Speaker of the State of Osun House Assembly, Rt. Hon Timothy Owoeye has described conflict resolution and peaceful co-existence in the society as a major determinant of National Development.
Hon. Owoeye who stressed that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of chaos and violence explained that the economy will also take a tumble if the option of conflict resolution is not adopted before it turns violent.
The Speaker stated these while declaring open a 3-day training on “Conflict Sensitivity Approach To National Development” put together by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Osun Ministry of Planning, Budget and Development held in Ede.
Speaking further at the programme organized for the State Executive Council Members and the state Legislators, Hon. Owoeye added that part of the reasons why the state of Osun is ranked among the most peaceful in the country is because the State House of Assembly has remained peaceful.
According to him, “I congratulate you for this rare opportunity to attend a training that touches on a very sensitive area which is security. Without security and peace there can not be any meaningful development in any society, that’s why this is important.
“It is our collective duty to ensure that our state and the nation at large remains peaceful for the benefit of all, as stakeholders in government we must continue to make our state peaceful. It is part of the dividends of democracy that we have promised our people.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development, Proff. Olalekan Yinusa stressed that all efforts must be geared towards ensuring that crisis are nipped in the bud before it escalates to total violence.
“We must be sensitive to different areas where crisis or conflicts can arise from, we need to be more sensitive to the needs of the people we are budgeting for, this is one of the ways of managing conflicts.
“One of the major ways to promote sustainable development, build community cohesion, enhance inclusive governance and guarantee local ownership of development programmes is through constructive engagement with all stakeholders particularly the project beneficiaries in all government programmes that affect them”. The University don stated.
In his opening remarks, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr Lealem Dinku said the aim of the programme among others is to familiarize participants with concepts and strategies of peace building, conflict resolution, management and resolution in development context.
Also present at the event were the special adviser to the Governor on Budget, Mr Remi Kolajo, SSA Budget Dr.Bayo Adedokun and Mr Bisi Ogunkale, SSA Research and Statistics Dr Isiaka Olarewaju, Coordinating Director, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget Mr Kunle Akinola among others.
