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Lagos State Ministry of Justice

HAG CHARGES CMB STAFF ON PROFESSIONALISM, INNOVATION, CONTINUOUS LEARNING

‎‎The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, (SAN) has charged staff of the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau (CMB) to uphold professionalism, embrace innovation and continuously improve their skills in the discharge of their duties.‎‎Mr. Pedro gave the charge at the 2026 Staff Retreat of the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau, themed, “From Good to Great: The Mindset and Habits for Workplace Excellence.”‎‎He urged the staff to cultivate professionalism, responsiveness, teamwork, innovation and continuous learning, noting that institutional excellence is not achieved by occasional efforts but through sustained commitment, discipline and a conscious determination to improve.‎‎The Attorney-General further encouraged the staff to utilise the retreat as an opportunity for honest self-appraisal, identify areas requiring improvement and cultivate habits that would enhance their effectiveness and contribute to the continued development of the Bureau. ‎He noted that the nature of the Bureau’s work required its personnel to interact regularly with members of the public, making professionalism and responsiveness particularly imperative. He therefore charged the staff to adopt a people-centred approach in the discharge of their duties, stressing that every interaction with the public should reflect the values, standards and mandate of the Bureau. Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau, Mrs Aderinsola Olanrewaju, said the retreat is an opportunity for staff to reflect on the Bureau’s progress, identify areas for improvement and collectively consider how to move the organisation forward. She noted that, as an agency committed to providing accessible, timely and effective dispute resolution services to the people of Lagos State, the Bureau must continually strive for excellence in its operations and service delivery. Olanrewaju stressed the importance of teamwork, continuous learning, innovation and accountability, urging staff to remain committed to personal and professional development and continually seek ways to improve their performance. She added that every staff member had a role to play in taking the Bureau from where it was to where it aspired to be.‎Also speaking, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Hameed Olanrewaju Oyenuga, commended the contribution of the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau to the administration of justice in Lagos State, particularly its role in resolving disputes and providing accessible mediation services. ‎Oyenuga urged staff to build on the Bureau’s achievements, strengthen their capacity and explore new approaches that would further enhance its contribution to the justice system.‎‎The retreat featured sessions facilitated by Mrs Kehinde Taiwo, Mrs Olabisi Ibitayo and Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, with deliberations and practical activities centred on leadership, workplace excellence, personal development and wellness. Mary MobeeSenior Public Affairs OfficerCitizen Mediation Bureau

Lagos Urges Residents to Embrace Mediation Services

The Lagos State Government has called on residents to take full advantage of the community-based mediation services offered by the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau (CMB).‎‎Permanent Secretary of the CMB, Mrs. Aderinsola Olanrewaju, made the statement while addressing residents at the Badagry Division of the IBILE Stakeholders Meeting held on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.‎‎She described mediation as a safe and neutral space where residents can resolve disputes without the cost, delay, or hostility often associated with litigation.‎‎Mrs. Olanrewaju explained that the government has strengthened the mediation system to continue reducing community conflicts and prevent disagreements from escalating in lagos.‎‎She added that mediators are trained annually to handle Civil matters ranging from family and landlord-tenant disputes to commercial and workplace conflicts.‎‎She urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and local officials to encourage residents to make use of the Bureau’s services rather than resort to self-help, emphasizing that grassroots peace remains a major priority for the State Government.‎‎Keynote speaker, Mrs. Kehinde Taiwo, speaking on the theme “Mediation in Challenging Times – Building Peaceful Communities Through Dialogue,” described the forum as a clarion call for urgent action. She stressed that building peace is not the government’s sole responsibility; every resident has a role to play.‎‎According to her, if community leaders, religious leaders, market women, youth, and families actively promote peace, Lagos will continue to serve as a model of harmony and peaceful communities.‎‎Also speaking, Aholu Whenton, the 1st De Yeyi of Ajara Topa, Topa Kingdom, Badagry, Aholu Samuel Amosu Owolabani commended the Bureau’s efforts in promoting peace across Lagos.‎‎He pledged continued collaboration and promised to further raise awareness among residents about the mediation services.

Lagos Urges Residents to Embrace Mediation Services

‎The Lagos State Government has called on residents to take full advantage of the community-based mediation services offered by the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau (CMB).‎‎Permanent Secretary of the CMB, Mrs. Aderinsola Olanrewaju, made the statement while addressing residents at the Badagry Division of the IBILE Stakeholders Meeting held on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.‎‎She described mediation as a safe and neutral space where residents can resolve disputes without the cost, delay, or hostility often associated with litigation.‎‎Mrs. Olanrewaju explained that the government has strengthened the mediation system to continue reducing community conflicts and prevent disagreements from escalating in lagos.‎‎She added that mediators are trained annually to handle Civil matters ranging from family and landlord-tenant disputes to commercial and workplace conflicts.‎‎She urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and local officials to encourage residents to make use of the Bureau’s services rather than resort to self-help, emphasizing that grassroots peace remains a major priority for the State Government.‎‎Keynote speaker, Mrs. Kehinde Taiwo, speaking on the theme “Mediation in Challenging Times – Building Peaceful Communities Through Dialogue,” described the forum as a clarion call for urgent action. She stressed that building peace is not the government’s sole responsibility; every resident has a role to play.‎‎According to her, if community leaders, religious leaders, market women, youth, and families actively promote peace, Lagos will continue to serve as a model of harmony and peaceful communities.‎‎Also speaking, Aholu Whenton, the 1st De Yeyi of Ajara Topa, Topa Kingdom, Badagry, Aholu Samuel Amosu Owolabani commended the Bureau’s efforts in promoting peace across Lagos.‎‎He pledged continued collaboration and promised to further raise awareness among residents about the mediation services.

CMB Flags Off 2025 Stakeholders’ Meeting, Sensitization Campaign Across Lagos

The Citizens’ Mediation Bureau (CMB) has commenced its 2025 IBILE Stakeholders’ Meeting and Sensitization Campaign across the metropolis.‎‎The Theme of the campaign is “Mediation in Challenging Times: Building Peaceful Communities Through Dialogue,”.‎‎The forum which provides opportunities for key actors and other stakeholders in different communities to come together to strengthen peace building across the state kicked off in Ikorodu on Wednesday, 26th November 2025.‎‎Speaking at the event, the pioneer Permanent Secretary of the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau, Mrs. Aderinsola Olanrewaju, emphasized that the meeting was designed to deepen collaboration across the five divisions of the state known as IBILE while addressing emerging conflict trends affecting families, neighbourhoods, and businesses.‎‎She also highlighted the increasing necessity of mediation as Lagos continues its rapid expansion, and evolution, noting that issues such as family disagreements, landlord-tenant disputes, workplace crisis, and commercial or monetary claims are now on the rise.‎‎According to her “Mediation remains a reliable alternative to courtroom litigation as it saves time, resources, and preserves relationships,” Mrs. Olanrewaju stated.‎‎The CMB’s success underscores the government’s commitment to making justice accessible and efficient for all residents”.‎‎In line with the theme, The keynote speaker, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, former Director of the CMB, provided attendees with practical insights into conflict resolution techniques and the crucial process of de-escalation.‎‎Mr. Ade Ayeni, Vice Chairman of Igbogbo Bayeku LCDA, urged residents to discontinue self-help methods and utilize the CMB’s established and accessible services to address their grievances.‎‎ The Royal Father of the Day, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, appreciated the CMB’s outreach. He emphasized that the Igbogbo community prioritizes effective conflict resolution, which has been instrumental in maintaining local peace and harmony.‎‎The commencement of the sensitization campaign marks the beginning of a broader effort by the CMB to ensure every resident is aware of and can access its free and confidential dispute resolution services.‎‎The sensitization flag-off brought together a diverse group of key stakeholders, including members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), traditional leaders, local government officials, and community residents, including market women and men.