A conflict management expert, Dr Olanrewaju Oladeji, says conflict prevention and resolution among market men and women will encourage, improve and grow Nigerian economy.
Oladejo, also a Lecturer at the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan, made the assertions on Thursday at one-day workshop.
It was organised by the Oyo Society for Peace, Studies and Practices (SPSP) on Conflict Resolution and Prevention for leadership of Bodija Market, Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that theme of the workshop was: “Informal and Formal Conflict Management in Bodija Market”.
Oladejo said that the role of conflict in market place could not be quantified, describing market as “a place where we have people of different folks dealing in different trades”.
According to him, our expectation is that where we have different folks from various tribes in a place like Bodija Market, there should be appropriate mechanism in place to check possible friction.
“It’s not to teach them about only conflict resolution, but, conflict prevention mechanism as well.
“Anything that can cause problem among the traders should be tamed by the market leaders to forestall conflict that may not only affect the traders, but buyers as well, before it blossom into pandemonium.
“If there is conflict of interest, there will be problem; the cause of the problem should be solved and tamed to prevent it from spreading,” Oladejo said.
Another Speaker, Mrs Abimbola Akinlawon, urged the traders to learn how to douse tension.
Akinlawon urged them to avoid talking whenever they were angry, saying instead, they should sip water and listen to each other’s complaints later.
Also, Mr Akeem Okunlola, the Chief Security Officer at Bodija Market, said that the workshop was important to traders in the market.
Okunlola said that market was a multi-ethnic place where different people trade in other to earn a living.
He thanked SPSP for deeming it fit to choose the market for the workshop.
Responding, Mrs Adijat Adegboro, an Executive Officer in the market, said the workshop had taught her that fighting has no gain.
Adegboro said, “having absolute peace in the market among the traders is of utmost importance to uplift the traders financially.” (NAN)
