A Special Mediation Accreditation and Certification Course has commenced at Toscana Hotel, Enugu. It is being Organized by Pens and Voices Limited, in collaboration with Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC). The training which began on Monday 13th October, 2025, brings together professionals and stakeholders from various sectors to enhance their skills in alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
The training, coordinated by Uchenna Cyril Anioke, is designed to equip participants with modern mediation techniques, conflict management strategies, and practical approaches to peaceful dispute resolution in professional and community settings.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Anioke, a mediation expert underscored the significance of mediation in fostering peace, harmony, and social cohesion. He noted that mediation serves as a vital tool in decongesting the courts, promoting mutual understanding, and ensuring sustainable conflict resolution in both private and public sectors.
He noted that developing competence in mediation not only fosters peace and harmony but also contributes to national development.
According to the organizers, the certification course aims to promote a culture of dialogue and understanding in resolving conflicts, thereby reducing the burden on conventional court systems.
Dr. Ambrose Igboke, who is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), highlighted on the Spectrum of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Effective communication .
On the diverse “Spectrum of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR),” Igboke emphasized the importance of understanding the various mechanisms available under ADR, including mediation, conciliation, negotiation, and arbitration, as effective tools for managing conflicts outside the courtroom.
Continuing, Igboke, also lectured on the topic “Effective Communication in Mediation,” noting that mediators must develop active listening skills, empathy, and clarity in expression to manage disputes effectively.
Igboke’s lecture formed part of the ongoing mediation certification course hosted by Uchenna Cyril Anioke, which brings together legal practitioners, administrators, and professionals from diverse sectors seeking to enhance their skills in conflict resolution.
Speaking on “Conflict Analysis,” Dr. Pat Ndu, who is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) emphasized that understanding the roots, nature, and dynamics of conflict is crucial for any mediator seeking to achieve lasting peace.
She explained that effective mediation begins with a thorough diagnosis of the conflict — identifying the parties involved, their interests, positions, and the underlying causes driving the dispute.
According to her, “Conflict analysis helps mediators to approach disputes with clarity and objectivity. It allows for the right strategies to be employed and ensures that interventions address the real issues rather than the symptoms.”
Participants expressed enthusiasm about the course, describing it as timely and impactful, given the growing need for non-adversarial dispute settlement mechanisms across Nigeria.
The training programme is scheduled to run for five days, during which participants will engage in intensive sessions, covering mediation ethics, negotiation techniques, communication skills, dispute management frameworks and certification assessments for successful participants