Joel Bisina founded NIDPRODEV in 1999, and currently serves as Executive Director. Mr. Bisina is an internationally known consultant and expert in conflict management, mediation, community development, facilitation and training. He is also a frequent commentator for print and broadcast media — including BBC, Reuters, AP, Wall Street Journal, CNN, AFP, and NAN — on issues related to the Niger Delta. He is the National Director of Humanitarian Services for the Conflict Resolution Stakeholders Network (CRESNET).

Mr. Bisina has brokered peace in various conflict zones in Nigeria, including the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), and the Ijaw Youths Conflict of 1999 in Lagos. He was the lead mediator for a 2003-2004 joint initiative of NIDPRODEV with the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH) in Warri, Delta State (funded by USAID, Nigeria). In collaboration with IFESH, he successfully led an ongoing mediation in a tribal conflict between the Ijaw and Itsekiri tribes of the Niger Delta, who had been locked in a deadly conflict that lasted more than seven years, claiming well over 2000 lives and more than 10,000 homeless and destroying properties worth several million dollars.

Mr. Bisina holds a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy and Finance from Yaba College of Technology. Prior to founding NIDPRODEV, he worked for 10 years in the banking industry in a variety of capacities, including branch accountant and Head of Customer Service.

Mr. Bisina’s publications include:

• Towards 2007 General Election; a contextual analysis of political developments in Delta State. Published in the IDASA quarterly conflict tracking dossier- special Edition on the 2007 election, 2007.
   
• Environmental Degradation and its Implication on Regional Peace and Conflict Dynamics in the Niger Delta. A paper presented at the Niger Delta Round Table in Port Harcourt and published by various online journals, 2006.
   
• Oil and Corporate recklessness in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.  An editorial in Pambazuka, an online Journal on African Affairs, Fall 2004, and published in the Pambazuka compilation African Voices on Development and Social Justice, 2005.
   
• Reducing Small Arms, Increasing Safety and Security, and Minimizing Conflicts in the Niger Delta (a survey of the Small Arms / Light Weapons situation of Delta State).  Presented at a Round Table organized by African Strategic and Peace Research Group, Nigeria, 2003.
   
• Political and Electoral Conflicts in Nigeria, Delta State (Matters Arising). An X-ray of Political Development in Nigeria, 2003.
   
• Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (the Bayelsa Experience). Contributed to Ife Psychologia – an international journal published by the Ife Center for Psychological Study, University of Ife, Nigeria, 2001.
   
• Conflict Causes and Effects: The Niger-Delta Experience.  A paper presented at a seminar organized by National Izon – Ibe Student Unilag Chapter, 2000.
   
• Communication as a Veritable Tool in Conflict Management.  A paper presented at a seminar for church leaders, 1999.

Mr. Bisina has been recognized with a variety of awards, including:

• MDG Ambassador: an award presented by Teachers Without Borders, USA for contributing toward the realization of the Millennium Development Goals through facilitating Multi stakeholder agreement and dialogue in community development in the Niger Delta, 2008.
   
• Award of Excellence: an award presented by National Association of Izon Ibe Students in recognition of contributions toward Leadership Development in Ijaw Nation, 2008.
   
• Giraffe Hero commendation: an award presented by the Giraffe Heroes Project, USA for courage and “sticking your neck out for the common good,” 2006.
   
• Ambassador for Peace Award: an international award presented by the Interreligious International Federation for World Peace, USA for contributing to world peace through citizen diplomacy and promoting international cooperation and understanding, 2006.
   
• Country Director’s Award, International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH) representing acknowledgement of effective collaboration in joint initiatives with this international NGO, 2003.