The Citizens’ Mediation Centre, an initiative of the Lagos State Government to resolve disputes amicably between parties, has registered 33,670 matters between January and August this year.

The Lagos state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, who said this, explained that out of the number, 18,982 were mediated and resolved, while 4,701 matters were adjourned and referred to other government agencies for further processing.

He added that a total sum of N829,110,220 have also been recovered for parties through mediation.

Kazeem spoke at a press conference to commemorate the 2018 United Nations International Day of Peace and CMC Stakeholders’ Conference in Alausa, Ikeja on Wednesday.

He said, “The CMC is an initiative of the Lagos State Government under the state Ministry of Justice to serve as a non-adversarial dispute resolution centre for residents in the state.

“The theme of the conference, which will commence on Monday is, ‘Right to Peace: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70’.”

Kazeem, who was represented by the Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Funlola Odunlami, said the International Day of Peace would be observed all over the world on September 21 as an annual day of non-violence and ceasefire, education and public awareness in issues related to peace.

“The existence of peace in any society is germane to democracy and a panacea to socio-economic development and growth; peace is what the world needs at this time to promote bilateral partnerships among nations.

“The sustenance of human rights will eradicate acrimony and entrench self love and mutual respect among citizens, which in the end contributes to  global peace.

“Nigeria, like every other country in the world, at this particular time needs peace in all its constituents to enable the concept of the Sustainable Development Goals to prosper and have a positive impact on humanity.

“In the light of this, Lagos State as a leading state in the country, believes that in commemorating this day, it would join the rest of the world in bringing to the fore the need for peace and respect for human rights”, Kazeem said.

The commissioner said the event would commence on Monday with a walk for peace and free legal clinic both in the Ikeja and Alimosho areas on Monday and Tuesday and would climax on Friday with the commemoration of UN International Day of Peace and stakeholders conference in Ikeja.

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