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Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc on Wednesday trained leaders from over 29 of its host communities in Edo, as part of efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communities cut across Ovia South West, Ovia North East, and Uhunmwonde Local Government areas.
The training, held at the company’s facility, focused on addressing leadership-related conflicts and strengthening communal governance.
Some of the key solutions proposed included rotational leadership, engagement of third-party mediators, and decentralisation of power within community structures.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of the firm, Dr Graham Hefer, who was represented by the company’s Human Resources Manager, Mr I.K.Osunbor, emphasised the importance of collaboration between the company and host communities.
“We understand that peaceful coexistence is essential for both our operations and the development of our host communities.
“This training is part of our continuous investment in people, not just infrastructure,” Hefer said.
In a keynote lecture titled: “Truthful Dialogue for Peaceful Coexistence and Community Development,” Mr Monday Kalu, Executive Director of Greenyouth Environmental Sustainability Network, stressed that sustainable development thrived in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect.
“Social stability is the foundation for progress. If communities and companies work in synergy, they can unlock vast opportunities for growth,” Kalu said.
During an interactive session, the company’s Communications Officer, Mr Fidelis Olise, identified poor leadership structures, disputes over tenure, and boundary disagreements as major triggers of communal unrest.
“Many crises stem from contested leadership and lack of inclusive dialogue.
“These are gaps we can address through shared responsibility and transparent structures,” Olise noted.
Meanwhile, participants unanimously agreed that rotating leadership, respecting traditional boundaries, and fostering inclusive dialogue were critical steps to resolving internal disputes.
Chief Daniel Agagha from the Ofunama community, lauded the initiative, calling it timely.
“This training is exactly what our communities need right now. Leadership crisis have divided us for too long,” he said.
Benard Osifo from the Ekpan community lauded the oil company for going beyond business by investing in the people.
Osifo said the action was a “true corporate responsibility. (NAN)
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