The Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) Enugu branch on Wednesday, July 13, held the third edition of its annual lecture with the theme ‘Stemming the Tide of Agitation & Insecurity Through Mediation’, with Prof. Emeka Aniagolu, Executive Director, Research Innovation and Development, Fides Et Ratio Ltd, Abuja, as the keynote Speaker. It also used the occasion to receive new members.

In his opening address at the event, the Chairman ICMC, Enugu Branch, Nze Dr. Eric Omire Oluedo, FICMC, said that the lecture series is one of the numerous contributions ICMC, Enugu branch, is involved in.

“Apart from the Annual Lectures, we have some other recent achievements which include: The 2019 successful training and induction of 34 High Court Judges and Magistrates of Enugu State as Fellows of the ICMC, Nigeria. The emergence of Enugu branch as the 2020 best branch of the Institute in Nigeria. Despite the Covid 19 Pandemic, End SARS Protests and the associated lockdowns and Curfews of 2020, we successfully trained and inducted 23 high profile candidates in Enugu State. Our richly packaged 2021 Annual Lecture, which was sponsored by S-Mobile and attended by the highly respected Judiciary, the NBA, the German GIZ International etc., received Presidential recognition at the National Convention of the Institute at Abuja, Nov 30, 2021. We also trained and inducted Ten Fellows and seven Central Bank Staff from Abuja amongst others in 2021. We Actively participate in the Annual Settlement Weeks (ESSW) of the Enugu state Multi-Door Court (ESMDC) since its inception. Our Maiden Annual Retreat was successfully held on 12th February 2022. June 2022, we trained Central Bank and INEC staff from Abuja here in Enugu. Arrangements for the training of our remaining esteemed Judges and Magistrates which was approved for last year, is at an advanced stage. Arrangements have been concluded for the take-off of our Volunteer Mediation Scheme (VMS) and our Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Scheme this year 2022, among others.”
Dr. Oluedo stressed that all the foregoing and more were the Institute’s contributions in peace promotion, peace preservation, peace building, peace keeping, peace restoration, peace maintenance and peace sustainability in Enugu state in particular and indeed, in the entire world.
He pointed out that the peaceful environment the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, provided for the citizens of Enugu State and Environs contributed immensely to the successes ICMC has recorded in its projects and programs.
Dr. Oluedo expressed strong believe that the alarming rate of Agitations and Insecurity in Nigeria and the world over, can be solved, “without our respected security outfits firing a shot, but only through Mediation.”
In his speech, the President of ICMC, Dr. Agada Elachi, FCIArb, FICMC, said the lecture, which he referred to as the flagship event of the Enugu Branch of the Institute, is apt as it is to address pressing issues facing Nigeria at the moment. On the topic of the 2022 annual lecture, “Stemming the Tide of Agitation and Insecurity Through Mediation”, he stated as follows:
“It is now common knowledge that Nigeria has been beset with the highest degree of agitation and level of insecurity since independence. There are concerns that we are at a precipice and that things will soon boil over. One of the core mandates of ICMC is promoting dialogue around such issues of agitation and insecurity with a view to help provide the template by which they can be addressed.”

Dr. Agada expressed confidence that the erudite Keynote Speaker, Prof. Aniagolu, would not only help do justice to the theme but would also provide roadmap on how “we can effectively begin to move the focus of our stakeholders to peacebuilding and peacemaking through the mainstreaming of mediation practice.”
He thanked the Enugu branch of the ICMC for its leading role in fostering the alternate resolution option to settling conflicts in Nigeria.
“As at today, ICMC has branches spread out across the country, which provide our members a network to actively practice their mediation skills. I am proud to say that the Enugu Branch has always been and continues to demonstrate its capacity to be a trailblazer. Well-done Enugu,” He said.
Dr. Agada added that the focus of ICMC include the five-year strategic action plan (SAP) which was launched in 2021, to guide the affairs of the institute. A component of the SAP is the Volunteer Mediation Scheme (VMS) which was designed to provide ICMC members especially young mediators with the opportunity to practice their skills and deploy same for the benefit of the society through Corporate Social Responsibility.
He congratulated the Executive Committee led by Dr. Eric Oluedo and members of ICMC Enugu branch for holding another successful annual lecture urging them to key in and support the soon to be launched ICMC ODR Platform/Centre in order to take dispute resolution to the next level.
The Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was represented at the event by Hon. Miletus E. Eze, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State. Other dignitaries present are the Chairman Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Igwe Dr. Charles Nwoye, FICMC (Igwe of Amuri), Prof. Odum Mbanefo, Dr. Uchenna Cyril Anioke, members of the intelligence community, top state judicial officers as well as fellows and top members of ICMC.
Established in 1990 and presently with more than 13,000 members spread across various branches in the country and from different professional backgrounds, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) is a professional body of practitioners in Nigeria that regulates and sets standards for the practice of mediation and conciliation. It also trains and admits prospective candidates into the profession.
The Institute is in the forefront of promoting the use of mediation as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism in the effective administration of Justice, Integration of continuous dialogue and popular participation in policies of governance, promoting peace & harmonious co-existence at home, workplace and society at large.