Mediation key to peaceful communities in Lagos, Says Lawal Pedro
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), has described mediation as a vital tool for fostering peaceful and cohesive communities, calling for its wider adoption as an effective means of dispute resolution.
Pedro made the call while speaking at the Ikeja Division of the IBILE Stakeholders’ Meeting organised by the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau (CMB). He noted that in a megacity like Lagos, with a population of over 20 million people, conflicts are inevitable, making mediation a practical and sustainable approach to resolving disputes.
Tracing the origins of mediation to traditional African society, the Attorney-General explained that conflicts were historically settled through dialogue in family compounds or community gatherings. He said elders often brought disputing parties together to reach mutually acceptable resolutions, a process that promoted harmony, peace, and safety within communities.
Reinforcing the Attorney-General’s remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau, Mrs. Aderinsola Olanrewaju, urged residents to embrace peaceful dialogue and trust-building as a means of maintaining societal harmony. She described mediation as “a dialogue-driven, people-centred, and solution-oriented dispute resolution mechanism that strengthens social bonds.”
Also speaking at the event, a former Director of the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau and keynote speaker, Mrs. Abiola Oseni, described mediation as “a powerful innovation for peace,” noting that when peace prevails, all sectors of society stand to benefit.
In his remarks, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, called on community stakeholders to sustain their vital roles, describing them as key partners in expanding access to justice across Lagos State.
The IBILE Stakeholders’ Meeting series forms part of the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau’s ongoing efforts to promote dialogue-driven conflict resolution and the building of peaceful communities across the state.
