United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Co-Chair on Peace and Citizenship at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. Olaoluwa Oyinloye, has advocated the need for Nigerians to develop conflict management skills to engender a more peaceful and stable society.
Oyinloye noted that having conflict management skills by more citizens of the country would help prevent ethnic, political and religious violence which lead to loss of lives, property and investment.
The renowned peace and conflict scholar spoke at the closing ceremony of a one-day Professional Capacity Building Workshop organised by the Department of Conflict, Peace and Strategic Studies, College of Social and Management Sciences, ABUAD.
He believes that possession of conflict management skills by citizens would go a long way in helping to manage the diversities in the country and foster development in the key sectors which stand to benefit the citizens and their fatherland in the long run.
Oyinloye commended President Bola Tinubu for the way he addressed the recent Rivers State Executive/Legislature crisis, expressing hope that the tussle would be resolved as soon as possible in the interest of the people of the state.
Read Also: FBI arrests Nigerian ‘tech queen’ over alleged multi-million dollar fraud scheme
The UNESCO Co-Chair noted that Nigerians need to manage their ethnic, cultural, religious and political diversities for the nation to enjoy peace, which would be a springboard for the needed sustainable development across all sectors.
He explained that there are different causes of conflict among which are value issues that significantly fuels religious conflicts. Others include miscommunication issues, psychological and issues over resources.
Participants at the workshop, through series of exercises, role-playing, and group discussions, practised conflict de-escalation techniques, learnt to identify triggers and also shared experiences aimed at fostering a sense of community and mutual understanding.