By Our Reporter
Precious Pertals Empowerment Centre, with funding from the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) held a peacebuilding workshop for members of the Ugboland Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) in Akure, Ondo State.
The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of Peace Committee members to manage conflicts, prevent disputes, and foster social cohesion within the community.
Dr. Chukwudi Njoku, Peacebuilding Coordinator at PIND, said the project seeks to recalibrate the Ugboland HCDT Peace Committee into a locally driven peace structure capable of addressing grievances and reducing incidents of youth restiveness, criminal violence, and leadership conflicts.
Executive Director of Precious Pertals, Mrs. Stella-Ikeokwu Nathaniel, explained that the training was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of peacebuilding frameworks and conflict management within the HCDT structure.
She noted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has replaced the former GMOU model, giving communities more structured avenues to manage development funds, but emphasized that conflict management remains a priority.
The workshop featured technical presentations. Mr. Franklin Oloniju, a Peacebuilding expert, highlighted the difference between “negative peace,” which is superficial, and “positive peace,” which fosters social harmony and builds systems for communities to thrive.
CC Ibiloye Joshua JP, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, represented by PSO DCC Odunayo Yusuf, spoke on mindset transformation.
He explained how attitudes, beliefs, and unconscious biases influence behavior and urged participants to embrace diversity and collective responsibility.
A panel discussion examined conflict dynamics within the Ugboland HCDT. Panelists, including Chief Ojajuni, Chief Mrs. Olamide Falana, and Damilola Adetimehin, offered practical suggestions for improving communication, building trust, and fostering unity.
Dr. Mann Alli, Chairman of the Ugboland HCDT Management Committee, commended Precious Pertals and PIND for the intervention.
He said the training was timely and essential, noting that many Peace Committee members had never received structured peacebuilding training.
The workshop ended with participants pledging renewed commitment to dialogue, peace, and collective action to ensure development initiatives in Ugboland are implemented in an atmosphere of trust, inclusiveness, and lasting stability.
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