By Matthew Denis
The Kwara State Centre for Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) stated that it has recorded no fewer than 400 conflict cases between October 2016 and October 2017.
The cases cut across communal clashes, land disputes, herdsmen/ farmers clashes, family crisis, employers and employees’ disputes, among others.
The Director of the Centre, Barr. Kikelomo Grillo made the disclosure yesterday during a sensitisation programme on conflicts resolution organised by the Rotary Club of Ilorin (GRA) at Kwara Hotel.
She said, “land dispute is a recurring dispute in the state in our records and we had Offa-Erin Ile, Share/Tsaragi, and the most recent one was the Odo-Owa/Ilofa dispute and these are due to socio-economic reasons.
“The population is increasing and people are becoming more conscious of their rights and properties. Everybody wants to own a land to farm and build a house. For these reasons, communities are now reclaiming lands that belong to them and the ones that they think should be theirs.”
On the number of disputes in the state she said, “Between October 2016 and October this year, we recorded a total of 400 disputes in the state and land crisis is 40 per cent of the number.”
Barr. Grillo who spoke on the topic: ‘Strategies and Tactics of Peace and Conflict Resolution’ harped on collaborative efforts from the traditional rulers, religious leaders and individuals to ensure harmony in the heterogeneous society.
She urged other Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to emulate Rotary Club by sensitising the public on conflict resolution strategies, in the state and country at large.
Speaking, the President of the Rotary club, Alabi Amuda, who is a retired Permanent Secretary in the state noted that the club as part of its core values will continue to partner the state government, other NGOs and individuals to ensure peaceful co-existence of people in the state.
Also speaking, the former administrator of Bauchi State, Capt (Rtd) Theophilus Bamigboye emphasised that in resolving conflict between two parties authority should be invoked to proffer lasting solution when diplomatic approach fails to yield result.
