PIND establishes conflict-prevention council in Akwa Ibom’s Onna

The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta has inaugurated an eight-member Conflict Prevention Council in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Premium Times reported. The council was inaugurated on September 26 as part of a peacebuilding programme in the oil-producing area. About 30 participants from Onna’s four clans also took part in training on mediation, early warning and early response mechanisms, and conflict-management strategies.

The programme was chaired by Emmanuel Ikpe, a criminology and peacebuilding consultant from Eket. PIND peacebuilding consultant Kufre Essien facilitated the capacity-building session. The council members are Nwaowo Raymond Inyang, Etebom Itiat, Aniefiok Ekim, Friday Inyang, Imoh Eshiet, Maria Etuk, Regina Udonsek and Wilson Akpan.

The wife of the paramount ruler was also listed among those inducted. Paramount Ruler Raymond Inyang thanked PIND and said the council would work with the traditional institution to prevent conflicts, promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen unity among the four clans. He pledged continued support from the traditional institution.

The inauguration follows calls for sustained investment in conflict prevention in Akwa Ibom. A state conflict prevention council previously described peace in the state as relatively stable but fragile, citing land and boundary disputes, chieftaincy tensions and youth-related issues as continuing risks. PIND’s model relies on community leaders and other influential people to identify early signs of conflict, facilitate dialogue and support timely responses.

The source material also identifies environmental and socio-economic concerns in Onna, including disputes involving land, oil operations and community development.