By Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mr. John Olatunde Fayemi has called for the need for residents to live harmoniously and settle their disputes without resorting to legal tussle saying that not all cases should necessarily be filed at the law court.
Thestate commandant made this known during year 2022 Quarterly Peer Review and Training of Desk officers and divisional officers of the Corps on how best to address some civil cases in order to engender peace and continuos harmony among the people of the state.
Speaking on the theme “Principle of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Mediation in focus” Mr Fayemi reinstated the commitment of the Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit of the Corps to resolve civil cases that can jeopardize cordial relationship and leading to unhealthy rivalries amongst friends, Family members and Communities.
The State NSCDC boss explained that the command is proud of have chartered mediators and experts in Alternative Dispute Resolutions who are ever prepared and ready to address challenging issues and civil cases between willing members of the public.
The event held at the Commands Headquarters in Ado Ekiti brought together the Divisional Officers and LCDA officers among other attendants.
At the three sessions of the program were discussions centred on Peer Review Mechanisms, Mediation Strategy and Principles of ADR where resource persons were drawn from the field of peace, security and conflict resolution and management in the state.
The Head of the ADR Unit of the Command ACC Odunayo Yusuf cpp led the second session where he explained the nitty gritty of ADR and the expected behaviours of a good mediator. He noted that early warning and proper management of conflict is a panacea to war, conflict and misunderstanding which could grow more than expected if not quickly and neatly nipped in the bud. He also emphasized the need for opposing sides to be happy at the end of the resolution which he said was the main purpose of the ADR.
ACC Odunayo Yusuf cpp declared that the Unit has resolved over 600 cases within the last three months ranging from marriage matters, land disputes and landlord-tenant rifts and others.
One of the resource persons, Mr. Ibikunle Gbenga avers that it is necessary to have robust peaceful settlements of disputes where the disputing parties agree at the end and go back to their normal relationship without harbouring hatred. He commended the officers of the NSCDC and particularly the ADR unit for the peace efforts within the State.
According to him, “the focus of every peace officer is to make peace by systematic analysis of event and the search for the meeting point which can be explored to factor in intersections in which the settlement can stand on”
The programme availed the officers the opportunity to ask questions on how best issues could be addressed. The divisional officers and peace officers after the training pledged their unrelenting efforts towards ensuring harmonious living among the members of the public.