ROHI Urges Traditional Rulers To Promote Peace, Dev. … Commends NDDC for Grassroot Development

The Executive Director, Rivers of Hope and Humanitarian Initiative (ROHI), Mrs. Josephine Emmanuel Oyibo, has urged traditional rulers in Bayelsa and Delta States to promote peace building inclusiveness through traditional rulers.

Mrs. Oyibo, who stated this during a one-day training programme on the role of chieftaincy institution in community development and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Bayelsa and Delta States, urged relevant authorities to recognize the importance of the traditional institution in peace building and sustainable development.

Oyibo, who was represented by the Programme Manager of ROHI, Mr. Etido Umoafia, said the training will go a long way to enhance development in various communities in the states.

“Note that traditional rulers, who are the custodians of land, culture and spiritual authority, should be able to promote peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms in their communities”, she said.

She commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for supporting peace building and development in the Niger Delta states, saying “the gathering is the initiative that highlights the enduring relevance of our traditional institutions in promoting peace, justice and grassroot development”.

Earlier in his speech, the facilitator of the programme, Mr. Tombari Quote, stated that the objective of the programme was to explain how traditional rulers or leaders can mobilize resources for community development.

He said they can do it in different ways, which include: applying local Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in real-life contexts and promoting peace building and inclusiveness through traditional systems.

Also speaking, HRH, Olotulu Levi Beringhen IV, the Paramount Ruler of Foropa, thanked ROHI for the laudable programme in Delta and Bayelsa States.

According to him, ROHI should endeavor to map out strategies to continue the programme in other to enable other Niger Delta states to benefit from such exercise.

“I want to thank the organizers of the programme, we are praying that you come yearly to educate more states on community administration and development.

On his part, HRH Job Darius David commended NDDC for deeming it fit to sponsor this initiative and for recognize the importance of traditional institutions in peace building and sustainable development in communities.

Highlight of the programme was the presentation of certificates of participation to attendees.

Sogbeba Dokubo