10/02/2026
BUILDING BRIDGES: A RECAP OF OUR PEACE & CONFLICT RESOLUTION FELLOWSHIP.
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt West believes that peace isnโt just the absence of conflict; itโs the presence of understanding.
This past Monday, we gathered at Nevada, Sani Abacha Road, for a transformative session on how to be "Peace Ambassadors" in our daily lives.
In line with the Rotary International focus for February, "Peace & Conflict Resolution", we considered the theme: Promoting Peace in Our Home, Work Place, and Community.
Our President, Rtn. Gloria Anuri Akwarandu Ohia , opened the evening with our call to order, Rotary prayers, reminders, songs and then introduction of our guest speaker, Olawunmi Omoniyi, MICMC, MGAN.
As a seasoned mediator, Olawunmi didn't just give a speech; she gave us a toolkit for harmonious living.
Key Insights: The "Peace Toolkit" for Everyone.
Here are the vital lessons Olawunmi shared on resolving conflicts across the three pillars of our lives:
1. Peace at Home: The Foundation
Active Listening: Conflict often starts when we listen to respond rather than to understand. Olawunmi emphasized that "feeling heard" is often the first step to de-escalation.
Emotional Intelligence:Peace begins with self-regulation. Recognizing your own triggers prevents a small disagreement from turning into a household crisis.
2. Peace in the Work Place: Professional Harmony
Interests vs. Positions: In professional disputes, we often get stuck on our "position" (what we want). Olawunmi taught us to look for the "interest" (why we want it). Finding common interests is the secret to win-win collaborations.
Depersonalizing Conflict: Address the issue, not the person. By focusing on the problem at hand rather than attacking a colleagueโs character, we maintain a healthy office culture.
3. Peace in the Community: The Ripple Effect
Tolerance and Diversity: Community peace is built on the pillars of tolerance. Respecting different cultural and social backgrounds is the "social glue" that prevents friction in our neighborhoods.
Proactive Engagement: Don't wait for a crisis. Peace is maintained through consistent, small acts of kindness and open communication with those around us.
The "Question and Answer" session was a highlight of the night. Members asked tough questions about navigating difficult workplace hierarchies and managing family dynamics. Olawunmiโs responses were grounded in the principles, offering practical, "non-combative" communication techniques that we can all use immediately.
To conclude this impactful session, our Project Chair, Rtn. Ugochukwu Nwachukwu, presented a beautifully framed Four-Way Test to Olawunmi Omoniyi.
It served as a powerful reminder that if we apply these four questions to our conflictsโ"Is it the truth? Is it fair? Will it build goodwill? Is it beneficial?"โmost disputes would dissolve before they even began.
The Takeaway: Peace is an active choice, not a passive hope.
Letโs take these lessons and turn our homes, offices, and communities into zones of peace!
Rotary International D-9141 e-community