The Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse (ESMDC), on Thursday, inducted 22 mediators to handle Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR) in the state.
The Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse is a court–connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre that provides mediation, arbitration, neutral evaluation, hybrid ADR services and any other ADR mechanism in the resolution of disputes.
Inaugurating the inductees, the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Afojulu Ozoemena, charged them on personal integrity, commitment to impartiality and dedication to continuous learning that would distinguished them as exemplary mediators.
Ozoemena, represented by Justice Reuben Odugu, said that their dedication to this cause would ensure that ESMDC achieved its mission of decongesting the courts and offering alternative means of dispute resolution.
“We expect that you will continue to uphold the highest ethical standards, understanding that the trust placed in you by both disputants and the institution is sacred.
“The justice system relies heavily on public confidence and as mediators, you are ambassadors of trust.
“Therefore, I encourage you all to see yourselves not only as problem solvers but as peace builders in our communities,” Ozoemena advised.
In a remark, the Chairman, ESMDC Governing Council, Justice Priscilla Emehelu Rtd, urged them to see themselves as agents of change that helped individuals navigate their disputes with integrity and respect.
Emehelu, the former Chief Judge of the state, said in line with the planned growth trajectory, ESMDC aimed to position itself as the Alternative Dispute Resolution hub of the region that needed collaboration of all.
She encouraged them to uphold the values of empathy, patience and impartiality.
Earlier, the Director of the Courthouse, Mrs Caroline Etuk, emphasized the importance of Multi-Door Courthouse, saying it was her desire to make ESMDC hub for dispute resolution in the South East zone.
Etuk expressed the hope that in a few years to come, the court would be a household name.
“We want to be a hub in the South East zone and beyond, a reference point where research, expert information and trainers can be available for others in the zone,” she said.
She disclosed that a total of 22 persons were inducted as mediators, explaining that one had to be engaged in 40 hours minimum training with 100 per cent attendance to become a mediator.
“Any person that want to become a mediator has to go through instructions, coaching and assessment and after that, if you want to be on our panel of neutrals, you have to do a minimum of six month mentorship before we admit you.
“These people inducted today, were trained for about a year and anybody from any field of endeavour can become a mediator, after undergoing a training,” Etuk said.
She described mediators as the “key assets” of multi-door courthouse as they provided essential services to Enugu people through intervention in different types of disputes, charging them on standard, integrity and competence.
Responding on behalf of other inductees, Mr Maxwell Orah, thanked all the stakeholders for their support, and promised that they would live up to the expectations and yearnings of the people. (NAN)
