SHATI Trainings

Oladipo Tolani Esq. FICMC, FCIARB (UK)

Oladipo Tolani is a partner at Abdullahi Ibrahim & Co where he heads the Kaduna office.

He obtained his LL.B (Hons) in Law from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria in 1987 and was called to the Nigeria Bar in 1988.

Oladipo Tolani is a thorough-bred litigator with an uncommon flair for both civil and criminal trials; he also specializes in Commercial Law, Banking, Real Estate and Construction, and Public and Administrative Litigation. He was appointed a Notary Public for Nigeria in 1998.

He has served on various boards and until recently as a member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association. He was a member of the Conference Planning Committee of the NBA between 2005 and 2010.

He was recently elevated into the inner bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee of Nigeria.

Oladipo Tolani is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom) and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, Nigeria. He holds the prestigious Diploma in International Arbitration from Oxford University, London. He was the Kaduna Chair for the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators.

Rosecana Galadima Ankama Esq. LLM, FCARB, CEDR (UK) Certified Mediator. 

Chairman, SHATI Governing Body

Rosecana Galadima Ankama is a lecturer with Kaduna polytechnic, department of legal studies. She is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where she obtained her first degree in law, LL.B (Hons) and Master of Laws LL.M respectively. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2000. She developed interest in conflict resolution as far back as her secondary school days when she served as a mediator between friends and classmates. She nurtured her interest in the practice of ADR by attending training at the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators and other ADR processes in and outside Nigeria. She is an ADR expert with a special interest in Mediation and Negotiation. Her drive for mastery and specialization has made her to further obtain a diploma certificate in Negotiation Mastery, Harvard Business School.

Rosecana mediates workplace, a range of family disputes, property, and breach of contract disputes. She also anchors conflict resolution talk shows on Liberty Radio organised by House of Justice, Kaduna. She co-developed a mediation training package for Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators.

She has published many articles on ADR and other legal matters in international and local academic journals. 

She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Nigerian Institute of Chartered of Arbitrators, CEDR (UK) trained mediator, Conflict Dynamics (South Africa) accredited mediator, International Certified Negotiator (Australia), Institute of management Consultants, International Association of Applied Psychology and a Notary Public. She is a listed Arbitrator/Mediator of the Kaduna Multi- door Court House Kaduna state. She is the current Chairman Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, Kano/ Kaduna Branch.

He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Chairman of its Fellows Forum, a Fellow of the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators, a Registered Quantity Surveyor with QSRBN and a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He was a Federal Government nominee to the QSRBN and was the Chairman of its Accreditation Committee, responsible for certifying all Quantity Surveying educational programmes in Nigerian Universities and Polytechnics.

He also served as the Federal Government-appointed consultant to oversee the implementation of the MDGs ‘Quickwins’ project on Health, Education and Water sectors in Anambra State.

He is a listed Neutral with the Abuja Multi-Door Court House of the Abuja High Court and is presently a sitting Arbitrator at the same court. He has served on several court-ordered Arbitral referrals and has also functioned as counsel in several Arbitrations.

He is a construction industry resource person having authored over 40 papers on various construction–related topics. Under Divine Inspiration, he propounded the concept of Mediative Conciliation as a dispute resolution model in the Construction Industry, which model has been adjudged by the Community Relations Service (CRS) of the U.S. Department of Justice, as the best model for resolving school-based hate crimes in the United States of America. This novel concept has now been Trademark- Patented as Anago Mediative Conciliation with certificate N0. 92036.

He has been a very active participant in Engineering and Construction practice spanning over 28 years as a respected Quantity Surveying and Total Cost Management Consultant. He was the Executive Director-Contract/Vice-Chairman with Paul-B Nigeria Plc; a notable building and civil engineering company. He is currently a member of the Infrastructure Policy Commission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and serves on its Roads and Rails sectoral working groups.

Oludare Aborowa LLM, M.Sc ASCMA(UK)

Oludare Aborowa is a trained attorney-mediator and an experienced commercial alternative dispute resolution specialist with over a decade of experience that cuts across various sectors. He acts for a number of commercial clients as well as private individuals dealing with both commercial and private dispute and conflict resolution matters.

He holds a Masters of Law degree LLM in Law and Technology from Tilburg University, Netherlands.

He holds numerous certifications and belongs to several professional bodies and associations relevant to the field of law, alternative dispute resolution, information technology and data protection.

Francis Ojok, LLM., MA., LLB.

Francis Ojok is a highly accomplished individual who has made significant contributions to the field of ADR. As the Founder & CEO of DC Mediation & Dispute Resolution Institute in the United States, he has established himself as a prominent figure in the industry.

With a specialization in international arbitration and dispute resolution, Francis is a skilled lawyer. His expertise extends beyond legal practice, as he serves as a Mediation Coach at Interactive Management Associate (IMA) in Arizona and a Mediation Trainer at Settlement House ADR Training Institute (SHATI). These roles demonstrate his commitment to imparting his knowledge and experience to others in the field.

Furthermore, Francis is a Dispute Resolution Specialist with The District of Columbia Superior Court, Multi-Door ARD Division, where he plays a crucial role in facilitating peaceful resolutions and providing guidance to parties involved in disputes.

Francis’s mediation skills have been sought after in Texas, where he works as a Mediator and Arbitrator with Gogo Mediation, and in the District of Columbia, where he mediates with the Multi-Door ADR Division. He is also a respected member of the Panel of Neutrals at the Settlement House ADR Training Institute (SHATI), further highlighting his standing in the field.

His commitment to professional development is evident through his certifications and qualifications. Francis is a Certified and qualified international mediator recognized by The Netherlands’ International Mediation Institute (IMI). He has received certificates from prestigious institutions such as the International Mediation Campus in Europe, the Washington, DC Superior Court, and other institutions across America.

Francis’s educational background demonstrates his dedication to acquiring knowledge and expertise in conflict resolution. He holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Pepperdine University’s Caruso School of Law in the United States and a Master of Arts (MA) in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence from Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management.

Before his studies in the United States, Francis completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Uganda’s Law Development Centre, building a solid foundation for his legal career. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Kampala International University in Uganda.

Francis Ojok has demonstrated exceptional leadership, expertise, and dedication in mediation and dispute resolution throughout his professional journey. His contributions have helped countless individuals and organizations find peaceful solutions, making him a highly respected figure in the industry.

Sewuese Yaji Aondo is a graduate of Law from the renowned Faculty of Law, Benue State University, Makurdi, a lawyer, called to the Nigerian Bar in 2018. She is also an alternative dispute resolution specialist, a certified mediator and ADR secretary/ registrar, by the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce Dispute Resolution Center ( ACCDRC) respectively with over half a decade of experience in resolving workplace conflicts, commercial  and family disputes.  She is the founder of Prime SPG Legal Consult and Advisory Services, a firm that specializes in Legal Consultancy and dispute resolution services. She is currently the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser for a group of companies and is on the board of trustees and secretary for a number of NGOs. Her areas of practice include commercial law, corporate practice, intellectual property, FINTECH,  and alternative dispute resolution.

Lolia Deal- Oligbo LL.B, B.L, LL.M, ASCMA (UK), is an Accredited Attorney- Mediator with the Lagos Multi- Door Courthouse (LMDC). 

She is also an Accredited Mediation Advocate with the Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates (SCMA) UK. 

She is the Founder & Principal Partner at MITALE LEGAL PRACTICE a full service law firm with a strong focus and a comprehensive knowledge in the areas of Employment & Labour law and Mediation. 

In addition to practicing Law and Mediation, she is also a Facilitator and Trainer with MITALE ADR where she conducts trainings in the areas of Workplace Conflict Management for Organisations, Companies and SME’s. 

Other areas of interest are in Customer Conflict in the Hospitality Industry as well as being a Conflict Coach. 

Lolia also has a keen interest in the promotion of Online Dispute Resolution to help businesses and individuals resolve issues without recourse to litigation. 

Her legal background and common-sense approach gives her a holistic approach to the issues. 

Lolia’s legal background includes a Bachelor degree in Law (LL.B) from the University of Lagos, Nigeria 

Barrister at Law (B.L) from the prestigious Law School, Abuja, Nigeria where she was Called to the Nigerian Bar. 

She also holds a Master’s Degree in International Trade Law (LL.M) from the Queen Mary University of London, England. 

She is a Senior Associate at FOTEFA PARTERS LP (MEDIATORS & MEDIATION ADVOCATES) where she co-mediates on several disputes within her area of expertise and interest. 

She was a panellist at the World Mediators Conference 2022 and was also a Judge & Expert Assessor at Mediate Guru’s 1st International Negotiation Competition which was Hosted by Newcastle University. 

Likewise, she was a Judge & Expert Assessor at the IMC-V-2022 2nd International Mediation Competition. 

Judge & Expert Assessor ALSINC 2022 International Mediation Competition. 

Judge & Expert Assessor ODRC 4.0 International Negotiations Competition 2022. 

She is a member of the World Mediation Circle and runs several Mediation Circles within Lagos, Nigeria where she currently resides.

Lauretta Onwuegbuzie is a Legal practitioner and Executive Assistant to the Principal at FOTEFA PARTNERS LP & FOTEFA MEDIATION ACADEMY.

Lauretta graduated from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos. She is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC).

Lauretta is passionate about spreading the gospel of Mediation in Nigeria.

Isaac Asare is the Director of Programmes and Facilitator at the Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies-IPLS. He is also the current administrator of the Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners (GNAAP) and the Executive Director of the Centre for Citizens Empowerment (CCE). He is a Mediator, Negotiator, Arbitrator, Paralegal, and Peace expert and has one book to his credit: Commercial mediation handbook. As an Alternative Dispute Resolution Practitioner (ADR), he has sat on several cases ranging from Family Disputes, Labour Disputes, Mining Disputes, Commercial Disputes, Land Disputes and other disputes. He has to his credit a Master of Arts in Peace and Development Studies from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, a Certificate in Peacekeeping and International Conflict Resolution and a Certificate in Civil-Military Coordination from Kofi Anan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre, an Executive Master in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies-IPLS, BSc. Management with Computing (Marketing) from Regent University College of Science and Technology, Ghana. He is a member of the ADR International Register and the Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners (GNAAP)

Lloyd has been rated AV by Martindale Hubbell meaning that he has reached the highest of professional excellence and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity. He was an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University where he taught county mediation training programs. Lloyd frequently lectures of landlord/tenant disputes, small claims disputes and mediation.

Lloyd is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association where he is the co-chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and is a member of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association where he is the co-chair of the Mentorship Committee. Lloyd is serving his fifth term on The Florida Bar Small Claims Rules Committee and is the former Chair. He is an approved program mediator for The Florida Bar assisting attorneys and their former clients to resolve their fee disputes. The Florida Bar’s Grievance Mediation program is provided at no charge to help clients and attorneys solve disputes. Established in 2004, the program is governed by Chapter 14 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and offers attorneys and former clients the means by which to resolve their fee disputes outside of the civil court system. Lloyd serves on Grievance Committee “F” of The Florida Bar in the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County, Florida. The disciplinary process is usually initiated by receipt of an inquiry concerning a Florida lawyer. Local grievance committees are composed of lawyers and nonlawyers and are responsible for continuing the investigation of possible lawyer misconduct referred by Bar discipline attorneys. Additionally, Lloyd is a former Civil Traffic Hearing Officer in Palm Beach County,Florida.

Lloyd was honored to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida to the Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy for a term that expires in 2026. Chapter 44, Florida Statutes, requires the Supreme Court of Florida to establish rules of practice and procedure for court-ordered mediation and court-ordered arbitration. The Court established the Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy to assist the Court in exercising its powers and performing its duties under the statute.

Through Mediation Training Academy, Lloyd’s students have come from Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Nigeria, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas and the United States Virgin Islands.

 Additionally, Lloyd worked internationally with other mediators from Canada, Italy and the United States to train Italian mediators in mediation simulations. Lloyd has lived in South Florida since 1967 and is married to Meryl; they have three children.

Lloyd is the President of Mediation Training Academy, is an Approved Primary Trainer in County Mediation, an Approved Primary Trainer is Circuit Civil Mediation and an Approved Primary Trainer in Family Mediation.

Zechariah Maleeks Junior LL.M, ACIArb.UK

Zechariah Maleeks Junior is a legal practitioner called to the Nigerian bar in 2016 and holds a Master of Laws degree from the prestigious University of Jos.  He is also an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (UK), a Dispute Resolution Specialist, the Principal Counsel at Hydorzon Attorneys, a member of ICC Young Arbitration and ADR Forum, and a Member of ODR Africa Network. He is passionate about dispute resolution with a particular interest in Online Dispute Resolution (ODR).

Joseph George, Founding Partner George and George ADR Group, Florida, USA

Joseph George is a distinguished entrepreneur, celebrated for his exceptional intelligence, perceptiveness, and innovative and motivational mindset. His extraordinary ability to assist others is demonstrated in his outstanding body of work. As an independent, full-time Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator, Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator, business Negotiator, and certified and trained Hostage Negotiator, Joseph is dedicated to ensuring that parties involved in disputes receive a fair and efficiently managed proceeding.

As a masterful mediator, Joseph expertly guides parties toward a mutually agreeable settlement of their disputes, drawing on his wealth of experience and knowledge. His impressive credentials and skill set make him an ideal choice for mediating complex business disputes, as well as matters involving construction or employment. Joseph’s extensive experience in contract negotiations and crisis management further distinguishes him as an exceptional mediator and arbitrator.

Joseph George’s extensive background in negotiating contracts and managing crises situates him in an advantageous position to serve as an exceptional mediator or arbitrator for a wide range of legal matters. With notable experience in handling commercial and business disputes, breach of contract and negligence cases, construction disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, and employment discrimination claims, Mr. George has honed his expertise through a combination of practical experience, licensing, and certification.

His dedication to achieving excellence is evident in the breadth of his certifications, which include ADA coordinator, legal paralegal, workers’ compensation Specialist, human resource specialist, conflict management expert, risk management specialist, beauty professional, and construction project manager. By investing in his professional development, Joseph has become a subject matter expert in these crucial areas and is uniquely positioned to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to any legal matter he handles.

What sets Joseph apart from other mediators and arbitrators is his training and certification as a hostage and crisis negotiator, which further amplifies his ability to handle high-pressure situations.

As a hostage negotiator, Joseph’s responsibility is to defuse situations where individuals have taken hostages or are holding others against their will. He employs his exceptional communication skills to convince the individual in question to release their captives unharmed. His abilities extend beyond standard hostage situations and include negotiations with barricaded criminals, terrorists, and suicidal individuals, with the overarching goal of ensuring everyone emerges from the situation unharmed.

Joseph George has demonstrated his commitment to serving his clients in employment disputes by becoming a certified EEO Investigator, equipped with comprehensive knowledge of EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) regulations and their application. As an unbiased and independent investigator, he leads thorough investigations into allegations of employment discrimination and produces detailed investigative reports and recommendations for leadership.

Mr. George’s extensive knowledge of federal and state nondiscrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, further strengthens his ability to serve his clients’ needs in this area. His expertise in this specialized field is a valuable asset to any client facing employment disputes. In previous years, Mr. George has successfully worked on claims for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, breach of contract, ADA, wage and hour violations, and discrimination. Additionally, he has negotiated settlements on behalf of employers and employees in many cases, thus avoiding trial costs for the clients. Mr. George’s areas of dispute resolution are as follows Consumer Disputes, Insurance Disputes, Collections, Real Estate, car accidents,  Landlord & tenant, HOA & COA, Beauty/ cosmetics industry disputes, Product Liability, construction, labor & employment, workers’ compensation disputes, ADA Americans with Disabilities Act, Partnership disputes, Contract dispute, Lemon law, and all business disputes.

Apart from the business world, Mr. George has a meticulous work-life balance, as he is a devout family man. He currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida with his family and is very hands on with his autistic child. He works closely with an individualized education program (IEP) which helps him to address any therapy for speech, behavior, or sensory concerns his child may have.  He is also a promoter of community service and is an avid supporter of community groups designed to inspire and motivate women of all ages.

Dr. Rita Bossan is an Associate Professor of the English Language with a special interest in the theories of Stylistics, Pragmatics and Critical Discourse Analysis and their application to different fields of discourse.

She is passionate about helping people extricate themselves from embarrassing problems of wrong English usage that arise from ignorance of the rules of grammar and stylistic etiquette; since errors reflect negatively on the speaker’s personality and performance.

Nanchang Janet (Journalist) ASCMA (UK)

Nanchang Janet obtained her National Diploma Certificate in Mass Communication from Kaduna Polytechnic in 2015.

She also obtained a Degree Certificate in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Jos in 2019 as the second-best graduating student from her department.

She is passionate about education which led her to undertake a Professional Diploma in Education course in order to become a certified professional teacher. Nanchang Janet also holds a Diploma in Computer Application and she specializes in MS Word. 

She served as a Litigation Secretary to F.I. Salami & Co. for about a  period of five (5) years and has been the Litigation Secretary and Human Resource Personnel to N. Nanchang & Co. since 2017 where she gained the art and skills of drafting legal instruments; legal processes, sale agreement, deed of assignment and letters.

In utilizing her Mass Communication skills, she worked as a Direct Sales Agent for Fidelity Bank Plc.

She loves investigative journalism which led her to carry out her media/ industrial attachment with the Ministry of Information and Home Affairs, Kaduna State and with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Kaduna State where she served in the News Room. 

She is also passionate about spreading the gospel of ADR as well as representing clients in Mediation proceedings, consequent upon which she undertook the Mediation Advocates/Advisors training with the Standing Conference of Mediation Advocate and she is duly inducted/certified as an accredited Associate Mediation Advisor, United Kingdom (ASCMA, UK).