Disturbed by violent attacks and illegal activities of land grabbers in Ogun State, an estate developer, Adewale Osokoya, has urged a parley with community leaders and traditionalists on ways to end the menace.

Osokoya, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Celebrity City Estate, stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting with some chiefs and traditionalists in Odogbolu, the headquarters of Odogbolu Local Council of Ogun State.

He said the meeting became essential, considering the usefulness of land in the economic development of any nation.

“We have come to discuss how we can involve community leaders in ways to resolve disputes arising from land matters through an alternative dispute resolution model.

“This is one of several different processes used to resolve disputes between parties, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, collaborative law and litigation,” he said.

He moved for the involvement of community leaders like the monarch, village head, and traditionalist before a prospective land buyer goes into any negotiation with anybody before buying lands at all.

“If these people are involved, when any issue arose from the transactions, they will be readily available to defend and speak out.

Speaking on Celebrity City Estate, Prince Osokoya said the estate, city is aimed at redirecting the aspirations of Nigerian youths by immortalizing credible achievers, by naming streets, gardens, parks, and recreation centers after exemplary Nigerians.

“The Estate, covering over 1000 acres within Arepo and Ishawo in Sagamu local government area of the state, has a long list of Nigerian legends, both living and deceased, whose achievements in various fields such as sports, entrepreneurship, education, industrialization, politics, and security services, among others, are seen as capable of inspiring human capacities development in profitable ventures and redirecting the energies of the youths from criminal activities.”

He then called in the community leaders to see the project as a way of ensuring a better way of life for the people.

The Tami of Odogbolu, HRH Oba Engr. Leke Oludipe thanked Prince Osokoya for the move saying that alternate dispute resolution has been an effective way of solving major and minor issues without creating bias.

Oba Oludipe who is also the Obanire of Ijebuland said conflicts arising from matters can effectively be resolved through the help of traditional/community leaders, which include kings, Baale, Oloja(Alagemo), Oloritun, family head, family youth leaders and family members

His words: “The issue of land is best resolved by traditional means, thereby creating no cheating. The Chiefs know the story of every community. So traditionalists must be carried along.
He said as one of the arbitrators, he had helped in solving over 30 major issues about land matters alone since the beginning of this year.

“We have got not less than 50 of such cases this year alone out of which we have resolved over 30 of them successfully, with this you can see that ADR which we inherit from our forefathers has never failed in settling issues if properly administered.

“Before the modern law system, Alternative Dispute Resolution has found its root in many traditional societies before and after civilization. Different societies and traditions had their means or ways of solving disputes.”

He said for any economic development, there must be peace. When there is a crisis, the economy won’t be developed, that’s why we must allow peace to reign in all land dealings.