The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), Mr Samuel Ogbuku says the commission as an interventionist agency is building a regional integration among the Niger Delta states through inclusive approach to conflict management and Transformative Dispute Resolution.

Ogbuku stated this while speaking at a one _day capacity Building program organised by the Department of Conflict management and Dispute Resolution (DCR) of the Commission on inclusive conflict management and peace building mechanism organism for selected Niger Delta Stakeholders, Traditional Rulers , Religious leaders, Community leaders and women leaders held in port Harcourt, last Tuesday with the theme”Inclusive approach to conflict management and Transformative Dispute Resolution”

He disclosed that the essence of the workshop was to build the capacity of the traditional rulers and other community leaders who are custodians of the people so that they can be able to manage and resolve crisis in their various communities as the needs arises.

According to him,the essence of bringing together all the stakeholders from the Niger Delta states is because they have a common challenges confronting them in the region and the need to have an inclusive approach in resolving such issues even as he stressed the need for leaders in the region to close ranks together and collaborate to promote peace across the region.

He declared that the region is the most peaceful region across the country and attributed it to the various lessons learnt during the crisis period that engulfed the region which emanated from agitations for fair sharing and equitable distribution of natural resources to the region.

“We have learnt our lessons and some good , some also bad but we can not wait untill there is a problem and we must be proactive in handling the situation.we must be armed and equipped our community leaders and it must be all inclusive involving the traditional rulers, Religious leaders,CDCs and women leaders.Every body must synergise to bring peace to the region .
We know we have common challenges like Ecological degradation, Environmental challenges and under development.Although,our challenges may differ but we do have common crisis in the region.we can’t watch one part have crisis and others live in peace,so we must have a universal approach in solving them which is to embrace and preach peace.” he stated.

Ogbuku urged them to be inclusive in taking decisions in their various communities and ensure they people along, adding that the commission is looking at the micro level of engagement for peaceful stability in our region as custodians of the people and not the politicians .

” If our communities are peaceful, local, state and nation will be peaceful.we trust in your capacity to maintain peace in your various communities that informed the reason for choosing you all so as to equip and build your capacities”.he stated.

Also speaking ,the chairman of NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie harps on importantance of Alternative Dispute Resolution in resolving conflict, stressing that conflict is part of human existence but how to resolve it makes the difference.

He commended the managing Director and his team for giving approval for this workshop to train and build capacity of traditional leaders, religious leaders, community leaders, including women leaders and urged the participants to have a broader mindset during the training.

Earlier in his opening remarks,the Acting Director, DCR, NDDC, Barr Goodwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe averred that the program was designed to enhance their skills and knowledge in conflict management and peace building.

“The inclusive approaches that prioritise dialogue, empathy and collaboration enabling to address the root causes of conflict rather than merely symptoms.

The emphasis on inclusivity is particular important, it ensures that all voices are heard especially those marginalized group who are not part of decision making in the society ”

Amadi Akujobi