NEWS
Group trains Twenty-Five farmers, pastoralists on peace building in Kogi
Postoral Resolve (PARE), a Non-Governmental Organisation, working on Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) project, says it has trained 25 farmers and pastoralists on peace building in Kogi.
The PARE’s Team Lead and Facilitator, Mr Israel Okpe, said this on Wednesday during the training of some community leaders in Ajaka, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of the state.
Okpe said that the three-day Interest-Based Negotiation and Mediation training was designed to promote synergy among various stakeholders in addressing the lingering conflicts among the different communities.
Okpe, who is also the Senior Programme Officer, said that the Pastoral Resolve programme also aims to further improve the impact of CIPP and promote sustainability of negotiation and mediation skills among CIPP participants.
The training, he said, featured: Pencil Simulation, The Crocodile and the Elephant Game, Negotiation and Mediation, Role of Mediators, Mediation Process and meaning of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Others are Characteristics of ADR, Introduction to the Seven Elements and Circle of Value, Mediation Role Play, Ladder of Understanding and Community Actions Plan.
Also, Mercy Corps Programme Specialist, Mr Emmanuel Shall, charged the communities to always apply mediation in resolving their disputes because of its potential of helping parties to improve on their relationships.
“Mediation is largely our future focus, because we believe that leaders should always think outside the box in handling sensitive disputes that might be difficult to resolve.
“Leaders should ask the right questions to understand the dynamics of the conflict instead of dwelling on assumptions.
“This is largely because mediators should be neutral as neutrality helps parties in a conflict to build trust and confidence in them,” Shall said.
One of the trainees, Alhaji Buhari Abubakar, a pastoral leader, commended CIPP for providing the needed support for the embattled communities.
“We shall put to use the tools acquired from this training in our daily activities because we believe in peace and development in our communities,” Abubakar said.
Also, Tahirudeen Abdullahi, a community Leader from Ajaka, thanked CIPP for its efforts and, particularly, for providing the opportunity.
Abdullahi said that with the training, the communities could now resolve their disputes without resorting to jungle justice.
He gave assurance that the communities would no longer take law into their hands or report disputes to the police as the leaders now have the capacity to resolve disputes amongst the communities.
NEWS
Kwara NSCDC Organises Medical Outreach, Award Night
From Samuel James, Ilorin
The Kwara state command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has organized a Medical Outreach, Security Summit and Award Night to mark its end-of-year activities in the state.
The event which was organized by the Tanke Division highlighted the Corp’s commitment to community service, security enhancement and the recognition of excellence.
The event started with a Medical Outreach that aimed at improving health and well-being of elderly residents in the Tanke community, as free medical tests were conducted to demonstrate the Corps’ dedication to social responsibility and care for the welfare of citizens.
The Security Summit, which followed, focused on strategies to enlighten neighborhood safety and foster greater collaboration among stakeholders. It also centered its discussions on proactive measures to tackle security challenges and to enhance collective efforts toward ensuring a safe society.
The event also culminated in an Award Night to celebrate officers and stakeholders who have shown outstanding dedication, professionalism, and contributions to public safety.
While addressing the gathering, the State Commandant, Dr. Umar J.G. Mohammed, who was represented by the Area K Commander, ACC Kehinde Adebayo, extolled the officers for their unwavering commitment to duty, and explained that recognizing hard work and dedication is not only to motivate personnel but also to inspire excellence and strengthen service delivery.
In his remarks, the Tanke Divisional Officer, SC Oyinloye Yinka, explained the importance of the event, describing it as a platform to appreciate officers for their resilience and to encourage stakeholders’ involvement while reinforcing the Corps’ mandate of safeguarding lives and property.
Oyinloye further appreciated the stakeholders for their unwavering support, acknowledging that the division’s achievements were made possible through the collaborative efforts and partnerships.
The State Command however reassured of its readiness to sustain these initiatives and to deepen community engagement, and enhance operational efficiency in the years to come.
NEWS
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 1,850 Personnel in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 1,850 personnel to guarantee a seamless and secured yuletide celebration in Kogi State.
In a statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Aliyu, noted that the Kogi State Commandant of NSCDC, Esther Akinlade, carefully chose these personnel from various units, encompassing the Operations department, Special Rapid response,Agro rangers, Female squad Intelligence, and Critical National Assets Infrastructure departments.
According to the statement, the Commandant emphasized that NSCDC in conjunction with sister agencies, is dedicated to ensure a crime-free environment in the State before, during, and after the festive period considering the peculiarity of kogi State bordering nine different States including FCT.
“Commandant Akinlade urged the youth to abstain from involvement in any form of social misconduct or unlawful activities that could disrupt law and order as anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law.
“She urged the public to observe the celebrations with moderation and to relay any credible information concerning any form of criminal activities and hideouts to the relevant authority thereby contributing to the preservation of the relative peace prevalent in the state” the statement added.
NEWS
Wike Gives Landowners Fresh Two-week Ultimatum to Settle on C-of-O
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocation.
This was contained in a statement issued at the weekend, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister reiterated that the primary interest was not for people to lose their lands, but to get them to make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read; “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published.
They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.“Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”