A three-day capacity-building workshop aimed at equipping traditional leaders with collaborative and alternative dispute resolution (CDR/ADR) skills has been held in Jos, Plateau State.

The training, themed “Empowering Traditional Leaders for Sustainable Peace and Community Justice,” was organised by the Plateau MultiDoor Courthouse (PMDC) and the Tattaaunawa Roundtable Initiative (TRICentre), with support from the Government of Sweden to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). It brought together traditional rulers from six local government areas to strengthen their role in grassroots justice delivery, mediation, and peacebuilding.

In her opening address, Chairperson of the PMDC, Hon. Justice Nafisah Lawal, stressed the importance of empowering traditional institutions to complement the formal judicial system. She noted that the training would equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to merge indigenous justice methods with modern ADR principles.

Speaking on behalf of the NRC, Programme Manager for the Jos office, Mr. Ephraim Hellandendu, urged communities to embrace ADR as a more accessible path to justice, reaffirming the NRC’s commitment to initiatives that empower local actors and foster social cohesion.

Goodwill messages were delivered by Bali D. Namank of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN), who encouraged traditional leaders to apply the lessons learned to strengthen community-based justice.

The workshop’s lead facilitator, Dr. Prince Charles Dickson, a council member of the PMDC, challenged participants to act as “peace architects” in their domains, noting that the sessions were designed not just as training, but as a call to action.

Over the three days, participants explored topics including the foundations of ADR, mediation skills, negotiation techniques, restorative justice, conflict analysis tools, and the role of culture in dispute resolution. Practical exercises, such as role plays, case studies, and a simulation of the Small Claims Court, enabled participants to apply the concepts learned.

The event ended with the presentation of certificates to the participants. Justice Lawal, in her closing remarks, commended their dedication and pledged the PMDC’s continued support for innovative, community-oriented justice systems in Plateau State.