It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to the NCMG website, especially during our tenth anniversary and more so because undoubtedly, we are a success story!

I recall with nostalgia the early days of this sterling organisation, especially that very first day at the Conference Room of Aina, Blankson & Co, where on August 16, 1996, I sat with Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, Hon. Justice Rosaline Omotosho of blessed memory, Prof. Itse Sagay, Brig. General Adetunji Olurin, Prof. Isabella Okagbue and Kehinde Aina to birth a vehicle of change - The Negotiation & Conflict Management Group. Ours was a desire to meet a most important need in society and to cause revolutionary change especially within the Nigerian judicial system by the introduction of The Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse Needless to say we all today have every reason to cheer!

Our achievements in the past ten years speak for themselves. The Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, the first court - connected ADR Centre in Africa, stands out even amongst institutions internationally as a centre of excellence. With our brief inroad into the judiciary of Lagos State, we have undoubtedly made measurable impact. Or how else would you explain matters as old as sixteen years resolved in a day at The Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse?  So palpable was the impact of The Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse that the visionary Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Hon. Justice L.H Gummi saw to the replication of the Multi-Door Courthouse concept at Abuja, barely a year after the establishment of The Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse. It is heartening to see other State judiciaries begin to catch the vision and join the train. More encouraging however is that the Court of Appeal has taken its rightful lead with its approval of our proposal for the Court of Appeal Mediation Program (The CAMP).

In the course of the past ten years, our impact has been felt in various spheres of the society. Our initiative has come at a very apt time in the history of our great country when the need for judicial reforms and transformative management of conflicts are at their peak. I am glad we are at this time, of great relevance to the business community, the government's foreign investment drive and the ongoing socio-political transformation in Nigeria.

Our success is without doubt attributable to our united vision and the sheer hard work and commitment of men and women who believe in our cause: our dear members and staff at the Negotiation & Conflict Management Group, and most importantly the grace of the Good Lord.

Where next is NCMG headed from here? With every sense of humility and foresight and I make bold to say "The very top".

With Kind regards
Hon. Justice Kayode Eso.