...Organizes Workshop for Cabinet Members, Stakeholders on Conflict Management
Effective conflict management is the key to peace, cooperation, and development in a community. Evidently, no community can grow in an atmosphere of crisis. Thus, leaders with focus and direction always think out of the box to finesse
ways of nipping crisis in the bond, to pursue peaceful co-existence and meaningful development for the well-being of their people.
It is against this backdrop that the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom in Nsukka local government area of Enugu State, HRM, Igwe Samuel Asadu (Jnr.) recently took bold steps to organize a workshop for his cabinet members; the Igwe-in-Council, the Town Union Executive, and other stakeholders in his community on conflict management and resolution.
The two-day training which was in collaboration with Pens and Voices Nigeria Limited took place from 14th-15th May 2025 at The People’s Palace, Edem-Ani in Nsukka local government area. The theme of the workshop was “Skills of Managing Community/Communal Conflict for Edem-Ani Community Leaders/Stakeholders”.
Chief Uchenna Anioke, the Executive Director, Pens and Voices Nigeria Limited, and Dr. Ambrose Igboke also of the same organization and Director of Training, who were both the resource persons for the training, drilled the participants, including the wife of the traditional ruler, Lolo Happiness Asadu on the real nitty-gritty of managing conflict in at the communal level.
The training specifically centred on how the community leaders could improve their relationship with others; develop skills to resolve conflict without necessarily going to courts, and possess the pre-requisite skills, and confidence to manage conflicts effectively, for increased peace and development.
The duo also harped on the relevance of effective communication and active listening in resolving disputes, adding that the tripod of conflict resolution, which includes, fairness, equity and justice should be adhered to while adjudicating on cases.
They therefore recommended the need to adopt Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as well as to work in synergy with their traditional ruler and other community arms of institutions for peaceful co-existence, stressing that “a peaceful community welcomes development”.
In his remarks, Igwe Asadu, who is also the chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council and former chairman South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council, said he decided to organize the training for his people out of passion and the love he has for them and Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom, stressing that their understanding of the conflict management and resolution would be a source of relief to him.
According to him, he was inspired by the recent five-day training he attended at Enugu, organized by Pens and Voices Nigeria Limited and FC International Council of Mediators and Reconciliators, courtesy of the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah. The program he pointed out was aimed at ensuring that there’s peace and harmony in the communities, adding that he sees it also as very important to his community to leverage on peace, harmony, mediation and arbitration.
“I decided to arrange this training on Skills of Managing Community/Communal Conflict for my people and Edem-Ani community in particular because of the love and interest I have for people living together in harmony. It is a life-changing effort to put our people right on mediation and arbitration. I was opportune to attend a workshop at Enugu organized by Pens and Voices Nigeria and FC International Council of Mediators and Reconciliators. I was in the training for five days and it was because Governor Peter Mbah included me on the platform. But guess what, I was able to see that the training can create peace and harmony, and leverage mediation and arbitration in the various communities in Enugu State and so I decided to bring Pens and Voices Nigeria Limited down to Edem-Ani to train you people to galvanize peace and enhance mutual respect, co-operation and sustainable community development. So, there is something I saw in the training that I said you must see. I thank God that some of you are dynamic youth members in the cabinet and you know why you are here.
I know that I couldn’t have been a traditional ruler of this community without the maximum support of you people. You gave it to me with your heart and soul and there were no grudges from anyone. And I want to assure you that I appreciated it and the ancestors of the land also appreciated it. Within two years and some months now, your traditional ruler, Igwe Ogadagide and the community have become household names in every nook and cranny of the country and among other traditional rulers in the East, South and the North. Today, I am the chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, the immediate past chairman South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council and currently a member, Board of Trustees, Council of Traditional Rulers’ of Africa, Nigeria Chapter. All these were possible because of your prayers and support”, he said.
The royal father reminded his people that the success of leadership is teamwork, emphasizing that they should be open-minded and avail themselves of the task of building Edem-Ani Ancient Kingdom to be the best among the equals, not only in Enugu State but the entire communities in the country.
“The task of building this community to an enviable standard is a collective one. As your traditional ruler, I am serving this community with an open and sincere heart. I, therefore, charge you to be broadminded in joining me to transform Edem-Ani Ogwugwu community to a better pedestal, and without seeking rewards. My concern is to put our community on the world map”, he charged his people.
Igwe Asadu thanked the Enugu State Governor, for his support to him, members of his cabinet for availing themselves of the training, the press and the resource persons from Pens and Voices Nigeria Limited for their co-operation.
Some of the participants who spoke to our correspondent after the training described the exercise as novel and historic in the community, adding that Igwe Asadu “is a leader with a difference”.
The Vice President General of the community’s Town Union, who stood in for the President General who was unavoidably absent, Mrs. Grace Onyishi said the program was the first of its kind in the community, emphasizing that they had never experienced it in the past.
According to her, they were overwhelmed with joy because they gained a lot of knowledge on how to handle cases from individuals in the community and even in their respective families. While commending HRM, Igwe Asadu for his continued yeoman’s services to the community, she urged other participants to learn by heart the lessons of the training for the betterment of their community.
Also, the former vice chairman of Nsukka local government area and a member of Igwe’s Cabinet, Chief Ibe Ajibo said the program was so good that it sharpened their brain more. He noted that now and then they talk about their traditional ruler because of what he does for the people, describing him as the best among the equals.
“What happened on 14 and 15 of May, 2025 in this community is historic and cannot be forgotten. This is monumental in the annals of Edem-Ani Ogwuguwu Ancient Kingdom”, he said.
The chief of staff to the traditional ruler, Chief John Okanya and Dr Sylvanus Ogwuda described the exercise as impressive and fantastic, adding that Igwe Asadu has impacted much to the people in various ways and should remain blessed by the Almighty for his selfless services for Edem-Ani community.
Also in a remark, the palace secretary, chief Joseph Sunday Ugwuanyi extolled Igwe Asadu for his understanding and resolve to build up their knowledge on conflict management and resolution and assured him that they won’t disappoint him.
The highpoint of the event was issuance of certificates to the participants.
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