Institute urges new members to promote peace, resolve conflicts
Institute urges new members to promote peace, resolve conflicts
The Institute of Chartered Mediators & Crabologists of Africa (ICMCA) has urged newly inducted members to promote peace, manage conflicts responsibly and uphold professional standards.
The institute’s President, Prof. Faith Adelana, gave the advice at its sixth Membership Induction Ceremony and Awards in Lagos on Friday.
The event also featured the investiture of Dr Adebisi Osoba as the institute’s Patroness-in-Chief.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that ICMCA is an interdisciplinary professional body offering certification and training in peace and conflict management, guidance and counselling.
Its areas of focus also include Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and crabology, which examines crab-like behavioural patterns to aid the understanding of human character and conflict.
Adelana urged members to focus particularly on religious organisations and the political space, where disagreements, rivalries and leadership struggles could escalate into litigation, violence and loss of lives.
The founding president said many conflicts could be resolved through dialogue, negotiation, reconciliation and professional mediation before becoming destructive.
He said the institute would promote mediation as a dignified alternative to unnecessary court battles, prolonged disputes, violence and avoidable killings.
Adelana said the institute would strengthen advocacy programmes across its various zones and countries to advance its peacebuilding objectives.
“As a peace mediator, negotiator and member of the Institute of Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria, I observed recurring patterns of human behaviour that often fuel conflict,” he said.
He said his work in crabology had revealed how envy, sabotage, unhealthy competition and the tendency to undermine others complicated relationships and disputes.
“It became clear that integrating crabology into mediation would provide a stronger framework for understanding and resolving conflicts. That vision gave birth to ICMCA,” he said.
Adelana said the institute had grown into a professional movement with a presence in at least eight countries.
He said the growth underscored the need for peace, reconciliation and responsible conflict management beyond national boundaries.
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The president said ICMCA had introduced compulsory professional training programmes for fully registered and inducted members.
He listed the programmes as the Professional Foundation Course, Professional Advanced Course and Professional Institutional Course.
According to him, the programmes would equip members with the competence, skills and ethical discipline required to complement their professional titles.
Also speaking, the guest lecturer, Prof. Olufemi Lawal, urged the institute to be present wherever peace was threatened.
Lawal called on members to build a culture of peace in churches, mosques, schools and communities.
He urged them to uphold honesty, integrity, competence, impartiality and respect for human dignity in their professional conduct.
“Wherever conflict exists, let your presence contribute to peace rather than escalation,” he said.
Osoba, the newly invested Patroness-in-Chief, pledged to use her influence to create platforms for peace talks and facilitate the institute’s engagement with religious organisations and large gatherings.
She also promised to support the institute’s activities and growth to help it achieve greater milestones.
“I do not take this honour for granted. I accept this responsibility with a strong sense of commitment, and I see this not just as a title but as a call to service, support and partnership,” she said.
Osoba reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the institute’s vision of promoting mediation and peace across Africa.
VMT NEWS reports that the ceremony featured the induction of new members and the presentation of awards to members in recognition of their outstanding achievements and performance.
