The Lagos State office of the Administrator-General and Public Trustee (AG&PT) has trained its counsel and supporting staff of the agency on mediation process in the administration and management of estates, as well as the role of the Office in delivering its mandates in the State.

In her remarks at the capacity building and training held at the auditorium of Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Alausa-Ikeja, the Administrator-General of the Office, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, stated that the training is not only to inform the public and lawyers, about the functions of the agency but to also inculcate in them the prerequisite skills needed in mediation process as whole.

She said: “Considering the level of trust Lagosians reposed in the agency, all staff, right from the cleaners, front desk officers and to all counsel must be professional in the discharge of their duties and assignments, as the agency will not tolerate any act of misconduct from officers”

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The Administrator-General, in a paper delivered at the occasion titled “Mediation process in the Administration of Estate”, emphasized the importance of mediation and negotiation when dealing with members of the public.

She said this would enable parties have better outcome than their prevailing situation when approaching the agency.

She listed qualities of good mediators to include  resourcefulness, patience, firmness and emotional intelligence among others.

A director in the office of the Administrator-General, Mr. Akinjide Bakare, stated that it is not compulsory to be a lawyer for an individual to become a chartered mediator.

He also said the training offered counsels the opportunity of having an overview of what is expected of them when clients whose relatives died without a will or a will that is invalid approach them.

He said it is their responsibility to advise members of the public on their rights as beneficiaries and potential claimants to estates of relatives who died without a will or a will that is invalid nor an administrator because of legal reasons.