Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Akwa Ibom State Command has trained Area Commanders, Divisional Officers and other personnel of the corps on modern conflict management techniques.
The State Commandant of the corps, Mr Abidemi Majekodunmi, who declared the training open in Uyo urged officers to take advantage of the efficacy of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism.
The theme of the workshop is; “Early Warning and Early Response and Conflict prevention for communities and security providers.”
Majekodunmi asked participants to be serious with every aspect of the workshop which will equip them to handle the complexities of conflict resolution using; mediation, negotiation, conciliation and arbitration.
“As Divisional Officers, you are expected to interface in conflicts at the incipient stage before it degenerates into a full blown crisis.
“Alternative Dispute Resolution is an important non-kinetic tool in conflict resolution that produces great results if rightly and tactfully deployed,” Majekodunmi said.
The commandant commended the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi for his foresight in organising a sensitisation workshop to improve the capacity of personnel in conflict resolution as a tranquil atmosphere of peace as a key factor in promoting growth and development in any nation.
The Resource Person, Mr Oguntayo Olayinka, examined the principles and proceedures of conflict management.
He extensively discussed Alternative Dispute Resolution, the established modus operandi for operations and the projections of the corps in this regard for 2022.
He urged participants to collaborate with stakeholders in conflict resolution like traditional authority, religious leaders, community based organisations (CBOs), Civil Society Organisations and security agencies.
He identified areas of conflict which were diverse and varies in different environments to include; farmers/herders conflict, debt recovery, land disputes, interpersonal/family disputes, among others.