By Ochiaka Ugwu
National Peace Academy (NPA), a training wing of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has presented certificate to chartered mediators and negotiators who undergone a Two-Week-Training Strategic Course on Negotiation and Mediation at the institute.
These participants who include security agents, public/Civil servants and people from civil society and Faith Based Organization (FBO) after the training became chartered mediators and negotiators of National Peace Academy.
Speaking during the presentation, Director General of the Institute, Dr. Bakut tswah Bakut said it gives him great pleasure that the course is taking place when the nation is challenged with insecurity.
He said there is need to initiate and design program of activities towards nipping insecurity on the bud and promoting peace.
Bakut who was represented by the Institute’s Director of Research and Policy Analysis, Dr Joseph Peter Ochogwu noted that IPCR have many training programs which were focused on non violence approach in resolving conflict.
He explained that every conflict has been resolved through non-violence approach as it must be settled on the roundtable by either dialogue or conversation.
His words, “We need a crop of professionals like you to achieve peace in our society given its present nature. You will navigate the murky waters with the experience gathered here. There is conflict you can resolve without shooting a single bullet.
“Course on meditation and negotiation is a professional course that is transformative in nature. You must transform yourself to be able to transform the society. You are now a transformative agent for peace and stability.
“Of What use is knowledge without putting it into proper use? You have a responsibility to put what you have learnt here to use for the good of the society.
Also speaking, Director of Administration, Mr. Sam Abi noted that there will always be conflict, but we must find a way to resolve it amicably.
He said he is delighted by the participants’ show of knowledge and maintained that they are going back armed with intelligence that will translate to peace in their different places of activity.
One of the participants, Brig-Gen. Salisu Yahaya Yakassai of the National Defense College during his experience sharing said the course was rewarding as it has equipped him for future challenges in his field of endeavour.
Another participant, Rev. Fr. Kennedy Ohazuruike who said the training is an eye opener for him on how to approach conflict in non violence approach manner informed that conflict must be solved from its root rather than from branches.
Director of the Academy, Dr. Abosade Awodola said that participants’ display of intelligence shows that the training was not in vain. She urged them to always refer back to the Institute for any help they may need in the course of peace building in the larger society.
All the participants pledged to apply their experience in fostering peace in the larger society.
