Ufuot Akang-Uyo
A one day Akwa Ibom State Quarterly Conflict Prevention and Mitigation Dialogue has ended in Uyo with stakeholders identifying, analyzing key drivers of conflicts and recommending strategies to mitigate them
The event held at Rosmorh Gold Hotels, Ewet Housing, Uyo the Akwa Ibom state capital was put together by USAID- Nigeria State 2 State Activity.
Key Drivers of Conflicts
The State Team Leader, Mr. Borve Paago- Imabel said the workshop was a platform to interface, exchange ideas with focus on public financial management , procurement, monitoring and evaluation related to the delivery of services in key sectors of basic education, primary health care and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
Mr. Paago-Imabel said there has been a huge gap in the health sector that affects the common man in the society which demanded state actors to address them and expressed satisfaction that through thier activities in the USAID- Nigeria State 2 State Activity, a lot have been achieved in helping to strengthen accountability, transparency and effectiveness in government.
A conflict specialist, Cosmos Dinee in his presentation at one of the technical sessions gave an overview of key drivers of conflicts identified in midline CAF and their impacts on the peace and stability of the state.
He listed land disputes and natural resources, cultism and cult activities as well as political and electoral activities as some of the key drivers of conflicts.
Mrs Munachiso Odulana another resource person who took on the technical session on “Participation and Role of Women in Conflict Prevention and Mitigation” said women participation is essential in peace process.
According to her, women mitigate and resolve conflict by showing respect and empathy which facilitate resolutions.
Mrs Odulana recommended women engagement of children early in building values for peace as well as called for formation of network of women in peace building and conflict mitigation in order to continuously speak up against violent behaviours in spouses, children and other family members.
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Goodwill messages were received at the event from, the State Coordinator, President’s Malaria Initiative for States, Mr. IMe Akpan and Mr Bassey Nsa of Breakthrough Action Nigeria.
participants in the seminar were drawn from civil society group, FIDA, Ministry of Information, Local government and chieftaincy Affairs, Alternative Dispute Resolution, among others.
