AFRYDEF

Peace building and Conflict resolution Training to ensure the socio-economic well being of youths of oil producing communities in Imo State, Nigeria .

With the support of the USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives, Port Harcourt Regional Office, AFRYDEF collaborated with the Committee for Advancement of Justice in carrying out a research study on the Niger Delta Peace Project with a focus on Imo State between September, 2000 and June, 2001 and implemented a 3-day Peace building and Conflict Resolution Training Workshop for the benefits of youths of Ohaji, Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas of Imo State in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria from December 17 – 20, 2000.  

The major objectives of the project were:

• To reduce the incidences of economic / ethnic driven conflicts in the communities

• To equip the participating youth leaders with practical skills that will enable them mitigate conflicts within their respective constituencies.

• To foster peace, democracy and development in the communities, and

• To build the capacities of youth groups in the communities to contribute constructively to the development of their areas.

Special prrsenttations on the issues of the moment were made by eminent scholars and resource persons, drawn from the academia and civil society, namely:  

• Dr. George.O.S Amadi, Head of Law Department, University of Nigeria , Nsukka: The Role of civil society in preventing and resolving conflicts in host communities.

• Prince (Dr.) Sam Ezeanyika, Senior Lecturer, Department of Government and Public Administration, Imo State University, Owerri: Implications of communal unrest on the political transformation process.

• Justice B. N Obuah, Rtd. Judge, National Industrial Court , Lagos : The socio-economic implications of communal unrests in oil producing communities.

• Mazi Gibson Okoroafor, Head of Projects Management Department, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State: The role of community leaders in oil producing areas in the application of traditional and/or modern techniques of conflict mitigation.

• Thelma Ekiyor, Executive Director of WACSI led the training workshop, while

• Hon. Remy Chukwunyere, Executive Director of AFRYDEF and Barr. Uche Durueke, President of CAJ facilitated the workshop sessions.
   

At the end of the 3-day training project, which attracted prominent traditional rulers and community leaders, like HRH Eze S.N.A Uzor, the Nze Obi of Egbema Kingdom and the Chairman, Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, etc. the participants resolved as follows:

• That the Movement to Save Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta Youths, a coalition of AFRYDEF and CAJ be empowered to mediate in all conflicts emanating from oil exploration activities in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas of Imo State, Nigeria.

• On matters arising from the 13% oil derivation fund accruing to Imo State, the participants resolved that the Imo State Government should formally present to the general public, especially the people of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas, the formula for the disbursement of the fund from the Federal Government meant for the development of oil producing communities in the state.

• That a committee comprising of youth leaders, community leaders, traditional rulers, etc be set up by the Imo State Government without further delay to manage the 13% oil derivation fund allocated to the oil producing communities.