P4P To Umuagwo Community: Embrace Conflict Analysis Mechanisms 

By Anyi Lemchi

A formidable Nongovernmental organization geared towards peace building in the South East and South South geopolitical zone, Partners For Peace in the Niger Delta (P4P) has advised the people of Umuagwo Community to resort to peaceful accepted ways of resolving conflicts in the locality.

The peace  promoting group, gave the charge at a One-Day Capacity Enhancement Training on Conflict Management and Peace building for Umuagwo Community Leaders and Members on Monday 31st July, 2023.

Delivering his lecture at the Seminar held at Women Hall, Town School Umuagwo, Ohaji-Egbema LGA, Imo State, the state Chapter Coordinator of P4P, Comrade Chilos Godsent stressed the need and place of peace in society, describing it as the hallmark of every human relations.

Godsent decried that social and communication gap between members of society forms larger part of conflicts, adding that difference in background, perception ought be accommodated by all to ensure mutual and harmonious community life.

He advised Umuagwo Community members to eschew lack of empathy, hasty generalization and assumptions while charging them to embrace dialogue in all relations in order to forge  ahead.

He said when people dialogue,  they get to find out the best approach to solving their individual and Community problems through conflict analysis mechanisms.

The state Coordinator of the NGO thanked the people for being peaceful, accommodating and living harmoniously with visitors in the community.

The Traditional Ruler of Umuagwo Autonomous Community, Eze Oji Senator  flanked by the Palace Secretary, Chief Dr. Alphonsus Obijuru noted that the community is ever peaceful and peace loving having accommodated several ethnic groups in the Eze’s Council, adding that non-indigenes constitute 80 percent membership.

Adding his voice, a member of the Umuagwo Traditional Council, Chief Hon. Romanus Eziri however stressed that there is near zero records of land disputes while some disagreements of such are peacefully settled.

He added that the Community is a typical egalitarian society where everyone enjoys a sense of belonging and as well contribute their quota for the development of the area.

Another cabinet member, Chief Chinedu Agham expressed thanks to the group for their initiative to ensure peaceful coexistence in the area, noting that Umuagwo is the leading community in peace affairs as concerns Ohaji local government area.

The participants at the training expressed appreciation to the coordinators of P4P, Imo state Chapter for their time and impactful training which shall go a long way in integrating long lasting peace in the Community.

They however noted the importance of the training to them as a boost to sustain the peaceful reputation of Umuagwo Community over the years.

The people added that the training offered them right footings and general knowledge of conflict resolution amid similar actions and inactions in the past.

The highlight of the training was discussions, as well as  questions and answers section which echoed their rapt attention in the programme.