time and the participates, and looked forward to another interactive session tomorrow.

23/05/2026

PPJ, NDWPD , MFN ADVOCACY VISIT

As part of ongoing advocacy and stakeholder engagement efforts to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Delta State, an advocacy visit was conducted at Ozoro, Delta state.

Palace Priest Peace and Social Justice (PPJ) and her Implementing partners Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development Intl (NDWPD) and the Male Feminist Network, (MFN) South south zone paid an Advocacy visit to his Royal Majesty Barr. Anthony Uvietobore Ogbogbo Jp, the Ovie of Ozoro Kingdom.

The meeting aims to introduce the implementation of a strategic intervention titled:
“Rapid Response and Norm Transformation Initiative to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Cultural Spaces in Delta State, Nigeria.”
This intervention is supported under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership-Nigeria Project Strategic Opportunity Funding, implemented in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, with support from Global Affairs Canada.

The recent concerns arising from events linked to the Ozoro cultural space created an urgent opportunity—not for blame—but for reflection, healing, protection, and positive reform.

This intervention becomes necessary because we believe that strong cultures evolve, wise communities protect their people, and true tradition preserves dignity.

13/05/2026

Ongoing Sensitization and Educational Outreach to Students in Delta State Through the Champions App on HPV and Nutrition.

04/05/2026

PPJ to Launch “Rapid Response and Norm Transformation Initiative to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Cultural Spaces in Delta State, Nigeria”

Abuja, Nigeria – 4th May, 2026.

The Priests Assembly Peace and Social Justice Initiative (PPJ) announces the forthcoming launch of its project titled “Rapid Response and Norm Transformation Initiative to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Cultural Spaces in Delta State, Nigeria”, commencing in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The initiative represents a decisive, community-driven response to recent events in Ozoro that brought national attention to harmful cultural practices enabling s*xual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Beyond addressing the immediate incident, the project is designed to confront the deeper structural, cultural and accountability gaps that allow such violations to persist.

This intervention builds on the success of PPJ’s SHUN Corruption Project, supported by the MacArthur Foundation, which mobilised faith-based communities across Nigeria to challenge corruption through behavioural change and citizen action. Drawing from this tested model, PPJ is now expanding its approach through the SHUN SGBV Programme, applying the same principles of mobilisation, accountability and norm transformation to the fight against gender-based violence.

The Ozoro project serves as a strategic entry point and a key subset of the broader SHUN SGBV Programme, demonstrating a rapid-response model that combines immediate action with long-term social change.

Implemented in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Programme, with support from Global Affairs Canada, the initiative aims to prevent and eliminate SGBV embedded in cultural and community practices through coordinated action, strengthened accountability systems and sustained norm transformation.

The project will be implemented by PPJ in collaboration with critical allies, including the Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development International and the Male Feminists Network, South South Zone. These collaborations reflect the project’s commitment to women-led mobilisation, male allyship, community ownership, survivor-centred advocacy and sustained engagement with cultural, traditional and civic actors.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Dr. Ejiro Joyce Otive-Igbuzor, Executive Director of PPJ, stated:

“This project is a turning point. We are moving from silence and normalisation of abuse to deliberate, organised resistance. Communities must not only condemn harmful practices but actively dismantle them and build systems that protect women and girls.”

Key activities under the project include high-level advocacy with traditional and government institutions, peaceful processions to demand justice and accountability, documentation of harmful practices across Delta State, community sensitisation and dialogue, and the establishment of safeguarding, reporting and referral mechanisms linked to formal justice systems.

The initiative will also build a network of trained community influencers — youth, women, traditional leaders and civil society actors — to serve as Anti-SGBV Ambassadors and sustain long-term prevention efforts.

The launch in Ozoro will mark the beginning of a broader movement to drive zero tolerance for s*xual and gender-based violence, ensuring that cultural spaces become safe, accountable and aligned with human rights, dignity and justice.

Media Contact:
Priests Assembly Peace and Social Justice Initiative (PPJ)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +2348091499975