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PROF. Oyeronke Olademo, the Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS), University of Ilorin, has enjoined Nigerians to embrace dialogue and mediation in resolving disputes and community clashes.
Olademo gave the advice on Tuesday, during an outreach exercise by a unit in the centre; Suleiman Bogoro Mediation Room, at the palace of the Alangua of Tanke, Ilorin.
She opined that dialogue and alternative dispute resolution should be explored rather than resorting to litigation, which he said does not always lead to peaceful endings.
She stated that CPSS was established to promote peaceful co-existence among the people of Ilorin Emirate and its environs by creating an avenue for them to settle disputes amicably through Suleiman Bogoro Meditation Room.
The director, who is also a former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, pointed out that the centre had well-trained staff in peace and mediation process to prevent clashes among the people.
She discouraged the engagement of police, lawyers or going to court and spend huge money while they can easily have their cases settled at the centre at no cost.
She said the unit under her watch would not overlook the university’s immediate environment while also contributing its quota to national development.
In his remarks, the Alangua of Tanke, Alhaji Umar Salahudeen, appreciated the effort of the CPSS for sustaining the existing peaceful atmosphere in the community.
He said that the Council of Mogajis in the Tanke community was ready to support the efforts of the centre in peacebuilding and community development in general.
Salahudeen promised that the 22 Mogajis in the community would work hand-in-hand with the CPSS at making their subjects subscribe to the Suleiman Bogoro Meditation Room’s service.
He also promised his total compliance with their decisions at the end of any settlement.
He called on the university management to always assist the host community in terms of admission of their children and job opportunities to give them a sense of belonging.
He also requested for the sinking of boreholes in the community, which he said would be useful to the students living there.
Also speaking at the event, a Senior Lecturer at the CPSS, Dr Abiola Adimula, stated that the mediation room was established to ensure that people live peacefully and settle their disputes through dialogue and mediation.
On his part, the Mogaji of Mosudo, Alhaji Saliu Mohammed, informed about a committee/forum of Mogajis in the Ilorin Emirates Council with Tanke chapter being an advisory council to the Alangua.
He also commended Olademo and members of her entourage for counting Tanke community worthy of enjoying the privilege as the host community of the university.
He, however, advised that people should retrace their roots and follow the footsteps of their forefathers in the way they settle disputes amicably among themselves. (NAN)
– Mar. 16, 2021 @ 12:10 GMT
Tags: Don canvasses dialogue mediation in dispute resolution
