By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN — GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has set up a peace and conflict resolution committee with a mandate to reconcile and mediate between warring communities in the state.

Inaugurating the committee, headed by Chief Eduwu Ekhator, the Obasogie of Benin Kingdom, the governor said: “If we can nip in the bud any sign of discontent, disagreement and tension, we could save the police the task of having to mobilise men and materials to manage riots. We recognise that as government we cannot maintain peace without the support of the people. There are all sorts of conflicts within communities and sometimes, interest groups and all sorts of possible discontent and even within associations, there are all sorts of conflicts and areas of potential conflicts. Conflict is as old as the society.

“There is nothing surprising if we find that within families,  local governments and among royal fathers, that we sometimes have disagreement and discontent. What will be strange is if we do not have enough men of goodwill to rise to the occasion in order to mediate, reconcile and build bridges and ensure that there is peace and harmony.

“We recognise that along the areas of conflict, there can be groups or individuals, who can be more familiar to our history, traditions and sometimes old boundaries where they exist, and any of those that usually result in disagreement. So, when the Royal Majesty suggested that we set up this committee, we readily agreed,” he said.