Torren _nddc Letter- [2]

76 Ash Street, Valley Stream, New York 11580. P. O. Box 5097, New York, NY 10100. (917) 847-3415. [email protected]

Dr. David Ogula Managing Consultant Erhabor West Managing Partner Marcus Oneyjese Managing Partner

November 18, 2009 The Chairman Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Torren Consulting (TC) would like to seize this opportunity to introduce the company and its services to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Torren Consulting is a USNigeria based consulting firm focused on harnessing individual creative potential to empower people and improve their lives. Following a research study by one of the managing consultants at Torren on stakeholder involvement, in the Niger Delta in 2008, a model of partnership in rural communities and a pragmatic result-based approach to self-empowerment was developed. As Chairman of an agency charged with the responsibility of the region’s development plan, you are well aware that the people living in the area face many challenges with respect to transforming their traditional, social and economic systems into the post-industrial era. Lack of capacity limits the ability of the people to participate in meaningful economic activities. Many are incapacitated by the lack of resources critical to transforming their creative and entrepreneurial ideas into viable economic ventures. To fundamentally change the lives of the people in the Niger Delta, new approaches to channeling and managing their energies, and talents is required. Torren’s goal is to partner with government, private businesses and non-governmental organizations to create new opportunities for skills acquisition and self-empowerment through appropriate innovative strategies that will pull many out the misery of poverty.

Unlike other companies engaged in humanitarian services, we approach the problem of chronic poverty in Niger Delta from entrepreneurial and self-empowerment perspective. Our operational philosophy is based on the principle of teaching people to catch fish rather than giving them fish. Taken further, Torren will teach people to teach others how to catch fish. Torren will

maximize the number of local people who will stand up, seize an idea and implement it; spreading solutions and persuading entire communities to take new leaps to transform themselves for the better. We are solution-minded pragmatists proposing a sustainable model that provides community support. The core team of our experienced consultants are familiar with the Niger Delta region. This familiarity facilitates understanding of the contexts and perceptions of the people, which will reinforce social bonding between TC staff and program recipients/participants, and ensure effective service delivery. We have the ability to mobilize resources in Nigeria and abroad. Attached is our proposal for services. Our professional consulting staff will be delighted to present further details of our proposed model and implementation strategies at a date, location and time convenient for you.

Yours truly,

Dr. David Ogula Managing Consultant