Institute promotes peace through ADR in Niger Delta

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) said it has promoted peace over violence through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking in Uyo on Monday during the commemoration of the International Day of Peace and the 10th anniversary celebration of its existence in Akwa Ibom State, ICMC’s Chairperson, Dr Rosalyn Essien (FICMC), said mediation and conciliation have been used to sow the seeds of enduring peace instead of violence.

Essien, who advocates for mediation over violence, stating that it transforms grievances into growth opportunities, noted that localising ADR infrastructure in the Niger Delta has helped ICMC mediate high-stakes commercial disputes in the oil and gas sector and facilitated reconciliations in inter-communal clashes.

She explained that in Akwa Ibom, ICMC has partnered with the State Ministry of Justice to integrate mediation into court-annexed processes, and local government councils for community peace dialogues, and amongst other initiatives.

“As we commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace with the clarion call to ‘Act Now for a Peaceful World, let us reflect on how mediation and conciliation have been our tools for building bridges, healing divides, and sowing seeds of enduring peace.

“As we mark 10 years of mediation excellence, let us pause to celebrate our strides. From mediating high-stakes commercial disputes in the oil and gas sector to facilitating reconciliations in inter-communal clashes, our branch has been a steadfast guardian of peace.

“In the spirit of the International Day of Peace, we reaffirm that mediation is the antidote to violence, a means of transforming enemies to friends, and grievances into growth opportunities,” she stated.

In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Education, Prof Ubong Umoh, commended the institute for its role in strengthening mediation in the settlement of conflicts and adhering to the United Nations mediation fundamentals.

Umoh noted that ICMC has consistently promoted mediation and reconciliation in resolving conflict in the public and private sectors, as well as built a robust network of highly skilled professionals deployed across communities, organisations and institutions to strengthen Nigeria’s mediation ecosystem.

He said Governor Umo Eno pledged the devotion of resources to sustain peace in the State through the Arise Agenda , and is partnering with the State Judiciary to sustain peace and security, adding that his effort towards peace and security led to the creation of a stand-alone Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, and the Ibom Community Watch.

“In the context of the principles of peace and justice, the Akwa Ibom people, since the pre-colonial times, embodied conflict resolution and management mechanisms and judicial instruments which placed it in a position of nurture, culture and dispensation of peace and justice in the polity.

“The mechanisms were Mbiam (juju), Idiong (Divination), Afia or Ukang (Ordeal), Nnuk enin (Elephant tusk), Eyei (Young palm frond), Eyeyin (grand-children of daughters in other lineages, Ukot (In-law), Iman (Ally), Age Grades (Nka), Ndukpat (Darkened sharpened object), Women’s government of Ebre and Ibaan isong, Blood covenant, Shrines and Oracles, and Oduk (Diaspora).

“Building upon this culture of peace and justice, Akwa Ibom State is marinated with enormous economic and human potentials, with investment in world-class infrastructure by the past and present administrations.

“The State is increasingly gaining a reputation as one of the safe, peaceful and secure states among prominent and critical stakeholders in Nigeria,” he stated.