In a bid to promote peace and conflict resolution in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has trained over 200 youths from the region’s nine states on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. The one-day capacity-building workshop, organized by NDDC’s Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution, was held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, under the theme: “Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanism: Facilitating Inclusive Youth Engagement for Transformative Peace.”
Declaring the workshop open, NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, highlighted the importance of ADR in managing conflicts, particularly in a region frequently affected by disputes related to oil exploration and exploitation. Represented by Dr. Patterson Ogon, Director of Research, Planning, and Statistics, Ogbuku noted that the Niger Delta’s strategic importance in oil production often makes it a hotspot for conflicts. He emphasized the need to equip youths—who are often at the forefront of agitations—with peaceful strategies for conflict resolution.
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“What we want to achieve in this workshop is to equip youths with the skills to manage conflicts when they arise, exploring negotiation and dialogue to prevent crises before they escalate. ADR is essential for the Niger Delta region,” he stated. He urged participants to take the training seriously and serve as ambassadors of peace in their respective communities.
Speaking at the event, Godwin Ogedegbe, Acting Director of the Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution (DCR) at NDDC, reinforced the importance of ADR in ensuring stability in the region.
He explained that the training was aimed at discouraging violence and the destruction of vital national assets such as oil installations, which significantly impact the region’s revenue and development.
“The goal is to show our youths that there are better ways to resolve conflicts than resorting to violence or the destruction of oil facilities. Such actions only hinder development and do not bring lasting peace,” Ogedegbe stressed. He further urged participants to take the message back to their communities, advocating for peaceful dispute resolution.
The participants, drawn from Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Cross River, Bayelsa, and other Niger Delta states, were encouraged to champion peaceful dialogue and conflict management techniques within their communities.
The NDDC remains committed to fostering peace, development, and stability in the Niger Delta, ensuring that conflicts are resolved through negotiation rather than violence.
