Lagos State Government on Friday said its Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) has resolved 130,002 dispute cases in the last 10 years.
The government said out of the 157,270 matters handled by the CMC in the last 10 years, 130,002 matters were resolved amicably without litigation, which represented 83 per cent success.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem who addressed a news conference to commemorate the 2017 United Nations International Day of Peace slated for 21 September, in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, added that over N4 billion was also recovered for those who came forward for assistance in monetary matters.
Kazeem said some of the cases handled were issues relating to land, workplace dispute, monetary claim, compensation, family and criminal, among others.
He stated that the International Day of Peace would be marked in collaboration with United Nations Information Centre, with the theme, “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity,” adding that activities meant to celebrate the day included a walk for peace cum legal clinic on September 18 and 19 and a stakeholders’ conference and book launch on September 21.
The Attorney General, who was represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Funlola Odunlami said the theme of the event aimed to highlight the importance of all segments of society to work together to strive for peace.
“The United Nations has been able to achieve its laudable programmes through the thousands of partnerships each year with governments, civil society, the private sector, faith-based groups and other non-governmental organizations,” he said.
Kazeem maintained that Nigeria like every other countries in the world at this particular time needed peace in all its constituents to enable the concept of the Sustainable Development Goals prosper and have a positive impact on humanity.
“In the light of this, Lagos State, as a leading State in the country therefore believes that in commemorating this day, it would join the rest of the world in bringing to the fore the need for peace. As stakeholders, we seek support in giving these events the wide media coverage it deserves.
“The Citizens’ Mediation Centre has since 2017 commenced collaborations with the United Nations Information Office to mark the International Day of Peace as an annual event to propagate the ethos of peaceful co-existence among residents in Lagos State, thereby educating and sensitizing the public on the need for peaceful co-existence and respect for human dignity to engender socio-economic growth.
“Mediation is a process that has become globally accepted and conforms with the constitutional responsibility of government to promote peace within the State. You are hereby encouraged to avail yourself of the free legal services offered by the Citizens’ Mediation Centre in amicably resolving all disputes as they may arise.
“Currently, the Centre has 18 units spread across the State with the head office at Motorways Centre, Alausa. Other sub offices are located at Agege, Amukoko, Badagry, Bariga, Epe, Eredo, Iba, Ibeju Lekki, Ikorodu, Ikotun, Ikosi-Ejinrin, Lagos Island, Alimosho, Ojokoro, Ojo, Oshodi and Yaba respectively. However, part of the policy thrust of this Government is to ensure that a Unit of the Centre is established in all Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State in order to bring mediation services closer to the people, especially the indigent at no cost to them,” Kazeem explained.
PM NEWS
