PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY OFFICE EMPHASIS ON PEACE AS A MECHANISM FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION AT THE ALL NIGERIA EDITORS’ CONFERENCE 2017, PORT HARCOURT

The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd) has stressed the need for peace as a mechanism for conflict resolution in the country, pointing out that poor communication or absence of communication could easily escalate conflicts between rival parties in conflicts.

Speaking through his Personal Assistant on social media, Mr Jude Gbaboyor, from the sidelines of this year’s “All Editors’ Conference” at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt on Friday (September 23, 2017), Gen. Boroh, maintained that meaningful exchange and sharing of information can help in no small measure in resolving crises with a view to building confidence between parties involved in conflicts.

“The truth is that poor communication or lack of communication can escalate conflict situations, but being able to talk about the nature and type of the conflict actually helps to diffuse tensions, fears, suspicions and engender the positions, interests, needs and feelings of the two parties in a conflict situation”, he said.

General PT Boroh reiterated that most of the non-violent approach of conflict management, such as collaboration, negotiation and dialogue as well as third party interventions, like mediation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication, are largely dependent on effective peace communication.

According to the Special Adviser, in a situation whereby parties involved in conflicts could discuss the very issues causing the conflict , with genuine purpose of finding a lasting solution of the conflicting situations, envisages that the resolution of such conflicts is at sight.

“Therefore, peace communication is a potent and effective non-adversarial and acceptable means of preventing and resolving conflicts, if only the concerned parties realize it as ingredient of peace”, Gen. Boroh maintained.

While commending the Nigeria Guild of Editors for its commitment to national unity, he said the theme of this years’ conference which is “Nigeria Media: Balancing Professionalism, Advocacy and Business”, described the role of peace communication as very powerful proactive method aimed at preventing the occurrence of further conflicts, while the lack of peace communication or poor communication aggravates already strained relationships between parties in conflict situations.

The General added that “to prevent conflicts, there is needs for peaceful exchange and sharing of vital information in order to remove doubt, suspicion to build confidence”, saying that peaceful interactions and relationships with other people involved in conflict situations are essential ingredients for resolving the conflicts.

The Amnesty boss further stressed that most conflict situations arise as a result of wrong perceptions, assumptions, stereotypes, and attitudes, which have been built up by the parties in conflicts over the years. He therefore urged the media to employ effective communication strategy in the discharge of their duties as gate keepers of information, informing that peace communication could be employed as a veritable tool or mechanism to entertain, appeal, inspire, comfort, appreciate, build, enlighten, educate, establish cordial relationship, settle disputes and make peace with people or communities; in order to generate peace or to resolve conflicts.

Gen. Boroh noted that effective communication relates to the presence and sharing of accurate information management about a conflict situation, being able to talk about feelings and concerns of parties, speaking about what parties would like to change, and discussing the nature and type of the conflict, touching on the positions, interests, needs, and fears of parties towards resolving conflicts, adding that among the non-violent methods of conflict management and resolution is the application of effective communication in resolving disputes.

The Presidential aide said that peace is a desirable condition but conflicts are inevitable in any society, informing that use of peaceful language, information and peace communication are very essential tools and mechanisms in promoting, preventing and resolving conflict situations, even as negotiation or dialogue can only take place where exchange and sharing of information management is possible.

Piriye Kiyiramo

For Head Media and Communication, Presidential Amnesty Office

September 23rd,